This is my first Local Guide Post and I thought it would be fitting to tell you all about what’s recently happened to my family that has changed out entire world for the better.
We put our parents in a “Nursing Home”
It’s hard for me to even say that now, but not for the reason you may expect. Not because I’m guilty but because its just not true. First of all, we didn’t “put” them anywhere. And more importantly, this is not a “Nursing Home” or a “Home” or a “Place” or any of the other derogatory terms we use to describe these beautiful additions to our society that I now recognize as “Retirement Communities”.
Mom & Dad have lived in the same place for over 50 years, they’ve been married longer and getting them to leave their home was not easy. The staff at The Oaks was instrumental in not only making us comfortable with the move but also helped Mom and Dad see that they weren’t losing their independence or suddenly becoming old & sick or anything remotely close to what they were afraid of. Mom has dementia and has been doing some things that concerned us. And Dad is stressing himself being overly concerned for Mom, things weren’t going in the right direction at home.
They’re now in “Independent Living” at The Oaks and have a corner view apartment that’s just as nice as their home only with way better views. They get minor assistance with some of their daily tasks but most importantly there in a community with professionals around them to make sure that when the day comes that they do need more help, its not flagged with a major catastrophe like a fall or an elopement. They can slowly ease into the “needing assistance” time of their aging and The Oaks has everything there for them that they’ll need.
I could go on and on, but I wont (unless I already have). If you have elderly parents, you should really look into Retirement Communities - do yourself a favor and stop using the term Nursing Home now - and if you’re in the Clearwater area I definitely recommend you check our The Oaks of Clearwater.
Good Luck & thank you so much to The Oaks!
-Matt