How To Discuss Senior Living With Your Loved One

Have you become wary of your aging loved one living at home alone? Maybe they fell a few months ago, and it has left both of you shaken, or perhaps they recently received a diagnosis that makes you feel worried about the future. In any case, senior living can be an excellent solution that provides you with peace of mind and gives your loved one a new home that will support all aspects of their health and wellness. And they’ll even make some new friends.

Ready to start the conversation? Going in prepared can make it easier for both of you.

Signs It Might Be Time to Talk About Assisted Living or Other Options

First, determine if you notice signs it might be time to talk about assisted living or other senior living options. While some older adults and their families wait until a medical crisis to begin searching for senior living, you can make the transition smoother - and empower your loved one to be a significant part of the process - by looking for senior living long before an emergency occurs.

Here are a few signs that it might be time to begin searching for senior living options:

• Your loved one has fallen in the past six months
• There is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia
• Your loved one is frustrated with managing their medication schedule
• Your loved one has expressed they feel lonely or disconnected from friends
• Cooking three healthy meals a day is a significant chore for your loved one
• Your loved one’s home is too large for them to want to maintain
• Your loved one would like to live a low-maintenance lifestyle with access to wellness amenities

If you notice some of these changes, your loved one is too. Worries about a senior loved one who refuses senior living are often not needed. Instead, begin with an open conversation about what you are noticing and how senior living could provide a solution that benefits them.

Tips for Talking to Aging Parents About Changes and Transitions

As you start the conversation about senior living options, go in knowing it will likely not be only one chat. You’ll want to revisit the conversation multiple times and be sure your loved one has the opportunity to be heard and validated. After all, they are the ones who will be moving to a new home, which is a huge transition for any of us!

Here are a few tips for talking to aging parents about changes and upcoming transitions:

• Don’t push the conversation to continue if they become defensive or upset. It’s not worth it. Instead, table the discussion and redirect to something more pleasant for both of you.
• As long as your loved one is not moving during the aftermath of a medical crisis, you have time to listen to their obstacles. For example, many older adults are unfamiliar with today’s senior living residences and might harbor some old, negative stereotypes of what it can be.
• Bring videos, menus, event calendars, and photos of senior living residences for your loved one to review when they are ready.
• Be sure your loved one comes along to all the tours of senior living residences that you do. Please encourage them to revisit the ones they liked or to attend an event or meal at the residence without you.
• Offer to help by scheduling appointments with their financial advisor, senior realtor, organizer, or other professionals who can assist with the move.
• If you wonder what to say to someone moving to assisted living or another senior living residence, be encouraging while acknowledging their worries or hesitations.

As you look at senior living residences near you, don’t forget to include Legend Senior Living residences in your must-tour list.