While the title of this article will make it seem that there is nothing you can really do about forcing someone to move into assisted living, there are some things that you could do to undermine a person’s free will. However, the emphasis here is not that you may be legally able to compel a court to move someone into a nursing home or assisted living facility because their welfare is deemed to be in jeopardy otherwise, but that you should always respect the elderly individual’s wishes and desires when possible.
Why we tend to push our opinions on those around us.
If you have an elderly loved one who is having trouble tending to his or her personal care needs at home, who may be forgetful, or who you believe is actually a risk to themselves or others around them, you don’t want to see them get hurt. You want to protect them, to make sure that they are safe within their home, and that others around them are also safe.
When you notice risks, you may believe that your suggestion about assisted living or a nursing home is in their best interest but when they flat out refuse to even consider that option, you may get angry, frustrated, and that can cause you to dig your heels in deeper.
When we believe that we are right and the other person is wrong, we have a tendency to become more entrenched in our beliefs. This causes us to not listen to what the other person has to say, or to try and see things from their point of view. This is what leads too many of us to consider ‘forcing’ our elderly loved one to give up what they want and ‘do the right thing.’
The proper way to approach the topic.
While you may be concerned about your loved one’s safety, they are likely comfortable in their home. Assisted living may be an abstract concept for them, something they know little about or have preconceived notions about.
Gather as much information as you can about different facilities in the area. Learn about the activities that your loved one can partake in; focusing on those that you believe would interest them. Find a way to highlight the benefits of living there and use that as your starting point.
The last thing you should want is to force someone to give up their home and move somewhere they don’t want to go. In order to keep your loved one safe, extolling the benefits and comforts of assisted living may be the best first step in convincing them that it’s the right choice. Once you’ve done that, you must rely on patience.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living in Mobile AL, at 251-317-3017.
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