Moving a loved one to an assisted living community is often an emotional process. You and your loved one are likely dealing with numerous feelings, from happiness and peace of mind to guilt and sadness.
While it’s normal to experience many emotions during this significant life event, dealing with guilt can be particularly tough. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate feelings of guilt, and it’s important to do so before they negatively impact your health.
Identifying Reasons Why You Feel Guilty About Moving a Loved One to Assisted Living
You may feel guilty about moving your loved one to an assisted living community for many reasons. It’s helpful to determine the source of those feelings to better process and overcome them.
Here are some examples of why you be experiencing guilt:
- You’re visiting your loved one less now that they receive supportive care.
- You assured your loved one that you wouldn’t move them out of their home.
- You’re enjoying more time with your family and for self-care.
- Your loved one is struggling with all the change and wants to move back home.
- Your loved one is asking you to be their primary caregiver instead.
- You didn’t acknowledge your loved one’s decline in health until recently.
- Your loved one is upset that you asked them to stop driving.
Overcoming Feelings of Guilt Over Your Loved One’s Move to Assisted Living
Many families feel guilty about moving their loved ones to an assisted living community. It’s important to recognize that you aren’t alone in feeling this way; talking to others in a similar situation can help.
Consider the following ways to overcome your feelings of guilt:
- Find a new way to show care for your loved one. Since you may have served primarily in a caregiver role before the move, it might be beneficial to create a new routine where you visit on regular days each week. You can spend quality time sharing photos or news about grandchildren or topics that interest your loved one.
- Acknowledge the reasons why your loved one is experiencing a higher quality of life in assisted living. Think about the benefits of assisted living care and why you chose this community for your loved one. Ask the staff how they are adjusting and find out what activities they enjoy in the community.
- Communicate your feelings with others. Talking to someone you trust can help decrease the power those guilty feelings may have over you. This could be a friend, family member, or therapist. Some communities may have support groups for families who are going through similar emotions and changes.
- Help your loved one develop a daily schedule as they acclimate to new surroundings and staff. Together, you can write down mealtimes and take note of activities and special programs your loved one enjoys.
- Take a break. Ask your friends and family to check in with your loved one on your behalf for a little while. This respite will allow you to focus on yourself so you can work through your emotions and find a way to heal.
Related: How Senior Living Provides Peace of Mind >>
Life at Sonrisa Assisted Living
If you’re looking at options for senior living, we invite your family to visit Sonrisa Assisted Living, designed to support your loved ones to live their highest quality of life.
We offer studio and one-bedroom private apartments for our assisted living residents as well as private or shared memory care suites for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Our memory care residents are cared for by our compassionate and specially trained team — who meet them wherever they are in their journey with patience and kindness. The residents also have access to customized activities, programs, and an elevated secured courtyard.
Our amenities and services encourage our residents in assisted living to engage with others, remain as independent as possible, and be reassured that help is available whenever needed.
In addition to our personalized services, we offer:
- Assisted Living dining room, bistro and two sitting lounge/living room areas
- Memory Care living and dining room
- Elegantly designed common areas
- Fitness and wellness center with physical and occupational therapy room
- A commercial kitchen
- Barber and beauty salon in both assisted living and memory care areas
- 24-hour on-duty care staff
- Secured community
- Art room
- Multipurpose room
- Large state‐of‐the‐art theater
- A large secured Assisted Living and separate Memory Care courtyard with walking paths
- On‐grade parking for immediate use of visitors and staff
- Dog Park
If your family is considering retirement living, we hope you will visit Sonrisa Assisted Living. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a tour.
You may also download our complimentary brochure to get additional details about Sonrisa Assisted Living.
