Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Having the Assisted Living Talk

Broaching the topic of senior living communities with your parents can be an arduous task.  They raised you and provided for you throughout your childhood. Those days are far behind you, but we don't have to tell you that you will never forget the sacrifices they made to better your life.  Now it is time for you to take care of them, and the best way to do so might be to put them in a home for seniors. 

Unfortunately, bringing it up could give off the wrong impression. They might think you don't care about them and don't want to be bothered with tending to their well-being.  Nothing could be further from the truth, of course, but try putting yourself in their shoes and think about how you would react to being put into an assisted living home. 

First off, you want to be as open and honest with them as possible.  Express your concerns and let them know your top priority is ensuring that all of their needs are cared for and that they end up in a place where the staff can keep them safe and comfortable.  Just don't make the mistake of ganging up on them.  Bringing in the entire extended family to discuss the idea is not the way to go.  That approach will make your parents feel as though they are being bullied and that they have no say in the matter. 

Attempting to rush them into assisted living would also be a mistake.  Allow your mom and/or dad the time needed to think things over.  Speaking of which, it is critical that you give them that option to kick the idea around.  Vocalize your concerns but let mom and dad play a part in making the final decision.  Keep things open and reach a final decision that is best for everyone and that is as acceptable to them as it is to you.

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