Starting the conversation about moving into an assisted living community can be a very difficult process for family members. Although your heart is in the right place, it is often a challenge for elderly parents to look at this change in a positive light. Here is some useful advice from assisted living specialists in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
- Assess their situation: First, ask yourself why you are considering assisted living. Is it because your parents’ house is too big to manage and maintain? Has one of your parents developed a particular illness or condition that requires long term treatment? This will help you formulate your concerns when you speak to your parents – concerns that they likely share. If your parents are reluctant to move, find out exactly why that is and try to address it directly.
- Don’t rush: The perfect time to start the conversation is when your parent or parents are still able to manage without care services. This makes the conversation low-pressure and non-threatening. It gives each person time to think about the options and consider each other’s opinions.
- Make it about them: You may be the one bringing up the conversation, but it’s important to remember that it’s all about your parents. Ask them about their wishes – it’s all about you helping them. This makes it easier for them to talk about assisted living without feeling as if they are being forced into making the change.
- Do your research: There are many types of assisted living communities out there, so it’s a good idea to do some research online and find communities that you feel would appeal to your parents. Look at the type of services offered, if they have a strong community feel or not, and what the living arrangements are like. Often, people have strong misconceptions about assisted living – and the reality can be a pleasant surprise!
- Get them involved: Many parents feel sidelined when it comes to finding an assisted living facility, so it’s best to keep them involved in the process as much as possible. For example, knowing that they would like to live by the sea, if they would like to attend lots of social and community events or would prefer an apartment to a room is all useful information that you can incorporate into your search.
- Go for a personal tour: After you have found a few communities that look like they meet your criteria, take your parents for a personal tour. Not only does this give everyone a chance to see what daily life is like and what services are offered, it also gives you a chance to ask as many questions as you would like about everything from financing to their community life calendar.
Visit Francis Asbury for a personal tour of our assisted living community
At United Methodist Communities at Francis Asbury, we encourage all prospective residents and their families to book a personal tour of our grounds and assisted living community. Our staff and residents pride themselves on a welcoming atmosphere as well as our professionalism, and are happy to answer your questions about our community and services.
In addition to assisted living, we also offer hospice and respite services, and are fully equipped to care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
For more information on Francis Asbury and our other New Jersey communities, please contact us today and request a personal tour.
This content was originally posted at https://umcommunities.org/blog/how-to-start-the-conversation-about-assisted-living/
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