If you are reading this, chances are, you have recently suffered the loss of a parent – be it biological, step, or adoptive. We offer our sincere condolences. We know how difficult of a time this is for you. If you have an elderly widowed parent remaining that you are concerned about, it is quite likely that the one that just passed away had a hand in caring for that parent and that their death was unexpected. 
For this, we are terribly sorry. We know and understand that you are facing numerous challenges right now. If you are considering assisted living placement for your remaining parent, we would like to help. To start, we will help outline whether or not it is time for your widowed parent to be placed in assisted living.
Caregiving Requirements
The first step in determining if your widowed parent needs assisted living is to consider the previous caregiving offered by the parent you had that just passed away.
Did they help in moving your loved one from one room to another? Did they perform most of the housecleaning? Did they do the cooking? Did they regulate your remaining parent’s medication? Did they provide transportation for your remaining parent?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, it is quite obvious that your widowed parent requires care. Not all adult children are capable of providing caregiving to their parent. Work responsibilities, educational pursuits, family obligations, and even experiencing their own health issues may stand in the way.
If you are unable to be a caregiver for your remaining parent and are unable to obtain a caregiver for them, it is time for assisted living placement.
Activities of Daily Living
The next consideration that should be made when determining if your widowed parent should be placed in assisted living is determining if that loved one has problems completing activities of daily living – often referred to as “ADLs”. These include the following:
- Walking
- Meal Preparation
- Feeding Themselves
- Toileting
- Bathing/Showering
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Managing Finances
- Managing Transportation
- Housecleaning
- Home Maintenance
- Shopping
- Managing Communication – Such as Mail and Using the Telephone
- Medication Management
If your remaining parent is capable of doing all of the above, they may be able to continue living independently; however, if they are unable to do just one of the above-mentioned activities, it is time to look into assisted living placement.
The inability to bathe or shower oneself – for example – could lead to the onset of infections that could threaten your widowed parent’s health. If they are unable to buy and prepare their own meals, malnourishment may occur and other issues – such as falling – may develop.
Assisted Living Placement Offers Many Services
While it may be difficult to come to a point where you recommend that your aging widowed parent is placed in assisted living, it is important that you understand that there are many benefits associated with these communities.
First and foremost, they will have around-the-clock care. These facilities prepare and offer meals, they monitor medications, they provide assistance in bathing, dressing, and grooming, and offer housekeeping.
Additionally, they offer some level of medical services, 24-hour emergency care, recreational activities, and social activities. If you would like more information on assisted living placement, contact us today at: 973-713-0096