As adult children, having our older parents living nearby can provide comfort and familiarity. But is it always the best choice for everyone?
When the time comes to choose a senior living community for a loved one, location is naturally a consideration. The convenience of proximity makes a difference, but sometimes, it might mean uprooting your life. Finding the best care is paramount, but the community might be somewhere other than just around your corner.
The Avenues of Fort Bend is in Missouri City, Texas, and many of our residents have children living outside the area. Their loved ones know there are ways to maintain and even strengthen family connections when you put in the effort.
Before you start deciding, though, let’s look at the pros and cons of familiar neighborhoods; for our purposes, let’s call it hometown assisted living and memory care.
The Pros of Hometown Senior Living
Having your parents in a senior living community within your hometown offers several advantages. First, it ensures frequent, convenient visits. It allows you to be directly involved in their everyday life, providing the emotional connection and support they need. Moreover, the familiarity of the hometown environment can contribute to your parents’ comfort and sense of belonging, which promotes their well-being.
The Cons of Hometown Senior Living
There are drawbacks to consider as well. You might feel less independent or have less personal space due to proximity and potential expectations to assist them. Being nearby may also lead to increased responsibilities, which can be time-consuming and emotionally taxing. Too much time together can even cause family tensions or lead to disagreements over lifestyle choices or caregiving approaches.
Your parents may come to rely on you more than you intended, which can create feelings of obligation and stress. They might be less likely to trust their caregivers; since you’re nearby, they might also depend on you for socializing and neglect their peers.
You Can Have Peace of Mind From a Distance
If your circumstances lead to your parents living in a place that isn’t your hometown, it’s natural to worry about being too far away. Yet you can still find peace of mind by choosing the right senior living option.
Travel time from Missouri City to Houston is just 30 minutes; The Avenues of Fort Bend is away from the hustle and bustle but close enough for short trips. We provide personalized care tailored to the needs of each resident, with highly trained, compassionate caregivers who serve our residents with loving attention. Just as importantly, the community setting is comfortable, accessible, and welcoming.
A Closer Look at The Avenues of Fort Bend
If you’re searching for senior apartments near Missouri City, The Avenues of Fort Bend makes the transition as smooth as possible. We have upscale, accessible floor plans and communal spaces like a restaurant-style dining room. Our community has two lifestyle options:
- Assisted Living: These residents benefit from 24-7 passionate care services, resort-style amenities, individualized care plans, and a full calendar of senior-friendly programming. We empower our residents to be as independent as possible while living their lives to the fullest.
- Memory Care: The Cottage is our memory care community within The Avenues of Fort Bend. As nationally recognized certified dementia practitioners, we help these beloved seniors make every moment count.
How can I stay connected without hometown senior living?
Maintaining a connection with your loved ones while they thrive in a new environment doesn’t have to be challenging. Schedule visits to share meals in our dining room; we also welcome family members to attend community events like movie nights. You can do this as your schedule allows. You might even find that your parents prefer to be with their friends sometimes!
Consistent communication and planning is essential for this to go smoothly. Instead of dropping in daily (doing that occasionally is fine), reach out to let them know you’d like to visit. There might be a fun event that you can attend with them.
Your parents might also enjoy visiting local restaurants and other attractions with you. Include other family members, too—that’ll reassure you and your parents that they remain at the heart of the family.
Technology also enables families to remain connected, even from a distance. Regular video calls, sharing of daily moments through social media, and coordinating with caregivers via phone or email keep you closely involved in your parents’ lives.
If you stick with that advice, you won’t feel pressured to attend to their needs constantly. And you won’t need to, either, because our caregivers are there when residents need them. Your parents’ newfound friends and our activity calendar will also keep them busy and fulfilled.
We Can Help You Cherish the Connection With Your Parents
Consider The Avenues of Fort Bend for your parents’ next stage of living. We can meet their needs and help you maintain that all-important bond. Contact our team for a closer look at how we can provide your loved ones with the care and community they deserve.
