Three Common Excuses Some Seniors May Use to Refuse Assisted Living (and Why Knowing These May Help)

October 9, 2019 by ·

If you don’t want to do something, what is (generally) your response? You refuse, right? An aging senior might have difficulty taking care of their house, are constantly calling family and friends for assistance with a variety of tasks, and the topic of assisted living may come up.

Some seniors may adamantly refuse to even consider the notion of assisted living, but are they doing this based on quality information? In other words, do seniors tend to dismiss the topic of assisted living because they honestly feel it’s not right for them?

Or is it because they’re afraid, have the wrong idea about what assisted living offers, or feel as though it would just be an indication the end of their life is finally here?

We can’t honestly know a person’s state of mind or what they’re thinking (unless we ask directly), but a lot of seniors dismiss assisted living offhand simply because they have built-in excuses for why they don’t want to move.

Below are three common excuses you might’ve heard from your elderly mother, father, or other loved one. When you understand these excuses, you may realize there are ways you can convince them this truly is a great option.

“I can’t afford it.”

Assisted Living Pascagoula, Al: Common Excuses Some Seniors May Use to Refuse Assisted Living

Assisted living is not much more than full-time home care, yet there are numerous benefits seniors gain by moving into an assisted living facility. If it’s not affordable, even though it very well might be based on a number of factors, is simply dismissing all of those benefits that could be enjoying instead of worrying about the cost.

Many facilities provide activities, physical support, entertainment, and even transportation for their residents. Plus, that senior wouldn’t have to worry about maintenance and upkeep of their house, including cleaning regularly.

“I’m not ready to ‘go off to pasture.’”
If assisted living means ‘the end’ is a common refrain many seniors hold onto. In truth, most residents of an assisted living facility discover some amazing activities they get to enjoy they never thought was possible.

Moving doesn’t mean they have to give up on life; in fact, they could be just getting warmed up with the right assisted living facility.

“I can take care of myself.”
Isn’t that one of the easiest things people say, even though the evidence is contrary to it? This is often rooted in fear; fear of the future, fear of the unknown, and most pressing: a fear of losing independence.

Assisted living doesn’t erase a person’s identity, individuality, or independence. It simply provides them the support they need as they age.

 

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Pascagoula AL, Common Excuses Some Seniors May Use to Refuse 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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