Convincing Your Parent To Move To An Assisted Living Facility
by Tony Grant
If your aging parent has displayed signs that they are having difficulty with their mobility, and they live in their own home, you are most likely concerned for their safety when no one else is accompanying them. At this time in someone's life, assisted living is often an option taken to help elderly people by providing safe living quarters and personal care when needed. Here are some tips to use to help prepare your parent for the prospect of moving to an assisted living facility.
Have A Sit Down Discussion
Take the time to converse with your parent about your feelings with their safety. They may show signs of resistance in moving. This is a normal reaction when the discussion is initiated. Let your parent know about your concerns and give them some valid reasons why you believe an assisted living facility may be a better option. Explain to them that they would still have their own apartment and they will not be confined to a room as they would in a nursing home. If they are aware of your fear in leaving them alone, they may be more apt to admit that they are having difficulties.
Offer To Go On Tours
Gently suggest going to a few facilities to look at the homes and grounds. Tell your parent there is no commitment and that you are merely going to see what different places offer to their residents. Call each facility in advance to make an appointment to tour one of the apartments they have available. Take time to check out the dining area and perhaps sample a meal with your parent while visiting. Peek in at a few structured activities as well. This will give your parent a feel for each facility, making them more aware of what they like and don't like about each. Make sure to introduce your parent to faculty and other residents during these tours as well.
Find Out About Commitments
If your parent indicates that they like one facility over another, find out if the assisted living facility offers the chance to try their home on a trial basis. Some facilities offer this to help elderly people get accustomed to their new home without the feeling of being trapped into a commitment from the get-go. This can help your parent ease into their new life with the knowledge they can change their mind if that particular facility is not working for them.
For more information, contact a few local assisted living facilities in your area.
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About Me
When you're facing putting your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you want to make the best possible choice for your loved one. That can be difficult when you don't know much about the nursing homes in your area, or about what you should be looking for in a nursing home to begin with. It's a good idea to tour as many facilities in your area as possible to get an idea of which ones you like, but you still need to know what the signs of a good or bad nursing home are. I used to work as a kitchen assistant in long term care facilities, and I learned a lot about them during that time. I started this blog to share some of my insights into what makes a nursing home great, and how to spot problems in a facility that you're considering.