A Place for Mom

Are you taking care of an aging parent or loved one? There are so many wonderful resources for you to consider when the time comes to take care of an
aging relative. I have written so many times about getting yourself ready for retirement and ways that can help you as you get older, but today, I’m
sharing A Place for Mom, a completely free service that has the resources you need when navigating the process of making a senior care plan
for your aging loved ones.

This post is sponsored by A Place for Mom. However, all opinions are my own.

A Place For Mom

No matter our age, we all strive for and enjoy independence. Even our elderly parents want to live independently in their homes, but at some point, they may not be able to.

At the age of 89, my mother still leads an active lifestyle. She lives independently, has a very active social life, and still drives. I would say that Mom is a very “young” 89-year-old woman. However, as she gets older, she may not be able to live on her own. Forgetfulness, falling, and illness contribute to the conversation that it’s time to find extra care for our parents. Whether it’s in-home care, senior living options, or living with you, these options need to be considered before your parents need a solution sooner rather than later.

When is the Right Time to Discuss Senior Living with your parents?

It can be difficult to recognize when a loved one needs a higher level of care. When my father fell in his home in Florida in 2021, my brothers and I saw that there was something more serious going on than just dad falling. We found evidence that Dad wasn’t taking the best care of himself, which prompted us to look into senior living options for Dad when he was finished with rehab after his fall.

That is why, in 2021, I contacted A Place for Mom to help us navigate through this difficult time. A Place for Mom had wonderful resources and articles that I could read. I worked with one of their dedicated advisors, who took the time to understand Dad’s needs and helped me understand the types of care
available in our area. As a result, my brothers and I were able to make decisions on what type of care my father would need to give him the best quality of life as he got older.

I wrote about this back in 2021. Caring For An Aging Parent: I Am My Father’s Daughter

We made a family decision on what type of living option was best for Dad. In Florida, home care options to meet Dad’s needs can be cost-prohibitive, so we wanted to find the right senior living community. Since none of us were close by, he needed to live near my brother Todd or me. With the help of A Place for Mom, we found a wonderful assisted-living community where Dad was close to us, and he received the daily care that he needed.

But I want to remind you to do your research, investigate the senior living communities in your area, and talk to your parents’ physicians to determine the best type of care they will need.

Mom is still thriving at 89, but there will be a time when, as a family, we will decide together what is the best care for Mom when she needs help. I dread that day, but since my brothers and I have already done this for our father, we are very prepared to take care of Mom.

Until next time!