As an adult with elderly parents, you may feel a sense of duty to care for your aging loved ones and provide them with a place to live as their daily care needs evolve. However, welcoming an elderly relative into the home is not always viable or practical. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of living with family vs. assisted living, consider these common challenges for families who care for their aging loved ones at home.
Living With Family vs. Assisted Living: Complex Care Needs
Seniors face more health risks as they age, which can translate into complex care needs that are not well-suited for family care. For example, your loved one may have mobility issues that make it difficult for them to move around on their own or need assistance with medication dosing at times when you are busy with your own schedule and daily routines. Assisted living communities can provide the support and care your loved one needs, offering options to transition to a higher level of care as needed, such as memory care or dedicated care suites.
Caregiver Burnout
Welcoming an aging loved one into the home means more than simply having another person under one roof. It means providing daily care and assistance to that individual, which can eventually lead to caregiver burnout. If you already have a busy schedule and a family of your own, adding elder care to your list of responsibilities could lead to emotional stress and physical fatigue that begins to intrude on your relationship with your elderly loved one.
Home Safety Features
Most homes are simply not physically designed to address the needs of seniors who may have poor balance, limited mobility, or other challenges navigating the home. While it is possible to make upgrades that better facilitate aging in place, you will find an environment already well-suited to senior residents within an assisted living community.
Choosing between living with family vs. assisted living is a deeply personal decision, but having the right support can make all the difference. When your elderly parents or loved ones are no longer thriving at home, Twin Town Villa can provide a safe, welcoming environment that includes the care and support they need to enjoy many more happy years. Schedule a tour of our Breckenridge, MN assisted living community today to see if we are the right fit for your loved ones.