3 Ways to Bring Up the Topic of Assisted Living with a Loved One

May 31, 2016 by ·

Assisted Living in Spanish Fort AL

You’ve been thinking about it for some time, but you don’t know how to broach the topic. You know your mother would be better suited in assisted living, especially given her age, physical Assisted-Living-Spanish Fort-ALcondition, and other factors. She lives alone in a house that seems far more than she can handle with regard to general maintenance and cleaning.

Broaching these topics with an aging parent or other elderly loved one is not necessarily easy, but it doesn’t have to be as challenging as some people think. June is Effective Communications Month and there are plenty of ways to go about talking of certain topics, including assisted living.

Here are three ways you might consider bringing up the topic with your aging mother, father, or other loved one. Keep in mind, though, that if they’re not responsive or become agitated or angry at the mere mention of it, it’s time to drop the subject, avoid getting angry, and respect their wishes. In time, they will likely begin realizing it might be a great option to consider.

1. Over dinner.

Your mother probably understands your basic mannerisms and the way you bring up certain topics, especially of a sensitive nature, and if you took her out to dinner before having a serious conversation with her in the past, she will be expecting that again.

You can make dinner for her, with her, or go out to dinner. While eating, you can bring up the topic of assisted living, only this, and other issues she may be dealing with at the moment.

2. Talk about things she’s given up.

There might be a number of things your mother has given up in recent years that she would like to do once more. If she gave them up because of her physical limitations, health issues, or other factors, including no longer being able to drive herself, you can ‘pick her brain’ regarding some of the activities she would love to do once again.

Many of those activities might be common at assisted-living. That can open the doorway for this type of conversation.

3. Find out about friends of hers already in assisted living.

If your mother has friends who moved to assisted living in recent months or years, talk about them. Find out if she’s spoken to them recently and how they’re doing.

Most likely they’re having a great time, enjoying their new living situation, and that can help you bring up the topic of her possibly making this transition as well.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Spanish Fort, 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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