When your parents have lived in the same house for many years and raised your family in there- it’s hard to say goodbye. But perhaps they can stay there a little longer. Maybe there’s another solution.
Aging in place is now attainable and for some the best option. Making critical decisions with our parents about their medical and living situations can be difficult. It’s emotional for everyone.
Transitioning into the next stage can be challenging, but must be done. We always think of our parents as our answer provider, our protector, and our shoulder to cry on, but now it is our turn to be the shoulder to lean on. When responsibilities start to reverse it can often be difficult for our parents to accept change. Patience and persistence are vital characteristics we must portray throughout this whole process. Allowing them to stay at home longer can ultimately alleviate stress for everyone involved.
We are naturally accustomed to our parents making their own decisions. When it comes time to help them with those tough living and medical decisions it can at often times become a pain point in the relationship. To help them through this transition, it is important to make decisions together early on and often. If these conclusions are made early on, a lot of stress can be reduced or avoided. There is no instructional manual for these situations, so you must do what works best for you and your loved one.
Lastly, proper preparation and patience will help you overcome this transition. Take advantage of the resources available and rely on others that are going through the same situation.
