Honestly, talking to a parent about nearly any topic might be difficult, but when they are “advancing” in years, there’s going to be a lot more to discuss. Too often, elderly men and women become either frightened at the prospect of losing their independence and autonomy or simply can’t accept the fact that their bodies are changing, their physical abilities are declining, and they may need help.
As an adult child, you might want to talk about a variety of elder care topics, most notably assisted living. Assisted living support is arguably one of the best elder care options available for aging men and women, and it doesn’t have to be just for somebody who needs constant support and supervision every single day. It can be for those who may simply be tired of the general upkeep and maintenance of their current home.
Starting the conversation can be extremely challenging for a lot of people. You may have tried to talk about assisted living support in the past or some other elder care topic and were shut down. Your mother or father may have become angry and belligerent at your “nerve” for even talking about it in the first place.
When you recognize that your loved ones are not as strong as they used to be, and are not doing the things they used to enjoy, it is crucial that you not give up. Let’s look at some tips that may help you start the conversation in a simple, loving, and supportive way.
First, ask questions.
Too often when people bring up sensitive topics, they do so head-on. Direct. That may not work with your mother or father. So, instead of simply sitting down and talking about assisted living or other elder care topics, ask questions.
You might consider some questions like:
“Is there anything you miss doing that you would like to try again?”
“If you had the opportunity, would you…” (Fill in the blank).
“What will you do in the future if you are unable to…” (Fill in the blank).
The more questions you ask, the more information you can gather as to their mindset, mentality, and even doubts and fears about their future. This can give you a great launching point to talk about assisted living more positively.
Second, listen to the things they miss.
Many people will miss doing certain things, whether it’s playing golf, spending time with friends, reading books at the park, feeding the squirrels, going for a nice drive, checking out the mall, and so forth. At a quality assisted living support community, many of these types of activities are still possible, with transportation options, support, assistance, and camaraderie with other seniors.
When you pay attention to some of the smaller things that they miss, things you might not think much about in terms of ‘importance,’ you may find a good segue to talk about assisted living.
Third, learn as much as you can about assisted living first.
It’s difficult to talk about a topic you know very little about. Before you start talking about this, learn. Go on a tour. Speak to administrators at a quality assisted living community. Then you’ll be ready to have this important conversation with your aging parent.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Assisted Living Support in Danbury, CT, please contact the caring staff at Elderly Caregivers LLC. today at (203) 628-7438
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