Three Ways You Could Be More Encouraging for a Senior Loved One as They Decide on Assisted Living

September 8, 2021 by ·

You want to be encouraging for your elderly mother or father, especially when it comes to talking about assisted living. You know this is going to be a wonderful elder care option for them, especially after all the challenges they have faced through the years.

It’s not always easy to be encouraging, though, especially when that aging senior is pushing back on your ideas. You may be well convinced of the benefits that assisted living provides and offers, but is your elderly mother or father listening?

When you do all this research, have done your homework, read about what seniors do at assisted living, and have talked about it with your mother or father, but they keep pushing back, yes, that can get discouraging.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be encouragement for them, especially after they have decided to give assisted living a try. Remember, many seniors have misconceptions about assisted living and only accept this in resignation.

They don’t have to feel reserved or worried about it, not if you encourage them through these following three amazing ways.

First, listen to what they say.

Assisted Living Mobile, AL: Encouraging Seniors

When it comes to communication skills, listening is one of the most overlooked and neglected components of it. You may be tired of hearing your father complain or whine or mope about this upcoming move, the things he won’t be able to do anymore, what’s going to happen to his house after somebody buys it considering all the hard work he put into the yard and maintenance through the years, and so on, but are you really listening?

He probably fully understands how challenging life has become. After all, who understands this better than the one going through these difficult times?

However, it’s probably saying a lot in those little moments, things you aren’t really hearing because you are not fully listening. Maybe he’s scared. Maybe he just needs you to listen and not say anything. Sometimes, listening is all you really have to do. Suddenly, that aging parent or other loved one feels like they matter still.

Second, learn more about assisted living.

Even if you have researched assisted living for months, there is going to be something else to learn. Keep learning. If your elderly father or mother has chosen a specific assisted living community in the area, make sure if you have any questions about dining options, entertainment, activities, transportation, safety, health and protection during this time of Covid, or anything else, you reach out to speak to an administrator directly.

You can help this aging senior in your life by asking questions on their behalf and learning more about it.

Third, offer to help them visit assisted living with a tour.

A lot of places today are you doing virtual tours. Many seniors don’t know how to use a tablet or smartphone and go on these “tours.” Help them.

If the assisted living community does not allow in person tours right now, help that senior in your life to see what it looks like virtually.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living · 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