How To Jumpstart The ConversationAbout Senior Living
When the time seems right to consider a move to a senior living community, initiating the conversation with a loved one or even with yourself may be the most challenging part. Why? It’s human nature to want to resist change, and many people have strong feelings about staying in their own homes. It doesn’t have to be so difficult to talk about getting older, planning for the future, needing help and finding the best living option. Use these helpful tips to start having conversations and open the lines of communication about the future before it becomes a necessity.
Talk To Your Parents About A Positive Plan For The Future
Create a list of your objectives for your parents or family member. For example, you may be looking for a safer environment for them, or help keeping up with household chores. Prepare to guide the conversation by allowing them to express their perspective on future plans.
Set up a time to talk and let them know about your concerns ahead of time, so they can start thinking about what they envision for the future. They could become defensive if they feel blindsided by the conversation. Reach out to any siblings and family members about your planned discussion so they are aware of it, even if they won’t be able to attend.
Research various senior living options in your targeted area. As you educate yourself, you’ll likely find a range of options, including independent living, in-home care, assisted living and continuing care, all of which offer different types of senior care services. Be honest about the amount of help your loved one truly needs – above all, you want them to have the proper care.
Sit down to talk in person and choose a time when you are both well-rested and can talk uninterrupted. You might want to go to a neutral site outside of their home and could also consider involving an outside person close to the family, such as an attorney, physician, minister or friend.
Ask questions, using gentle, non-confrontational language while clearly expressing your concern for your parent’s well-being. Let them know you care deeply about how they are feeling, their perspective on aging and what they hope for in the years ahead.
Sample questions:
- “If you ever decided you would rather not live by yourself anymore, where would you want to live?”
- “What types of things could you use help with?”
- “How has it been for you living at home by yourself?”
- “Have you considered whether you’d like to be surrounded by other people your age in a retirement community?”
Listen to what they have to say rather than offering an immediate solution. Reassure them that you are their partner in solving a particular need or issue in their life. Remember to use open body language – avoid crossing your arms or hunching your shoulders. Be patient and respectful – you can always pick up the conversation later if it gets overly emotional.
Keep talking. Although it would be nice to wrap things up in one conversation, you will likely need to have multiple discussions. It’s best to address one issue at a time rather than trying to resolve everything at once, unless you have an emergent health issue or safety risk to address with your parent at home.
Learn The Next Steps To Take
By having this conversation before any serious incidents occur, you can be sure you clearly understand your parent’s hopes and desires for aging. Contact us if you have additional questions or would like more information about Park Creek.