Daughter talking to aging parent about assisted living optionAging is inevitable. At some point in our life, each one of us will need help with Activities of Daily Living (also known as “ADLs”) due to aging or some medical condition. Starting the conversation with your aging parents about assisted living sooner rather than later is very important. It may be difficult to talk about the possibility of an assisted living option, but it’s best to talk to your aging parents beforehand while they are still in good health.

 

 

In This Assisted Living Article:

Start The Assisted Living Conversation Early
Research About Assisted Living
Involve Family Members When Deciding on Assisted Living
Keep the Assisted Living Conversation Private
Be Positive. Focus on The Assisted Living Benefits
Get Feedback on What They Think About Assisted Living

 

Start The Assisted Living Conversation Early

We have to face reality- aging is inevitable and it’s important to prepare for long-term care. Starting the assisted living conversation with your parents early before the need arises will be ideal. Don’t wait for a crisis to happen or see your aging parents start to deteriorate before talking about the possibility of an assisted living option because this will make the process more stressful. 

It is natural and pretty common to feel uncomfortable at first when talking to your parents about assisted living but remember it’s better to let them know their care options so they can be involved in the decision-making process. This will allow you to get feedback about what your parents like so when the time comes, you and your loved one can make the best assisted living decision possible. Thus, giving you peace of mind as you will already know what your parents want for their future.

Research About Assisted Living.

Be sure to come prepared once you decide to talk to your aging parents about assisted living options. It is important to research and list down all the different assisted living and care facilities in your area so you can compare all the available options . Once you’ve decided that assisted living will be a good senior care option for your aging parents, start gathering facts about assisted living facilities in your area. It might also be helpful to tour the facilities ahead of time so that you can narrow down your options before even presenting the list to your parents. 

Involve Family Members When Deciding on Assisted Living.

If you have siblings, be sure to talk to them first about the assisted living option before talking to your aging parents about it. Involving your siblings or other family members is very important so you can brainstorm together. If you all come to agreement that assisted living is the best option for your parents, then you can start talking about the game plan. Decide on the time, date, place and who will initiate the assisted living talk with your parents.

Keep the Assisted Living Conversation Private.

Plan on talking to your parents about assisted living during a private moment in a comfortable setting. If you have siblings and other family members who are involved in the assisted living decision, try to keep it to a select few. You do not want your aging parents to feel threatened or embarrassed in front of everyone. Keeping it intimate and more personal during a private time would allow your parents to be more open about discussing the possibility of an assisted living option.

Be Positive. Focus on The Assisted Living Benefits.

Assisted Living may have a negative connotation to some that’s why you should emphasize on the positive aspects of assisted living. Focus on how it can help your aging parents once you initiate the assisted living conversation. It is important to tell your parents why you think assisted living is a possible option. Talk to them about the different social and recreational activities, food, friends they’ll meet, as well as the other assisted living services that they’ll enjoy. You might also want to talk to them about the common misconceptions about assisted living facilities for their peace of mind. Assure them that you will find the right assisted living that will suit their lifestyle when the time comes.

Get Feedback on What They Think About Assisted Living.

It is important to listen to your parents’ concerns and issues about assisted living. Ask your parents several questions to find out how they feel and what they think about assisted living and assisted living facilities. This will make them feel comfortable because you are concerned about their feelings and value their opinions.

Copyright © 2019 SeniorCareHomes.com. All Rights Reserved.

 

Other Assisted Living Articles: