Caring for an Aging Parent

Navigating Atlanta's senior living options.

By Antionette Rollins

When Herb Godfrey’s wife died last October, he wasn’t sure what he would do or how he would continue to live in a house full of memories.

“My wife’s death was kind of unexpected because we always planned for me to go first,” says Herb Godfrey, 81, of his spouse’s passing. Soon after his wife’s funeral, Godfrey’s son—who lives just 10 minutes away from Parc at Duluth, an independent living apartment community for seniors—suggested that they look into senior living options. Godfrey has been a resident of Parc at Duluth since January.

“I knew that I couldn’t live by myself,” Godfrey says. “I’ve got to be where people and activities are, which my son fully understood.”

After the family visited Parc Communities, they knew it was the best home for Godfrey. Parc at Duluth provides upscale apartments with an array of entertainment options and amenities, including exercise classes and social activities. Godfrey particularly enjoys the trips to the Fox Theatre to see plays and musicals.

“I’m probably doing a lot more activities now than when my wife was alive because there’s so much planned,” he says. “In fact, there’s so much planned that you can’t possibly do everything, which is a good thing.”

In addition to the numerous activities, Godfrey appreciates the friendly staff and residents, who share similar experiences.

“Most of the people here have gone through the same thing I’ve gone through—they’ve lost their mate. So we have a lot in common,” he says.

Caring for an elderly relative can be a stressful and intimidating experience, especially when you must decide whether to place an aging parent into a senior living community. Although moving a loved one into a new home may be difficult, if you don’t have the time, resources or suitable arrangements to accommodate your parent in your own home, a senior residence can be a good alternative. The metro area offers an array of senior living options—from ranch-style townhomes to assisted living facilities—and many provide around-the-clock attention.

Types of Senior Living
Although senior housing can be beneficial to an elderly person, certain things must be considered before someone becomes a permanent resident. Other than finances, one of the most important things to take into account is your parent’s physical and mental health. Evaluating health factors will help you decide what type of residence is most appropriate for your parent.

“Quality of life issues fit greatly into the decision,” says Ed Van Herik of AARP Georgia. “You also want to make sure that the residence is affordable. You can’t forget affordability.”

There are several types of senior options in the Atlanta area. Independent living is geared toward seniors like Godfrey, who are able to live on their own, but would benefit from a community setting where meals, various activities and housekeeping are provided. Independent living residences are usually apartment-style, with each resident having their own unit and personal belongings. Although every resident has their own space, some independent living communities may have dining hall areas for seniors to eat and socialize.

If your parent is still independent but may need some extra help, then an assisted living facility might be the most appropriate choice. Assisted living facilities are perfect for those who aren’t able to live alone, but don’t necessarily need 24-hour medical attention. Similar to independent living options, assisted living facilities often provide meals and activities in a home or apartment-style setting, but some residents may be able to prepare their own meals in personal kitchen spaces.

One apartment-style assisted living facility is Brighton Gardens, with locations in the Buckhead, Vinings and Dunwoody areas of Atlanta. Brighton Gardens provides home care, meals and housekeeping services to residents, and each community is located near many attractions and major shopping centers.

The next level of senior housing is a nursing home, which caters to elderly residents who require medical assistance and personal attention, usually for the long-term. Some nursing homes also provide short-term care for those just released from the hospital. Nursing homes are a good option for those with ongoing medical conditions, such as dementia, or those who need help performing daily tasks.

Seniors who are facing end-of-life issues may find that hospice care is the best option for them. Hospice care facilities are equipped with trained personnel who provide medical, emotional and spiritual support to the terminally ill and their family members.

Narrowing Your Choices
When your family decides what type of living option is best for your parent, the next step is to research the different senior communities throughout the Atlanta area. Visit aging.dhr.georgia.gov for a list of Georgia’s licensed facilities and their inspection histories. Also, be sure to check accreditation and policies, as well as the surrounding neighborhood to make sure it satisfies you and your parent’s transportation and safety needs.

Once you have narrowed your choices, it’s time to schedule tours at your top communities. Before your visit, be sure to prepare a list of questions for the staff. Feel free to talk to residents and their visiting families about the care and amenities the community provides.

“Be very realistic and be very thorough,” says Van Herik. “If you’re considering a facility, check to see if they’re licensed and what comments have been made about them.”

Plan Ahead
It is important to include your parent in every step of the decision-making process. If possible, talk openly about senior living options early on to ensure a plan is in place for the future.

“The most important thing is encouraging parents to make the decision now,” says Andy Slavin, vice president of Parc Communities. “If you ask our residents what they would do differently, they would say that they wish they would have moved here earlier.”