How to Start the Retirement Home Talk with Your Parents?

Talking to your parents about assisted living can be tough. They may resist this transition and feel like they are forced out of their homes. In most cases, spouses and children just dance around the issue and pretend that there’s no problem because they are unsure of how their loved ones will react.

Putting off the discussion for another time might leave you with no time for pre-planning. In addition, being prepared before the transition can also eliminate some of the uncertainty and anxiety from the equation, thus, making it easier for everyone involved.

Use these tips to start a conversation about senior living choices to make sure you are having a healthy discussion rather than a pandemic of frustration, anger, and accusations. You can also contact a memory care home agency like Assured Assisted Living that can help you start the conversation and talk you through what their options may be. 

Create a List of Concerns for Your Aging Parent 

Before initiating the conversation about senior care, create a list of concerns for your aging parent. Some of these concerns as follows:

Financial Situation

Consider the financial status of your parents to not only avoid unnecessary surprises but also bring solid information into the table.

Your Parent’s Illness 

Research the progression of the illness if your parents suffer from health conditions in order to learn how it could impact their ability to stay at home. There are care service providers that offer long-term attention for seniors who suffer from memory impairments, dementia, heart failure, and Parkinson’s disease.

If your parents suffer from the mentioned health issues, involve the family doctor in the conversation so you can tactfully share and discuss the services offered by assisted living homes.

Exploring options and educating yourself about successful aging can provide you with credibility and confidence to start the discussion.

Revisit Conversations

The first attempt in convincing parents to move into a retirement home is often unsuccessful. Perhaps the best situation is to discuss it whenever your parents are complaining about the difficulty of accomplishing something.

Always mention how assisted living homes and senior care service providers can provide the extra help they need and will lighten their burden and avoid injuries in the future. Also, consider a group meeting between your siblings to encourage your parents to take that huge step.

In talking with your parents, find out what they will miss about home, and offer them reassurance.

Always Keep Your Parents Involved In Decisions

Decisions are more effective when several people are involved from the start. This holds true for seniors who also want to be able to choose where they live and the type of care they receive. Initially, you can invite your parents to participate in senior living community tours or visit your friends and relatives who have already made the transition.

This enables them to see the settings first-hand and feel of how it functions. Many modern facilities are loaded with activities that could offer your parents a host of social interactions. It allows them to talk candidly with current residents about their experiences, which could help in making the right decision.

Things to Look in an Assisted Living Facility

With many assisted living homes and senior care service providers available, the huge amount of options can be overwhelming. Here are things that you should consider before choosing an assisted living facility to make sure that your parents are well taken care of.

1. Location 

Location plays a critical role in choosing the right assisted living facility. About 60% of senior individuals move into a new community to meet their respective needs or save in costs. Make sure to visit the closest assisted living communities first, and compare the costs and services they offer.

2. Services

When you are evaluating your options consider the full range of services available. A typical assisted living home treats seniors with dining services and housekeeping, as well as medication management and laundry. There are also facilities that invest in programs focusing on health and wellness. Other services available may include access to health and medical services, emergency call systems, and transportation.

3. Staff and Residents

The staff of your chosen assisted living facility will become an everyday part of life of your parents. Make sure to ask the schedules of staff members and their experience in senior health care.

Other than the staff, you should also observe the behavior of the residents as they can sometimes give a clue to how well the assisted facility is being managed. If your parents don’t feel comfortable with the staff and residents, choose a different facility. 

4. Recreational and Cultural Amenities

Every assisted living home is complete with recreational and cultural amenities. The facilities your parents have enjoyed through their lives will give you tips in finding the right retirement destination. 

5. Costs 

Prior to committing to a retirement community, every immediate family member will need to agree to pay an entrance fee and a recurring monthly fee and additional fees for extra services. This indicates that it is important to be able to evaluate the finances of your parents to avoid debts. 

Time is of the essence. Convert an appropriate amount of savings and/or Charleston retirement communities funds into lifetime income starting immediately and make sure it is adequate to keep pace with a reasonable expectation of inflation. 

Types of Assisted Living

There are different types of assisted living available for your parents, depending on their requirements and needs. Among the most common variations include memory care, end-of-life care, and nursing homes. It is best to remember that the ideal community for your parents is a place that can nurture their body, mind, and spirit.