Trying to convince somebody you care about to get help is rarely ever easy. Pride is often one of the most noted issues that gets in the way of people asking or receiving assistance. When you know that your elderly mother or father, or both, would benefit from assisted living, it may feel as though you are banging your head against the proverbial wall just trying to get them to listen.
Take a moment for it may be you who needs to listen.
Assisted Living Mobile, AL: Assisted Living is a Great Option
This doesn’t mean your wrong. In fact, assisted living can very well be the best option for aging men and women. However, too often, when we are focused on an idea or assume we are right, we fail to listen to others.
Your aging mother or father could be trying to tell you something or even ask important questions that could help them understand the benefits of assisted living first. If you are constantly talking over them, at them, or simply ignoring their doubts or concerns or questions, you could be missing vital information that would help them make this incredibly positive decision.
How do you listen better?
Listening is one of those communication skills that most people fail to do enough. In order to listen to your elderly mother or father better about assisted living when the topic comes up, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to remain quiet.
That means, even if there is a lull in the conversation, if there is nobody talking, just wait. You can talk about something regarding assisted living and then sit back and give them time to process this information or revelation.
You see, sometimes people need a few moments to process things before they can respond. Sometimes, people will respond negatively to certain topics, including assisted living, because they know very little to nothing about it.
Yet, when you give them time to process what you are telling them or suggesting, you show respect. You are showing them you respect their need for time and their desire to understand clearly what an assisted living facility could offer them.
Another way to listen better is to ask questions. This may sound counterintuitive, but when you ask questions, especially about something you just talked about, you can ascertain whether or not your aging parent is understanding not only what you are telling them, but the ideas behind what you are bringing up.
What if they continually refuse to talk about assisted living?
There’s really not much you can do for them, but just remain supportive. Of course, the more information you have, especially about a specific assisted living facility in the area, the easier it becomes to convince them that this would be a great choice, not just for their physical health and well-being, but for their emotional future as they face increasing struggles in daily life.
It might not be easy to convince your elderly mother or father to consider assisted living, but remember to listen, be patient, and learn more about it. Eventually, he or she — or both — may come to realize it, too.
About Cindy Johnson
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