What Process Could Help an Aging Parent Be More Open to the Idea of Assisted Living?

August 21, 2018 by ·

There are going to be times in a person’s life when they may be less inclined to want to consider various options. One of those options an elderly parent may not want to consider (at least outright) is assisted living. That’s because many people have various misconceptions or preconceived notions about what assisted living is and offers.

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL: Being More Open to the Idea

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL: Being More Open to the Idea

There are steps adult children, siblings, and even a spouse might consider taking to help that elderly individual become more open to the idea of assisted living. Below are just a few to consider.

Go on a tour.

A tour is one of the best ways for people to get a good, honest sense about what it may be like living at this particular facility. A tour should offer a view of the interior, perhaps one sample room, giving the senior a sense of spaciousness, opportunities to create their own comfortable living environment, it should allow seniors the opportunity to see any entertainment areas, sitting rooms, and even the dining facility.

Talk openly about the senior’s concerns.

If an aging individual is not that open to the idea of assisted living, find out why. What specific concerns do they have? What is it about this particular long-term care option that makes them nervous, closes them off, or causes them to even be hostile to the topic itself?

By asking specific and pointed questions, it tells the elderly individual that you actually do care and want to know their thoughts on the topic.

Answer any questions they have honestly.

If they ask a specific question about assisted living and you don’t know the answer, don’t guess. Tell them you don’t know, but you’ll find out. Ask if they want to go through the process of discovering the answer with you.

That may include a visit to a particular assisted living community, speaking to an administrator on the phone, or researching it online. When you include them in the entire process, it becomes easier for them to open up about other anxieties they may have kept close to the chest, so to speak.

Be supportive, no matter the decision.

Even if this elderly individual remains closed off to the idea of assisted living, be supportive. Let them know no matter what they decide you are in their corner. Eventually, with honest, open communication, going on a tour, and experiencing the challenges that getting older poses to them, many seniors actually begin opening up to the prospect of assisted living on their own.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Satsuma AL · Tagged:
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.
Google Verified Author