9 Ways to Introduce Assisted Living to Your Parents

Are your parents independent?

Are you worried about your parents getting older?

Are you dreading the discussion of assisted living with your parents?

According to a study conducted by Genworth Financial, “nearly 7 out of 10 Americans over age 65 will need long-term care, more than half of all respondents (55%) reported that their greatest fear regarding a long-term care illness or event was being a burden on their family. In fact, they reported being five times more concerned about being a burden than dying.”

Does your loved one still refuse proper care? Discussing moving your parent into a senior care center in Ann Arbor can be a scary thing for any adult to face. However, it’s the scary reality of so many in this country.

Care.com suggests nine strategies to help you overcome your parents’ objections of moving into a senior care center:

1. Start early: Be open to the discussion of assisted living and caregiving later on in life.
2. Be patient: Ask open-ended questions and give your loved one time to answer.
3. Probe deeply: Ask questions to determine why your parent refuses help –then you can tailor a solution.
4. Offer options: Let your parent choose certain days of the week or times of day to have a home health aide come. Emphasize that an aide will be his or her companion for walks, concerts, museum visits and other favorite activities.
5. Recruit outsiders early: Don’t hesitate to ask your parent’s social worker, doctor, nurse, priest or minister to suggest to your parent that they need help.
6. Prioritize problems: Writing them down and numbering by priority can relive a lot of stress.
7. Use indirect approaches: Don’t explain every aspect of care the aide will provide before the relationship has been formed. This may make your loved one feel less threatened.
8. Take it slow: Weave a new aide in gradually.
9. Accept your limits: As long as seniors are not endangering themselves or others, let your parents’ make their own choices.

Best Senior Care Center in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

We can help your family create peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!”