Aging is not for the faint of heart. And watching your loved ones age can be difficult, too, especially when you realize that one parent needs assisted living and the other doesn’t. While the decisions that follow will not be easy, there are some ways to navigate this situation with less stress. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some tips from the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association.

Find the Right Assisted Living

With so many options, figuring out the right home for your parent could feel like a challenge. However, by approaching the situation methodically, it can get easier. Begin by considering if your parent has any specialty care needs. For example, if they have dementia or Alzheimer’s, then you’ll want to find a home that focuses on memory care.

After that, you may want to consider the general location. Ideally, your parent needs to be in a community that you and your other parent can access with ease. That way, regular visits are easy.

Beyond that requirement, you should explore other specific points, including:

• Staff-to-Resident Ratios
• Amenities and Programs
• Interaction Quality
• Resident Comfort and Happiness

Paying for Long-Term Care

Factoring in the cost of your loved one’s care facility is important, too. Ultimately, you want to find the highest quality facility that’s also reasonably affordable, ensuring there’s no financial hardship associated with the transition. Unfortunately, most assisted living facilities are expensive, and, as AgingCare.com notes, funding a stay there comes down to only a few options since Medicare does not help cover the cost. It will fund medically-required care, though this is limited. 

Finding the Money

The first option is to rely on savings. This can be manageable if your parents have a sizable nest egg set aside. If that’s not an option, the next best choice is to sell their home. This can make a considerable difference if the home is paid off or there’s a sizable amount of equity in the home. This money coupled with savings can help fund living expenses for both of your parents. 

Selling the Family Business
Many people find themselves in the position of having to sell their parents’ business if they can no longer manage it due to age-related decline. This can be a difficult decision to make, but there are some key factors to consider. Selling the business will free up cash for living expenses, which can be especially important if your parents are no longer able to work and are relying on Social Security or a pension. Selling the business may be the best way to ensure that it remains solvent.

Making the Home Liveable for One Parent

Your senior parent may be facing home maintenance issues that their partner used to handle before entering long-term care, leaving them feeling unsure about how to manage these tasks alone. To help them continue to age in place safely and comfortably, consider exploring the home repair services available through various apps designed for home maintenance and repair. These apps make it easy for your parent to connect with trusted professionals who can take care of repairs and upkeep efficiently. With this support, your parent can maintain their independence while ensuring their home remains in good condition.

Downsizing Your Other Parent

As mentioned above, your other parent may need to downsize or even move in with you as part of the transition. Talk with your parent about their housing needs. Beacon Hill suggests determining if a smaller home could be a better fit or if they would benefit from moving in with you. Additionally, find other ways to streamline their life, such as setting up automatic bill payments, hiring cleaning services, or taking further steps to enhance their quality of life. 

Remain Compassionate

As you assist your parents through this transition, remain compassionate. This transition is emotionally challenging for many reasons. Anxiety, fear, and confusion often occur, as well as loneliness. In addition to a separation, the loss of a family home or business can be devastating. Make sure you focus on kindness and empathy as you help your parents navigate this path. As difficult a time as it will be, leaning on one another can buffer some of the discomfort that accompanies such a big change. 

To learn more about our professional association, visit the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association website today!