Assisted living can be difficult to come to terms with.
Although we at Wellington Estates believe that “you shouldn’t be burdened with the daily stuff,” we also know that when the daily stuff becomes a burden, you might need more than physical assistance. The realization that you are having a tough time attending to your needs on your own may scare you or cause you to feel like you lost a part of yourself.
Your Value is not Dependent on your Ability to Make it on your Own
Humans are born very vulnerable. We are completely dependent on others for our survival and basic needs. As we age, we develop more capacities and associate being ‘big’ with being able to do things all by ourselves.
In Western societies this feeling is further reinforced by the many values we promote that put an emphasis on our abilities as individuals. We hear about self-esteem, self-care, self-reliance, self-concept, autonomy, self-sufficiency, independence, individuality, and a host of other concepts that seem to isolate the individual from their surroundings.
The distance between internalizing the messages as they were intended, to experiencing emotional difficulties of assisted living can be very short.
But this view is quite flawed.
“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” – Tia Walker
Receiving Assistance is a Skill and a Strength
Giving is a virtue but it is only one side of the coin. Imagine trying to give to someone, only to have your offer rejected. Not a very good feeling, huh. It is actually the receiver that enables you to fully give. In other words, the taker is giving the giver the ability to give. It is a relationship and it takes two people who want to do for each other to make it work. So, the next time you find yourself dealing with the emotional difficulties of assisted living, think about how many people you are helping in the process.
Helpers who Care
The other part of the equation is realizing that people genuinely want to help. Those who find it burdensome to accept your willingness to receive, typically, aren’t in this profession. Our staff members appreciate all the giving you have done up until this point and are honored to give back. That passion is what brings them back day after day.
But, remember, it is up to you to make their passion a reality. Are you willing to give that to them?
Have you ever experienced emotional difficulties of assisted living? What has helped you?
Please share in the comments below.
Disclaimer, or Use At Your Own Risk
Wellington Estates does not take any responsibility for this post’s content and any action you take based on its information is strictly at your own risk. You should always speak to your doctor regarding medical information and your health.