You may want nothing more than to be the primary caregiver for your elderly loved one, and you may even feel like it is your responsibility. However, being a caregiver for someone who is having a difficult time caring for themselves can be a trying feat for anyone--even if you have a lot of time to do so. One of the hardest things about being the overseer of an aging senior is knowing when it is time to reach out to an assisted care facility for help. Part of what makes this difficult is the fact that your loved one could be resistant to the change. There are three easy ways you can potentially smooth the transition from living at home to staying at an assisted care facility. 

Start with a part-time arrangement. 

When most people think of assisted care facilities, they think of taking their elderly loved one to a new place and leaving them there permanently. However, assisted care facilities can also be a part-time arrangement. If your loved one is specifically hesitant about going to the facility, start out with a part-time arrangement. This allows you to leave your loved one at the facility for certain times of the day or even for a few days out of the week, and then they can go back home. With time, as your loved one gets adjusted, you can slowly extend the duration of time they spend at the facility. 

Include your family member in the selection process. 

Assisted care facilities differ greatly in form and function from one place to the next. Some offer amenities that may be more appealing to your loved one, such as in indoor pool or fitness area or private rooms with fine furnishings. When you present the idea to your loved one, make sure you take their wants and desires into consideration. Allowing them to help pick the place will help them feel much more at ease with the whole ordeal. 

Allow your family member to take along their personal possessions. 

Most assisted care facilities are fully furnished with the basic things a resident will need, from furniture to personal supplies. However, your elderly loved one will feel much better about making the transition if the room they are moving to looks and feels more like home. You can send them to the facility with things like their favorite recliner chair, a television from home, their bedding, and especially familiar decor, such as wall hangings and family photos. 

For more tips on helping your loved one adjust to an assisted living facility, talk to a professional at Grace Assisted Living.