You know your parents better than anyone. You notice changes others might miss.
If your loved one could use more assistance with their daily life, assisted living can help them live in greater comfort and ease. Many seniors benefit from moving to assisted living to support their continued well-being, dignity, and security.
It’s natural to feel uncertain about approaching an assisted living conversation. The Birches provides helpful tips to promote productive assisted living discussions—free from guilt and full of connection.
Preplanning is the key to a fruitful assisted living dialogue. Let’s break this phase of the process down a little more.
Start by getting clear about your reasons for suggesting this change. You may wrestle with feelings of guilt and worry your intentions may be misconstrued.
To overcome guilt and feel prepared to initiate the conversation, it’s vital to be honest and open about the changes you’re seeing, why they concern you, and to acknowledge that you have your loved one’s best interests at heart.
It’s natural to experience your own grieving process during this time. Spend time working through your feelings before you approach your loved one. This will help you feel less reactive during your discussions.
Your loved one will likely have questions about moving to assisted living and what it means. Prepare by researching this level of care and why you think it’s right for them.
The Birches offers free info and resources on our website to help you understand and plan for a move to assisted living.
You can also reach out to us directly for personalized support with your assisted living journey.
Now that you’re informed and centered, you’re ready to schedule your talk. Choose a time when your loved one isn’t tired, stressed, or distracted. Decide who will be present and who will take the lead. You can even plan talking points and set an agenda if that feels aligned.
Set yourself up for a productive discussion by knowing the approach you want to take, the key points you want to make, and ensuring everyone’s voices are heard.
Now it’s time to open an assisted living conversation with your loved one. Start off on the right foot by asking their permission to talk with them. This shows that you value their feelings from the beginning.
Big changes stir up big feelings. Your loved one may have a strong reaction to this news. Keep the discussion focused and productive by:
Moving to assisted living is a big decision. Plan for more than one conversation about it. Let your parent know they’re free to ask questions and remind them that you value their input and opinions.
Let them know you can and will revisit this topic when they’re ready. It’s important they know that this isn’t happening to them, but with them. Conversations are two-way streets, and your loved one will likely have follow-up questions once they’ve had a chance to process more.
Now that you’ve researched assisted living, you know it can offer your loved one much more than just added security and support. Help them gain a clearer picture of the assisted living lifestyle.
Show them that assisted living not only means supportive care, but the chance for more connection. It also features services, amenities, activities, and programs designed to enrich seniors’ lives and make them easier and more enjoyable.
Assisted living communities focus on helping seniors live their best, most independent lives. They enrich quality of life with personalized care, respectful support, and enjoyable activities that nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
Maybe the prospect of no longer having to cook resonates with your loved one. Perhaps they’re motivated to reconnect with their artistic side. Emphasize options that speak to their personal preferences to show them what assisted living offers to meet these needs.