Life affects different people in different ways. Sometimes, one member of a couple will need the additional support that an assisted living community provides, while the other is able to go about their daily activities without help. What should you do when one member of a couple needs the extra help from an assisted living community, but the other doesn’t?
If one parent needs assisted living but not the other, they’ll probably have to live separately to make sure the partner who needs assistance gets proper care.
Managing partners’ different needs can be complex. Sometimes it means making difficult choices. With our experience, Inspired Living at Alpharetta can give you the right information to help you navigate those decisions, and make sure you and your loved ones get the support they need.
Can My Parents Still Live Together?
In most cases, a person who doesn’t require assisted living won’t be able to live in an assisted living community with their partner.
It’s natural for people to want to stay close to a loved one who’s having difficulties. After all, they’ve chosen to spend their lives together. Their partner cares, and wants to help their loved one live their fullest possible life. They might also see it as their duty as a partner to look after their loved one.
It’s important to remember that assisted living communities are designed for people who need extra help with activities of daily living. Unlike retirement communities, assisted living communities aren’t designed to accommodate a resident’s independent partner. Trying to squeeze the partner in would make it more difficult for the person to get the care they need.
That doesn’t mean your loved one can’t see their partner, though. Most assisted living communities allow visits at any time of day, on any day of the week, to make sure that your parents can still spend time together. Loved ones are always welcome at Inspired Living at Alpharetta.
If your parents have a pet, they might be able to stay with us, too! Inspired Living at Alpharetta understands that some family members have four legs, and we’re proud to be a pet-friendly home.
How Often Can My Parents See Each Other?
You can visit as often as you like! Assisted living communities understand how important it is for seniors to maintain their relationships with their family and friends, and especially their partners. Inspired Living at Alpharetta offers many opportunities for our residents’ families and friends to visit them while they stay with us, and a beautiful campus where you and your loved ones can spend quality time together.
When you visit your loved one at Inspired Living at Alpharetta, you’ll have access to all of our wonderful accommodations. You can have a delicious chef-prepared meal at one of our elegant, casual dining rooms, sip a refreshing drink by the pool, enjoy a walk along the garden paths in our outdoor leisure areas. We also have fitness areas, games rooms, crafts, and more!
If you’d like to see our campus for yourself, our virtual tour gallery will give you a glimpse of some of the most appealing features around the Morris Road campus. You can also visit us in person!
What About My Other Parent?
A decision made by or for one partner in a relationship will always affect the other. One of your loved ones moving into assisted living can affect the other in a number of different ways.
It’s common knowledge that isolation can lead to depression and other health challenges among seniors. If one partner moves into assisted care, the other partner may not have the same amount of social interaction as before. One way to offset this is to make sure that couples can visit each other frequently.
Sometimes, it’s also possible that a person moving into assisted care can put their partner’s mind at ease. The more independent partner might have concerns about whether they can provide the care their loved one needs. In those cases, knowing that their loved one is receiving the appropriate level of care can be a relief for the partner.
A loved one entering assisted care can even be a benefit for their partner in some cases. No matter how much you love someone, caring for a person who needs significant help with activities of daily living takes a lot of time and energy. Helpers need help sometimes, too, and even a short-term stay with us can give a resident’s partner a well-earned break.
Join Our Community
Your parents might be growing older, but they don’t have to grow apart. Inspired Living at Alpharetta will do everything we can to help your parent stay in touch with their partner while they’re staying with us. For more information, to book a tour, or to discuss your next steps, contact us today!
