Dad Refuses to even Visit an Assisted Living Facility near Citronelle, AL: Is there Anything I Can Do?

August 13, 2014 by ·

If you have been trying to convince your elderly father that it is time to consider assisted living, you may experience a great deal of resistance. Many seniors resist the idea of moving into assisted living because they would prefer to remain at home.Assisted Living Citronelle AL

This could be due to their comfort level at home, especially if they’ve been living in the same house or apartment for many years. It can also be due to a misunderstanding about what assisted living is all about.

If your father has been resistant to visit an assisted living facility, for whatever reason, it can make convincing him that this is the right decision much more challenging.

The most important thing in this situation is to respect your father’s wishes. You may not agree with him about his desire to remain at home, but you cannot force someone to move into an assisted living facility or even a nursing home unless you have a court order. If you believe that your father is in dire danger, even filing a legal motion to take charge of his personal or medical care will be extremely costly and take a long time. It can also significantly harm your relationship with him.

If your father hints at the notion he might be willing to listen to the idea of moving into an assisted living facility, but he refuses to visit one, his actions are going to speak louder than his words. You can try a few strategies that may encourage him to at least visit the facility. His impression or opinion about assisted living could completely change upon one visit to the right facility.

  • Bring others into the conversation.

Sometimes people will respond to the advice and suggestions of others rather than their adult children or close family members. If your father has a sibling whom he trusts, you may want to talk to them about helping to encourage him to at least visit an assisted living facility. A religious leader or a good friend can also help encourage him to at least look closer at this option.

  • Ask questions.

If you get caught up in trying to tell your father what he should do, stop. Begin to ask questions and listen to what he has to say. You may be so caught up in believing you’re right that you’re not actually hearing what he has to say. His resistance may have more to do with a lack of understanding or even fear about his own care.

  • Be willing to see things from his point of view.

When you stop and sit back and try to imagine what it’s like for him that can change your entire perspective on things. You may actually come up with an idea that will help encourage him to head out and visit one of these assisted living facilities.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living near Citronelle AL, at 251-317-3017.

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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