A local family says moving their parents into a retirement community in Parkersburg brought both challenges and unexpected benefits. In a recent episode of the Neighbors in the Nest podcast, they discussed how they decided on Parker Place and what surprised them about the experience.
“We were discussing whether we went in the town in which they lived in, whether we brought them over near my brother. I was in another state if we moved them out to near me…having conversations with them, we made the decision then to come here. And I think, again, from my experience, a message that would be, we didn’t have options. We literally had this conversation, within a couple days made the decision and they were moved in three weeks. And looking back on it, that was hard on my parents.”
The family noted that having a plan, understanding their parents’ wishes, and visiting multiple communities helped them feel confident in their choice. They also emphasized the importance of having staff and fellow residents who support each other and create a sense of community.
“…he’s constantly active and he’s got a good network of people here to relate to and talk to and work with. And so he said to me just today, he just said, um this was one of the best decisions that he made. You know, I’ve talked to him quite a bit, know, dad, I forced you to do this. And he said, well, no, you didn’t force us. The situation forced it. You just made us mindful of it.”
The conversation highlights broader issues many families face when planning for aging parents, including ensuring access to social engagement, healthcare support, and a safe environment.
Neighbors in the Nest is a podcast sponsored by Parker Place in Parkersburg which shares personal experiences and discussions on senior care topics, offering perspective for families navigating similar decisions. Episodes are available at RadioOnTheGo.com.
