Three Ideas That Could Change a Loved One’s Opinion on Assisted Living

May 13, 2021 by ·

You might be meeting a wall of resistance when it comes to talking about assisted living with your elderly mother or father. That can be frustrating, yes, but don’t allow that to get in the way of your relationship with this aging senior.

This senior needs you. And while it can be frustrating, you want to take things of a sensitive nature slowly to make sure you don’t alienate them or cause them to withdraw from you and the support might be providing them at this moment.

Instead, consider a few ideas that could help change their mind, or at least get them thinking about the benefits assisted living has to offer.

Idea #1: Listen to them.

Assisted Living Theodore, AL: Opinions on Assisted Living

Listening is one of the most important and critical tools of communication, but it’s one we often neglect the most. You may see your elderly mother struggling with daily life and know that assisted living would be better for her, so in your desire to help her, you don’t listen to what she has to say.

When you listen to what this aging senior is saying or even not saying about assisted living, the struggles they face, and so on, you might hear questions in the gaps. You might hear their concerns, misconceptions, and understand better why they are resistant to this idea in the first place.

Idea #2: Talk about activity.

This senior is likely doing a lot less than they used to. He or she might have given up certain sports or outdoor activities, time with friends, and so forth because of their diminishing strength, physical abilities, or health issues.

When you talk about activities as though they are still possible, you may pique their interest. You could also cause them to get frustrated with you, but when you explain that they made very well be far more active at assisted living than they are now, they might want to hear more.

In fact, they often do want to hear more about that.

Idea #3: Emphasize quality of life.

We often overlook quality of life in lieu of safety, but for an elderly person, they want to maintain as high a quality of life as possible, given their physical limitations, health challenges, and other issues.

When you emphasize quality of life, assisted living is a key part of that equation. When you talk about improving quality of life and assisted living together, you might actually get this senior to listen to you more closely. And that’s a great way to start the conversation about it.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Theodore, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living 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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