Making the decision to place a loved one in a retirement home is not an easy decision. It does not matter if it is an assisted living home or an actual nursing home, it still hurts. Thankfully, there are support groups and services available to guide you through this process.
From helping you decide what type of home your loved one needs to giving you moral support when you feel guilty, these family support services are a huge help. Many services are available from the home that your loved one will be residing in. The following blogs are a good starting point for finding the kind of support you and your loved one need.
- Illinois Care Family Council Newsletter – Information on the creation of family councils in Illinois nursing homes, which helps families be a part of their loved one’s care.
- Learn More about Nurse’s History – Helpful information on where to go to find out information on nurses and nursing homes. Useful for relieving any guilt you may have about the standard of care given.
- Nursing Home Talk – Useful blog dealing with various nursing home issues, particularly a support group for families of Alzheimer patients.
- Paying for Nursing Home Care – Helpful information on various available resources for families that are placing a loved one in a retirement home.
- Education for Support of Nursing Home Residents – Information on a program called Extension that offers education and support for families and caregivers.
- Families Using Technology to Spread Awareness – Information on the use of social networking sites to form support groups to reform elder care.
- Transitioning an Aging Parent to Assisted Living – Helpful information to make the transition easier for you and your parent.
- Living Well Blog – Helpful blog with information on nursing homes, family and caregiver support and other useful topics.
- Home for the Elderly – Information about the frustration when trying to find a suitable home for your loved one and what you can do to make it easier.
- Finding Emotional Support – Information on ways to get needed support when caring for an aging loved one and/or making the decision to move them to a home.
- Emeritus Blog – Blog containing specific information on one retirement home, including their creation of an online resource center for families to get answers and support.
- Family Friendly Fun – Intended for families of disabled loved ones, but containing information and resources for families of aging loved ones.
- Nursing Home Revolt – Information on things you can do to ensure that your loved one gets the appropriate care and to relieve your worry.
- Stress of Being a Family Caregiver – Information and advice on ways to relieve your stress and find support when you are a full or part time caregiver or have made the choice to move your loved one to a retirement home.
- The Business of Aging – Useful blog with specific information on how to arrange for assisted living for an Alzheimer’s patient without the guilt and/or worry.
- Choosing Long Term Care – Helpful information on the process of choosing long-term care, including valuable resources for family support.
- Supporting Families Through the Nursing Home Transition – Information on short and long term approaches to helping families place their loved ones in a home.
- Nursing Home Transition – Information on a helpful program that assists both the resident and the families in the transition.
- Difficult Transitions – Help for families dealing with the grief of having to move a loved one to a home.
- Search for Senior Home – Information on what to look for in a retirement home, including the kind of support available to you and the resident.
- Planning Ahead for Aging Parents – Information on being prepared for moving your parents to a home and resources for seeking support.
- Move into a Nursing Home – One person’s story of moving his parents to a nursing home, including how he dealt with the emotional aspect and got support.
- Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Groups – Helpful list of support groups for families with loved ones suffering from the diseases in and out of homes.
- Family of Resident’s Support Group – Information on a specific home’s support program for families of residents.
- Florida Nursing Home Bill of Rights – Information on the rights of nursing home citizens in Florida, the quality of care expected and resources for families.
- My Better Nursing Home – Helpful blog dedicated to providing information on nursing homes, including information for families and support.
- Caregivers of the Elderly – Information on ways to relieve your worry after placing a loved one in a home.
- How to Select a Nursing Home – Tips on finding the best home for your loved one, creating a care program and what to do after the move (visits, support, etc.).
- Agencies and Organizations – List of places and resources for you before and after moving a loved one to a home, including how to find local resources.
- Does Mom or Dad Need Assistance? – Information on what to look for to determine if your parent needs assisted living and resources to help you make the choice.
- Wesley Homes Retirement Resources – Information on a specific home that provides a high level of support to families, including overnight stays.
- When Is It Time to Move Your Loved One to a Care Facility? – Helpful ways to determine when the time comes to make the move and resources for you and your loved one on making the choice.
- Housing and In-Home Care – Information on choosing the level of care for your loved one, including places to get answers, help and support.
- Lakeshore Assisted Living – Information on deciding if your loved one needs help, comparisons between assisted living and nursing homes, and help with making the difficult decision.
- Actikare – Information on resources for families of aging individuals, including helpful websites and organizations.
- Ten Things to Do for a Nursing Home Resident – Helpful blog from a nursing home administrator, including ways to ease the transition for you and your loved one.
- Suggestions for Easing Tensions – Ways to make life better for your loved one by creating a positive relationship with the nursing home staff.
- Elderly Caregiver Support – Information and resources to help with the caregiving role, including ways to deal with ever having to relinquish to role to another.
- How to Deal with Nursing Home Disputes – Information on what you need to do if you do not agree with the standard of care your loved one receives.
- Nursing Home Care – Information on a specific program that provides support for residents and families.
- Spiritual Caregiving – Helpful blog on all aspects of elder care, including making the choice for nursing home care and where to turn for help and support.
- When Is It Time? – Information on making the hard choice to move a family member with dementia, things to ask yourself and resources for other information and support.
- Long Term Care – Information and resources for families looking for care for their loved ones, including ways to deal with guilt and emotions.
- Coping with Guilt Over an Elder Care Decision – Information and suggestions on handling the guilt of placing a loved one into a home.
- Caring for Mom and Dad – Resources and information for caregivers taking care of loved ones, including making the nursing home decision.
- Transitioning into Elder Care – Helpful ways to make the transition process easier for you and your loved one.
- Moving Your Parent from Home to Assisted Living – Information on how to make the process less difficult for you and your family member.
- The Alzheimer Spouse – A different view on making the choice to place a loved one in a nursing home, including resources for before and after the move.
- Parenting Your Parents – Information on how the roles reverse as your parent ages and how not to feel guilty about the choices you make for their care.
- Caring for an Aging Parent – Help for the process of caring for a loved one, whether you do it yourself or have to turn to a nursing home.
Image Credits: amishsteve
