The Big Conversation: Discussing Assisted Living with Your Senior Parent

By: Adult Care Advisors | No Comments February 19, 2013

Assisted living is a good senior care option for those who seek some level of independence. This means that they don’t have serious health issues and can generally look after themselves. Approaching the subject of moving your senior parents into an assisted living community can be difficult and needs to be carefully thought out.

Think of assisted living as an opportunity for your parent(s) to live in comfort with people closer to their own age. Discuss how it offers them a chance to make new friends and have fun – without the hassle of running their own home.

How to Approach the Topic with a Senior

Adult Care Advisors offers you a few tips on how to have this important discussion with your senior loved ones.

Early Beginnings: Approach the topic well in advance. This is not the kind of decision that should be rushed, so make sure that your senior parent has enough of time to think about and get used to the idea of living in an assisted living community.
Point of View: Put yourself in your parent’s shoes – what are your primary concerns with regard to assisted living? When having the discussion make sure you address all of these issues. Remain sensitive to the anxiety and help your senior feel positive about the transition. Make sure it is a two-way conversation – let your senior ask questions.
Research: Only begin the discussion after doing a fair bit of research. This will help you understand what assisted living entails and possible options in your area. Besides this, citing real life examples can put your parent at ease. Creating a mental ‘pros & cons’ list might also help.

Adult Care Advisors can offer you sound advice on how to find convenient, comfortable and affordable assisted living for your senior parent. Contact us today for more information.