Fast Facts

The decision to move a loved one out of their home is among the heaviest burdens a family can carry.  
It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, including guilt, but remember a move will help your loved one stay independent and improve their safety, giving you more peace of mind to focus on quality time together.
If guilt remains, talking with a professional can offer a new perspective and help you to cope with your emotions in a positive way. 
Another way to handle stressful situations and relieve guilt is to practice self-care, which can help you relax and recharge.

Every decision we make in life comes with consequences, and part of the decision-making process is to determine, ahead of time, what those consequences might look like. The decision to move a loved one out of their home, which holds many memories, both good and bad, is among the heaviest burdens a family can carry.

Feeling guilty after a move is normal, but it doesn’t have to be

Once you’ve made that decision, you’ll likely feel a variety of emotions. It’s very normal to feel guilt after the move. You may wonder if such a decision will result in having your loved one’s independence taken away. On the contrary, this is the move that will help them to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. When grappling with the emotions tied to moving your loved one to a senior living community, it’s important to remember that around-the-clock care will improve safety. Additionally, after the initial move, the care provided to your loved one by the community’s staff will give you more meaningful time with your loved one.

If guilt remains, a professional may be able to help

If you continue to feel guilty after the move and aren’t finding comfort in knowing your loved one is being cared for by professionals, there are a variety of options available to help. You can talk to a professional, someone who is trained in helping others cope with their emotions and the consequences they assign to their decisions. Often, having someone who can speak objectively about the situation, without having their own emotion tied to the person or situation can be refreshing and offer a new perspective. This can allow you to deal with those emotions in positive way.

..And don’t forget to take care of yourself

Another way to handle stressful situations, such as guilt, is by practicing self-care. Embracing a self-care routine can be a great help and a positive way to handle the stress that comes with guilt and grieving. Some examples of self-care could include turning off your phone for an hour each day, taking a walk with a friend, unplugging your technology, and taking a relaxing bath with whatever music feeds your soul - anything that’s just for you to relax and recharge.

Our Care Guides are professional social workers who can help answer questions about coping with grief, provide emotional support, and save you time and energy by researching specialists, assisting with tasks, or making phone calls on your behalf.