Talking about certain topics can prove extremely difficult for some people. Parents sometimes struggle to talk about the birds and the bees with their young children. Some might have a hard time talking to a close friend about concerns they have regarding alcohol use or even drug abuse. For adult children, it may be difficult to talk about assisted living or other elder care options with an aging parent.
When you live far away from your elderly mother or father, or both, bringing up these topics can seem even more challenging, mostly because you aren’t there to see the physical, emotional, or even mental challenges they face on a daily basis.
How can you bring up the topic of assisted living to an elderly parent when you live hundreds or even thousands of miles away?
Have regular conversations first.
If you only talk to your mother or father once a year or once every few years, if you suddenly start talking about assisted living because your brother or sister asked you to, it’s not going to go too well (in most cases).
That is going to wonder why you’re talking about this. Their guard will be up. Their defenses will be up.
The first thing you need to do is start having regular conversations. Call every few days or at least once a week and have a conversation. Ask your mother or father what he or she was doing during the week. Ask if they went anywhere. Ask if they would like to do something or if there’s something they’re missing out on.
When you have these regular conversations, not only will you build trust, but you will also start to hear admissions about various challenges they’re facing, like getting out of bed in the middle of the night or mishaps they had walking up and down stairs.
Learn as much as you can about assisted living in their area.
Depending on where your mother or father lives, assisted living could be right down the street or 30, 60, or more minutes away from where they live now. Most seniors who have lived in the same town for at least many years have built friendships, and connections they don’t want to leave.
You might immediately suggest they live near you, but understand they might be more comfortable near their friends, people their own age, and people they can do things with on a regular basis.
Find the assisted living communities in their area, near them, and discover what they offer, the benefits they provide, and the various activities that may take place regularly.
Be willing to let them vent.
The first time you bring up assisted living with an aging parent, they might get frustrated. They may lash out. They may yell at you or hang up the phone. Let it happen.
Don’t lash back. It’s a scary time for somebody who’s struggling with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Don’t take it personally. Let them vent and take your time. Be patient. Remember, when you’re talking about this from a distance, you can only do it on the phone and you don’t want to burn that bridge. So, give it time.
If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Care Services in Marietta GA please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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