Adult children are usually concerned about the health and safety of their aging parents. If parents struggle with tasks such as preparing meals, showering, or taking medication, the family should sit down and discuss the long-term care of the parents.
Although moving the senior parents to the assisted living community is a good idea, bringing the conversion can be challenging. Besides, it is usually hard for adult children to accept that the parents who cared for them during their formative years will need assistance in the future.
However, no matter how uncomfortable the conversation is, families need to discuss assisted living long before health crises force them to make prompt decisions. Starting the conversation early helps to prepare seniors and their loved ones for the new phase of life. This article will share tips for discussing senior living options with senior parents.
Start the Conversation By Providing Relevant Information
Some seniors have many questions about assisted living but rarely take the time to find answers. This means they might not entertain moving to a retirement home simply because they fear the unknown.
However, adult children can provide information about the cost of assisted living, life in the facility, living options, downsizing requirements, and any other concerns. This information will help senior parents adjust their expectations before moving to the Garden City senior community.
Answering questions about assisted living and addressing senior’s concerns is the first step toward making them comfortable with the idea of assisted living. This is also the time to debunk the myths and address misinformation to reduce resistance.
Nurture Empathy During the Conversations
Some parents have genuine concerns or reasons to consider aging in place at home. So, before bringing up the topic of moving to senior homes, families should listen to the senior parents. Since senior living options will determine their quality of life, they should be involved in decision-making from the start.
Adult children with senior parents should try to see the world from their parent’s perspective. They can ask questions to understand how their aging parents foresee their golden years. They can also ask about the best type of care and ideal living option. This will help the children understand whether their senior parents are open to moving into an assisted living facility.
Highlight Health and Safety Concerns
Health and safety are the primary reasons many seniors choose assisted living arrangements. So, siblings should identify areas where seniors need help. They can discuss struggles with hygiene tasks, such as washing dishes, safety when driving, irregular medications, forgetfulness, loneliness, and stress associated with isolation.
Highlighting these concerns shows the senior parents that their grown children want the best for them. This reduces resistance and prepares seniors for a new life in an assisted living facility.
Discuss the Benefits of Assisted Living
Siblings should discuss how assisted living options can address health and safety concerns. Aging parents will be glad to know that retirement homes provide medical management services, allow social interactions, provide safety equipment, and monitor seniors.
Seniors will also appreciate 24-hour access to trained caregivers who provide personalized care and support. The aged parents and their loved ones can visit senior homes around them to choose the best living option and prepare to move.
Adult children with aged parents often wonder how to bring the conversation about senior living options. However, they can apply these tips to prepare their senior parents for assisted living options. They should also involve senior parents in choosing the best option based on their needs and interests.
