Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions » Getting started
What if I help my dad make this move and he ends up not liking it and wants to move back to his home?
This is a common fear we all have.
Closing down one chapter of life and moving on to another is a frightening prospect. What you may want to explore with your father and within your family is the concept of "what if dad didn't make a move...?"
The trade-offs are typically compelling. If he were to have a stroke or if he were to fall and injure himself, your options are much more limited if he's living at the time in his own home or apartment.
Altough it is rare, some people do move to Assisted Living, find that they have improvements in their health and energy, and do make a move back to independence. Focusing on the one person out of a thousand people, though, is not likely of help to you. Once your father makes the decision to move ahead with life, it is in his best interest not continue to look back to a lifestyle of greater independence.
If your father recently had a decline in health or energy, you should contemplate how this move may affect him. With proper nutrition, social interaction and support from staff and residents, he may actually regain a lot of independence. For this reason, you may select a senior living environment that affords him the opportunity of moving within a building or adding or deleting services while remaining in the same retirement apartment.
A Referral Agent can help you best with this topic. You should discuss these matters with a person who can give you guidance on both short-term and long-term options for your father.
If your father is just on the cusp of wanting or needing help, you may consider delaying a move; and opt instead to arrange in-home-care services. In-home care can be a long-term solution for some people; and yet for others, it is a short-term solution. For clarity on whether in-home care is a viable option for you, discuss this topic with your care advisor.
For assistance with arranging for in-home care or for help choosing a senior housing or care community call CHOICE at 800-361-0138.
Last update: 2007-03-23 15:20
Author: Support
Revision: 1.1
