Getting Frustrated Won’t Help Convince an Aging Parent to Consider Assisted Living

October 27, 2020 by ·

There can be plenty of reasons to feel frustration when trying to help an aging parent who seems to rebut every effort to discuss options. One of the best options for elderly men and women who are advancing in years, dealing with health issues, and facing diminishing strength and mobility is assisted living. 

Yet, many seniors have the wrong ideas about what assisted living is and offers. They may equate it with a different type of facility, and while completely different than most other senior care facilities, it can still carry the wrong impression. 

 

Remain calm.

Assisted Living Pascagoula, AL: Assisted Living Frustrations

It can be difficult to do that, especially when you’re frustrated every day. You might be this aging parent’s primary caregiver or live halfway around the world. In either case, you want what’s best for him or her. 

But getting frustrated is not going to help the situation. Even if you’ve been frustrated in the past trying to discuss assisted living with them, it’s time to step back. 

You don’t have to stop caring for them. You don’t have to stop supporting them. You don’t have to stop calling or stopping by to visit or helping them go shopping, get to doctors’ appointments, or even prepare meals at home. 

However, you can eventually convince them to at least consider the topic of assisted living. 

 

How do you do that? 

First and foremost, it’s about being patient. We need to remember that as we age, our physical abilities and health eventually decline. It’s not always easy for people to accept those changes. 

Your elderly parent may feel far more vulnerable than they let on. They may worry about mortality, falling, illness, or losing independence. 

This is one of the primary motivators for people to cling to the past. They don’t want to lose their independence. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about what assisted living is and offers. 

Some seniors have this idea that if they choose assisted living, it means giving up their independence and autonomy. That belief couldn’t be further from the truth, but it’s difficult to get around those walls your elderly mother or father has built up regarding this topic. 

Each assisted facility is different so, at the moment, take a tour of one, see what it offers for living quarters, dining options, entertainment, transportation, and various activities. 

The more you know about assisted living, the easier it’s going to be for you to transition the conversation in a positive way. It may be frustrating, but patience is essential here. You’ll understand why when your elderly parent finally does decide to go on a tour of a facility with you. 

 

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Pascagoula AL, Frustration When Agreeing on 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.
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