If you are like many people, you have found yourself wondering exactly when it is time to put your aging parent into assisted living or assisted nursing home care. While this can be a difficult decision to make, understanding the benefits of various levels of assisted care can help you choose the best option for your situation.

When Should My Aging Parent Move Into Assisted Living or a Nursing Home?

People of all ages have questions about assisted living and assisted nursing homes, but the concern is often even greater when a parent reaches a certain age. For someone who has been a stay-at-home mom for many years, giving up that role to go into assisted care can be difficult. Some parents, however, make the decision themselves to move into assisted living or assisted nursing home care.

When someone who has been living independently and working for many years enters assisted care after a stroke or sudden illness, some people like to keep their loved one at home with around-the-clock care while they heal and regain strength. This is a personal decision that only the family can make.

For others, assisted care is needed because of failing memory or physical limitations. The decision to move aging loved ones into assisted living or assisted care often comes about after careful consideration and discussion with doctors. People who have difficulty caring for themselves due to age-related problems are prime candidates for assisted living facilities or assisted nursing home care.

How Can I Know When It’s Time to Put My Aging Parent in Nursing Home or Assisted Living?

The decision of moving your aging loved one into assisted living or assisted care can be difficult, but understanding the benefits of these options might help you make an informed choice. The main benefit is a convenience for family caregivers. Since assisted care facilities and assisted living communities are designed and staffed to care for people with disabilities on a 24-hour basis, they take the burden of providing daily assistance off your shoulders. This can be very helpful if you have other family members who live at a distance or if you work full time.