Do you feel unprepared to talk to your parents about assisted living? You’re not alone. The prospect of having the ‘assisted living conversation’ with mom or dad can be downright scary. This is a huge decision, and it’s one that will affect everyone in the family — including you. It involves a lot of emotion and can be very challenging. But it doesn’t have to be all bad news. By preparing yourself with what you’ll say and how you’ll say it, your talk can go smoothly and result in a positive outcome for everyone.
Moving into a nursing home is never an easy decision for seniors, but it becomes a safer option as we get older. Some people do it on their own terms, while others are forced to do so by family members. While nobody wants to put their parents in a nursing home, having them move in with you isn’t always the best solution either. And this is where the need for assisted living comes into play.
For seniors who can no longer take care of their homes, assisted living communities in Costa Mesa provide many benefits, including a safe and healthy environment, social activities, and help with daily activities like dressing and bathing.
Determine if it’s the right time to have the assisted living conversation
When is the right time to talk to your parents about an assisted living community? When do you need to have an assisted living conversation? There are two times when it’s absolutely mandatory to talk to your parents about assisted living: when they’re in need of care or if they’re in need of care before they realize it. This doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to have the assisted living conversation. You should plan this talk well in advance to give your parents time to adjust to the idea and time to find a suitable community.
There are three good times to have this discussion. The first is when you feel that your parents need help, but they aren’t asking for it. The second is when your parents are having trouble managing their finances or maintaining their home. The third is when your parents are unable to care for themselves, and they have stopped showing an interest in life.
Get the facts about assisted living and make sure you’re using the right words (and avoiding any misunderstandings).
As you gather information, you should talk to your parents and other people who have been through this experience. They can tell you what they liked and didn’t like about the different assisted living facilities they’ve visited, what type of care they need and how much it cost. You can also find out what services are provided and how much they cost. It is essential that you understand the cost of assisted living and how much it will change as your parent’s needs change. You may want to ask a good facility like Sienna Living or an independent living specialist to help you understand the costs. It may be helpful to draw a diagram of your parent’s finances and see how they will be affected. You can also ask the facility to explain how the care costs are covered and what your parents might expect to pay.
Explain how moving into an assisted living community will benefit your parent’s health, safety, and independence
Assisted living communities provide seniors with the services and support to live independently and with dignity. For seniors who can no longer take care of their homes, assisted living communities provide many benefits, including a safe and healthy environment, social activities, and help with daily activities like dressing and bathing.
It’s not easy to admit that your parents need help. No one wants to think about their parents in a home, sitting alone in a room, waiting for someone to bring them a meal. On the other hand, no one wants to think about their parents falling and breaking a hip or being attacked and injured by a criminal. The truth is, if you have aging parents, there is a chance that one of these scenarios could happen and the dignity of risk in aged care may come in handy. But what are you going to do about it? What if you could move your parents into your local senior living community and decrease their risk of falling? They would most likely agree to it.