Assisted living is always a tough subject to broach. Whether you are considering it for yourself, or you’re looking to help a family member live a better, safer life, it’s definitely a complex thing that requires good communication, research, and the willingness to reach out and ask for help. While there is a lot of fear about changing an aspect of life that we’re used to and starting something new and different, the transition doesn’t actually need to be all that stressful. Every person’s needs are different, but picking something that suits you and your family members can actually be a liberating experience that lessens the burdens and the worries of our minds. To make sure you’re making the right choice, here are five things that you need to bear in mind. Services available What kind of services does the elderly care facility have to offer? Is there an in-house doctor? Is there a physical therapist that can help you stay active or recover from injuries? Is there a barber to help you maintain your hair? Amenities such as grocery store, spa, Wi-Fi, and a good restaurant are something to bear in mind. Think about what kind of things you want to always have access to and prepare a list of questions when visiting a potential nursing home to check whether everything is satisfactory. It is important to find a carer who will be able to meet your exact needs in all aspects of your life. The kind of life you want to lead You have to think about what you want your life to look like in a realistic way. Assisted living is nothing more than a means to an end, a way to help you keep your freedom and stability and make sure you live in comfort and safety where there’s always someone around that can help you. If you want to retain your independence, you will absolutely be able to do that in a nursing home as much as your own house. If you have hobbies and interests, we encourage you to find a facility that lets you engage in those because there is simply no reason not to do all that you were doing before, only with more help around you. Health concerns The biggest question should be about your health and level of independence. Do you need a lot of help with maintaining personal hygiene? Mental health is also important, and children who are taking care of elderly parents whose mental health has deteriorated and need to be constantly watches should look into facilities that provide quality dementia care and are able to monitor their patients properly. When visiting nursing homes, make sure to describe your parent’s physical and mental state to the very last detail to help the care providers determine whether they can provide everything they need. The living space Always take a tour of the home. Look at the rooms, look at the garden, and pay special attention to cleanliness. Is the place neat and tidy? If it isn’t, there’s a good chance the facility is either understaffed, or that there aren’t proper regulations set in place. Check out the common room and the bathrooms as well, look at the furniture used. What is the atmosphere like? Are the decorations restful, can you imagine yourself sitting down somewhere and enjoying a book? You can also approach other residents and ask them about their experiences, ask them about the staff and whether they are organized and caring, whether they’re always available to provide help. Activities available A good elderly care facility will always have a range of different activities and a schedule of fun nights and entertainment. Your social life is important, so look for places that organize game nights, arts and crafts, and physical activities that will keep you fit, healthy, and stress-free. Assisted care is really what you make of it. Remember that you get to pick the kind of facility that suits you, so do your research and find a place that you think you could enjoy.

As you parents get older, you can’t help but notice that they’re less and less capable of caring for themselves, until you realize that it might be time for you to step in. However, it’s not always easy to know when the right time for that is. Furthermore, you aren’t always sure how to react or what to do in certain situations. Here are three challenges you’ll probably experience when caring for your elderly parents and ways to deal with them. Balancing between your parents and your children Being there to fulfill your children’s needs is something you’re used to by now. However, now you have to juggle between being a parent to your children and a caregiver to your parents. Start with making a schedule that will cover all the children’s activities, as well as your parents’ appointments or social calls. If you all stick to the schedule, you will avoid a huge amount of stress. Do some research and learn if there are any support groups or even financial resources for caregivers in Australia that are available to you. If your parents suffer from dementia, it’s a problem when you have to leave them alone to take your children anywhere, so consider asking your siblings or friends for help, or hire a part-time professional. Also, don’t hesitate to give your children some age-appropriate tasks , since their help can mean a lot to you, and it can help build their sense of responsibility, as well as their empathy. And finally, always find time for some self-care. If you don’t blow off some steam once in a while and if you don’t take good care of yourself, you won’t be at the top of your game, which will reflect on everybody in your household. Discussing tough issues There are certain conversations that can be extremely uncomfortable and create a lot of stress, both to you and your parents. For example, if it’s clear to you that your parents aren’t fit to drive any more, but they don’t see it, taking away their keys might insult and hurt them deeply. How do you even suggest that they should start wearing diapers if they refuse to acknowledge it themselves? And is there a way to explain to them that you can’t take care of them on your own? The way you approach these issues is extremely important. You might not reach a solution after just one conversation, but several of them instead. Be gentle and understanding, and try not to force them into anything, but rather work on opening their minds to new options. Do your research and show them only the best of the options you found. If you think your parents need assisted living arrangements, finding an aged care centre can be a good option, where they can choose where and how they want to live and exactly how much help they receive. Communities like these offer a variety of activities for those their age, as well as an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Whatever the topic of the conversation is, make sure that they understand that you only have their best interest at heart and you’re doing everything you can to help them. Balancing between their need of assistance and their independence Once their bodies and minds start giving in, one of the main problems is that they aren’t always aware of the extent of the problem. They are used to making their own decisions and being independent , and now you’re waltzing on the thin line between having to care for them and respecting their right to make their own choices. Although they aren’t physically capable of doing certain things on their own and they might even show some signs of dementia, they are still your parents. The roles might seem reversed since they’re the ones in your care now, but the things aren’t so black and white neither in your, nor your parents’ heads. So, you need to give them as much autonomy as you can, while still providing them with the help they need. If there are things they want to do that day, like visit their friends or even attend an event in Sydney, do your best to make it happen. If you can’t, talk to them and explain your situation, and try to reschedule those activities for another day. Caring for your elderly parents takes a lot of patience and strength. However, there’s no shame in admitting you can’t handle everything yourself. Therefore, both you and your parents should be aware of all existing options and choose the ones that work best for your situation.

Winter is coming. I know that I deal with seasonal depression, especially living in the North where wintertime means shorter days and less sun. Coldness also makes me very irritable. Besides layering up and drinking lots of hot tea, what are some other things that you all do to beat the winter time blues?