California Woman Describes Moving Mother With Parkinson's Into Assisted Living

Rachel Stein, a 44-year-old senior vice president at a healthcare communications firm in Orange County, California, described the sequence of decisions that led her 78-year-old mother, who has Parkinson's disease, to move back into assisted living. Stein said her mother was diagnosed more than ten years ago.

The mother initially remained in her townhouse but later had difficulty preparing meals and navigating stairs, prompting the family to select an assisted-living facility in 2021 at a cost of about $7,000 per month.

Initial move to assisted living The first facility housed 160 residents.

Stein's mother found the environment overwhelming, disliked the food, and stopped participating in activities such as using the pool. After two years, Stein decided to bring her mother into the family home to spend remaining time together. The house had sufficient space, yet the mother's bedroom was on the second floor, and Stein worried about falls.

Stein said household items left by her sons, ages 12 and 9, and the family dog created additional tripping hazards. She also reported interruptions during work calls and multiple emergency-room visits.

Strain on family and health Stein stated that balancing care for her mother with responsibilities to her husband and children became difficult. She hired part-time caregivers, but the assistance proved insufficient. In February 2026, Stein's sister visited from Canada and observed the mother's decline.

Stein told her sister that the level of care required exceeded what her own health could sustain.

Return to a smaller facility Mother and daughter selected a second facility with roughly 70 residents. Residents approached them unsolicited to praise the community, and the food was acceptable. Stein said her mother moved into the new facility at the end of March 2026 and now receives assistance with transfers and mobility from professional staff.