How to Handle an Aging Parent Who Just Won’t Talk About Assisted Living

November 18, 2020 by ·

It can certainly be frustrating when you’re trying to convince an aging parent about assisted living. When they don’t seem to listen or even want to hear about it, but you’re the one sacrificing time and getting frustrated looking after them, it’s easy to get angry. 

The last thing any one of us should do is get upset at an aging parent or other senior in our life who doesn’t seem interested at all in the prospect of assisted living. Despite the fact you are fully convinced this would be perfect for them, it is still their decision to make. 

Keep in mind, though, that there are some things you may be able to do to convince this aging parent to at least listen more about the benefits of assisted living. 

 

Learn to listen better yourself.

Assisted Living Chickasaw, AL: Handling an Aging Parent

Far too often when we’re convinced something is right, we have a tendency not to listen so much to opposing viewpoints. We get entrenched in our ideas and have difficulty even understanding there might be a different perspective. 

Your elderly parent might very well consider assisted living, but they might have certain misconceptions about it you need to overcome first. Sometimes, the people we’re talking to are telling us their concerns, but when we fail to listen, we miss the clues. 

If you learn to listen better, you might discover the reasons why this elderly parent does not seem willing to consider assisted living at this time. 

 

Focus on things he or she has given up. 

As people age and deal with health issues and diminishing strength, they will stop pursuing certain activities. Some of those activities may be possible again at a quality assisted living facility. 

Not all activities are going to be possible, though. You need to understand which ones are available at a particular assisted living facility. When you can match up the things your elderly mother or father have given up with activities available at a specific facility, you could get them interested by talking about those activities as though they’re still possible to do. 

 

Learn to be patient. 

This is, ultimately, a decision for this senior, not you. Even though you might not agree with their decision to not consider assisted living right away, learn to be patient. You don’t have to become their primary caregiver and sacrifice your job, time with your own family, and other things to support them, but you do need to give them time enough to consider it. 

Often, seniors who were resistant to the idea of assisted living at first warm to it in time. Your elderly mother or father might very well, too. 

 

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living Chickasaw AL, Handling an Aging Parent · 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