How Can You Tell if an Assisted Living Facility Is Going to Benefit Your Elderly Parent?

October 14, 2021 by ·

Not every elder care option is going to benefit each senior. Some are simply going to be better than others. It’s important, though, to be aware of what those options are, including assisted living.

You might be concerned about the safety and well-being of your elderly parent. Whether this is your mother, father, or both, you have likely seen some risk factors that cause you concern if they remain where they are. You know, as they get older, their ability to take care of themselves and remain safe will become more challenging.

However, you don’t want to simply suggest assisted living if it’s not something they are going to be open to hear about or willing to entertain. You want to know as much as possible about assisted living as an option before you bring up the topic to any aging parent or other loved one.

So, how can you tell if your elderly mother or father is actually going to be receptive to the idea of assisted living in the first place? What if they simply shoot it down immediately? What if they shout you out of the room or even out of their house?

That can happen. In fact, it has happened to many family members before you and will happen to many others, too. You can’t control how somebody is going to react or respond to certain information, including about assisted living.

But, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a pretty good idea whether somebody is at least open to listening before we talk about something as important as elder care.

Is this aging parent open to different ideas?

Assisted Living in Mobile, AL: Benefits of Assisted Living

In a general sense, is your elderly mother or father pretty open to different ideas or strategies, whether it pertains to their future or things they pursued in the past?

If they are relatively close minded, opinionated, and seeming to be very sure about every decision they make, you might have a very difficult time bringing up the topic of assisted living to them.

However, if they tend to be open and willing to listen to different ideas, even if they don’t agree with them, then this type of elder care option could very well be something they at least hear you out on.

Is this aging parent quick to react?

In other words, does he or she get angry quickly, especially if they are on the defensive? If so, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid the topic of assisted living, but you need to prepare yourself were certain strong reactions.

As long as you are prepared for those strong reactions, you can hold your tongue, be patient, and let their verbal assault pass right over you.

Is this aging parent struggling at home?

If this elderly parent of yours is having a difficult time taking care of themselves without support, assistance, or you stopping by daily, then you have become a de facto caregiver.

That also means they probably fully understand the challenges they are facing and, if you talk about assisted living in a loving, open, heartfelt way, explaining all the benefits they would gain by considering this, they will see it as an act of love, not as you giving up on them.

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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