It can be difficult to make the decision, but once the decision to place your aging parent in a nursing home or assisted living facility has been made, you now have a whole new list of things to worry about. One thing that may be difficult is your parent's feelings of anger and frustration, which they'll likely reflect onto you. To cope with these changes, and to help your parent cope with their feelings, consider the three tips below.

Seek the Help of a Trusted Family Friend

If you've been discussing plans with your parent for a while, it may help them to hear it from someone other than you.

If you're the only one involved in the process of moving your parent into a nursing home, they'll likely focus their frustration and anger on you. When you bring in a trusted friend, however, you no longer have to bear the burden alone. While it may lead to your parent feeling the anger towards both of you, it can also help them to see that you aren't making the decision alone.

Listen to Their Feelings and Concerns

This is a difficult time for your aging parent. It's important that you listen to their feelings and concerns without trying to fix them.

If you've carefully chosen the facility your parent will be going into and know that you've made the best decision possible, there's nothing else you can do to "fix" your parent's concerns. What your parent needs isn't a fixer, but a listener. This is a time of change, and change can bring about feelings of fear and hopelessness. Allow your parent to vent and cry, all while letting them know you're there for them.

Build a Strong Support Network

While this is a difficult time for your aging parent, it's also a difficult time for you. As you face this transition, you need a support network of your own.

If your family is unwilling to lend a helping hand, there are other ways to seek support. Join a support group for caretakers or seek the help of a counselor. Confide in a close friend or seek the help of a religious leader. It's important that you find your own safe place to vent and cry because while you want to be strong for your parent, you also need your time to break down.

While transitioning your parent into a nursing home or assisted living facility is difficult, you don't have to handle the burden alone. When you allow a trusted friend to help, allow your parent to vent and cry without trying to fix it, and seek out the help of a strong support network, you too can get through this difficult but beneficial transition. To learn more, contact an assisted living facility like Harbor Lights House Assisted Living Inc.

Share