Don’t Put Off the Talk About Assisted Living

March 8, 2016 by ·

Assisted Living in Mobile AL

It’s easy to procrastinate. In fact, there are far more people who procrastinate at some point during the week than there are those who get everything done on schedule, every time. While you may Assisted-Living-Mobile-ALbe thinking it’s time to have a conversation with your aging mother about assisted living or other care options, you might also be tempted to put the conversation off, at least for another couple of days.

Those ‘couple of days’ could end up being a week, then another week, and before you know it a month or two has already passed. March 6th through the 12th is National Procrastination Week and while it is designed to celebrate those who have a tendency to put things off, it’s a reminder that this is a conversation you should have as soon as possible.

Why it’s important to begin the conversation now.

When you begin worrying about your elderly mother, you’re probably thinking about her safety. You’ve probably noticed it takes her longer to walk down the hall, she is not as steady on her feet, or she’s had health issues in the past. You go home and you call to check in on her, and then you can’t fall asleep very easily at night because you worry that she may have fallen and can’t reach the phone.

The moment you begin having concerns about your loved one is the moment you need to bring the topic up for discussion. This doesn’t mean your mother is going to agree to any type of assistance or even admit she has difficulty, but it will plant something in her mind that you are concerned about her.

In truth, she is probably concerned about herself as well, but people often have a difficult time admitting their own limitations, especially when they have spent an entire life taking care of themselves, raising children, and looking after others.

What procrastinating does.

When you procrastinate, you give yourself one excuse after another why you shouldn’t have to bring this topic up for discussion. Maybe your mother hasn’t fallen and been injured yet. Maybe she hasn’t had a health emergency.  Eventually that will no longer be the case. You need to ask yourself, are you willing to take those chances?

Your mother doesn’t have to agree to move or accept any outside help, but when she knows you’re concerned about her safety and well-being, she will eventually open the door to have this conversation again.

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.

 

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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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