With access to therapy services and amenities, senior living communities benefit older adults as they navigate their “golden years.” However, not everyone will be optimistic about making that transition.
Approaching the topic of senior living with an elderly family member can be difficult, so have a look at the following five tips for talking about the shift into senior living with your loved one when the time comes:
Take Your Time
Moving into an independent or assisted living will be a significant change for your loved one. You must take your time through the process, including the time before the initial conversation and with every step after.
Many seniors find it challenging to go from their own homes into a senior living community, so the process should go at whatever pace they are most comfortable with. Before having that first conversation, accept that you will need to move at their pace, not yours.
Consult with Friends and Family
If you need to, consult with friends and family before initiating the conversation about senior living, especially if you have doubts or second thoughts about whether your loved one needs to make the transition.
If you have siblings, you may want to discuss with them about your parents and how they feel about moving them into senior living. You may also want to involve your siblings in that initial conversation with your parent(s); doing both can help determine your parent’s level of independence and determine their needs in the future.
Do Your Research
You do not want to talk about senior living without researching. You should be able to present your loved one with various options, solutions, and other pertinent information when bringing up the topic.
Knowing that you are fully informed will help your parent(s) feel more secure about making such a big move, and it allows you to provide them with a selection of different senior living options to choose from before committing to anything.
Exhibit Empathy
When the time comes to have a conversation regarding long-term care or senior living facilities, you need to exhibit empathy toward your loved one. It is a very sensitive topic for some people, and you should show compassion when discussing it. You don’t want your family member to feel as though they are incapable of living on their own or as if they are losing their independence. Always be understanding and open to hearing their concerns throughout the conversation.
Prepare for Resistance
The conversation surrounding assisted living, long-term care, or senior facilities can elicit negative reactions from some adults, so before initiating the discussion, you should prepare to be met with some level of resistance.
Many older adults do not recognize or admit when they need some extent of assistance, and they may feel attacked when the topic of senior living is brought up as a result, even regarding independent living communities. These people often want to remain in their homes and avoid the transition altogether, so you should have a strategy in place to deal with any resistance you may encounter.
Senior Living Options at Pine Haven Christian Communities
Suppose the time has come for your loved one to move into a senior living community; turn to Pine Haven Christian Communities. We help seniors throughout Sheboygan County live their best lives with a range of senior care services and amenities, including physical therapy, memory care, occupational therapy, and more.
We work with older adults to ensure they are comfortable, happy, and fulfilled in assisted or independent living. Contact Pine Haven today to learn more about our communities and services.
