Putting parent in a care facility is not betrayal
Roberta M. Helming
Publication: The Day
Published 04/29/2010 12:00 AM
Updated 04/29/2010 01:01 AM
For many, parents have taken care of us as children and have been there to lean on in adulthood, as nurturers. There comes a time, however, when the difficult decision of placing a parent in a long-term care facility must be made. It's not a betrayal or warehousing situation.
People may have cared for parents with love, creating a reversal of role as nurturer. Attempting to provide care for a parent at home causes fatigue, as it becomes a full-time job. Overall care becomes overwhelming and needs of the immediate family suffer.
Finding a suitable long-term care facility where much-needed, around-the-clock care is received can be effectively realized.
Regular visits from loved ones should be a part of a dignified plan of care. Some can't face seeing loved ones in such a facility and hence stay away. Don't. It's important to know that a parent is living a life of dignity by receiving proper care in a new home, where they are residents, not patients. There's no need to feel bad.
Remember, parents did difficult things in our best interests, and now may be the time to do the same for them, with love and compassion.
I feel it is important to do what we can to make a difference in this world. This is my contribution.
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