Care Link USA

There are over 2 million Americans living in nursing homes or assisted living homes in America today. The entrance of loved ones into these facilities is often looked down upon and certainly depressing, but it is also inevitable for many families. Assuming you are looking into placing a loved one in an assisted living facility, you’re probably struggling with the logistics of when, where, and how to approach the life changing move. Though a small comfort, many others are facing the same problem with you. Claire Berman, a renowned author, tackles many of these issues in her book, Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents. We highly recommend this book if you are beginning the process or see the need for care-giving assistance somewhere in the near future.According to Berman, the patient should be placed in a home when the caregiver decides it’s the right option rather than when the patient feels they’re ready. The most common reasons for placing a loved one in a home are a display of incontinence (lack of self restraint often resulting in involuntary urination or defecation), constant sleeplessness, and dementia (they don’t really know who is caring for them). The time frame that elapses after the onset of any of these conditions varies depending on the family. Many children feel this is their opportunity to give back to their parents. Their parents spent so many years looking after them when they were young, it’s only right to change their parent’s diapers and care for them now that the tables have turned. Other families place their parents in homes the second they realize they’ll have to be changing their parent’s diapers. Often, problems arise when siblings differ in opinions on these factors. When you feel differing opinions between your brothers and sisters start causing problems and tension, the best thing to do is to bring in a third party (like a social worker), who can provide an unbiased opinion.