If you have an elderly loved one, then you know the sort of trepidation that comes with starting a delicate conversation about their future. This is especially true when you want to broach the topic of them moving out of their long-established residence.
Say you want to talk to them about moving into assisted living like Lakewood or a similar senior living community. How would you start the conversation? That’s exactly what we’ll be taking a look at today, and hopefully these tips will give you the knowledge you need to have a productive talk with your aging loved ones about senior care options.
Recognize It Won’t Be A Single Conversation
Part of what makes starting discussions like this so difficult is the expectation of having to reach some resolution immediately. In many cases, that expectation is unrealistic, and you’re much better off recognizing that it will take multiple conversations to get all the information you want out there and have your loved one chew it all over.
Concentrate instead on the ongoing discussion. Lay out a little bit of new information each time in an effort to get your loved one to start seriously considering what the future holds for them. Just remember — the sooner you get started the better it will be, since you’ll have more chances to convince them to start shifting their stance (if they don’t already agree with you).
Remember You Need To Cover Everything
It’s likely that you’ve done plenty of research and considered all the angles, so the decision to consider senior care makes perfect sense to you. You’ll need to recognize, though, that your loved ones haven’t done all the same research, and don’t share your perspective. You’ll need to cover all the details of those future possibilities so it makes just as much sense to them as it does to you.
Remember to be forthright and honest with what you reveal. You shouldn’t have to candy coat any aspects of the hypothetical future in senior care, and if you think that you do, you might want to reconsider which communities you’re considering for your loved one.
Don’t Forget To Stay Encouraging
A change in living situation is a big deal for all parties involved, but especially your loved one. Because of this, you need to remember to stay supportive throughout every conversation. Remind your loved one that despite the changes, you’re going to be there for them and that you’re always around as a source of encouragement. With a bit of teamwork, you can start — and get through — even the most difficult conversations.