How Can a Person Know When It’s Time to Talk About Assisted Living with Someone They Love?

November 4, 2019 by ·

You see the signs. You’ve recognized them for quite some time. However, you don’t know exactly what to do. You believe your elderly father would do better in assisted living, but you’re afraid to bring up the topic. You don’t know exactly how he’ll react. You don’t want to cause offense and, perhaps more importantly, don’t want to start a big fight.

So, how is a person to recognize when it’s time to actually sit down and begin talking about assisted living with an aging parent, grandparent, or somebody else they care about?

Here are a few signs to consider which could ultimately point you in the direction of having this conversation, even though it may be an uncomfortable one to start.

First, it’s obvious this person is struggling with everyday life.

Assisted Living Saraland, AL: Talking About Assisted Living

Whether it’s your mother, father, spouse, or anyone else, when they are having difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and they are calling on you, neighbors, friends, and possibly other family more and more frequently for help, that’s a pretty good sign they would be better served surrounded by staff fully trained and responsive to the needs of residents at assisted living.

Second, they appear lonely.
When people spend most of their days alone, watching the clock, watching television programs, puttering around the house and looking for things to do, when they don’t get to visit with friends very often, either because of physical infirmities, their friends have moved or passed away, or they are no longer able to drive and get around safely on their own, that can lead to loneliness.

Loneliness can lead to feelings of isolation and even an increased risk of depression.

Third, this senior’s friends are already choosing assisted living.
When people go on a tour, when they actually see the facility, understand what types of activities go on, and see firsthand what the dining options might look like, they become more open to the idea of choosing this for themselves.

If this elderly person has friends who have already chosen assisted living and are enjoying life, this is a great launching point to begin talking about it with them. What if they like to spend more time with these friends? Imagine living in the same facility, stepping out of your room, and being able to take part in the various activities, go hang out with your friends, grab breakfast, or even walk the grounds.

These are just a few cues that could indicate it’s time to sit down and talk about assisted living with this aging senior in your life.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Saraland AL, How Can a Person Know When It’s Time to Talk About Assisted Living with Someone They Love? · 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