Starting the conversation with your loved one about assisted living can be an emotional process. At St. Charles Community, a group of independent living apartments and cottages in Covington, Kentucky, the professional staff knows how difficult these conversations can be. That’s why they try to make everything else easier.

To decide which assisted living option is right for you and your loved one, the health care professionals at St. Charles Community recommend having a few conversations about planning for the future. When it’s time to talk to your loved one about the next steps, here are four conversation tips from the caring and compassionate team at St. Charles Community:

• Make It A Discussion: Talking about assisted living can be overwhelming and stressful. Start slowly. This should be a decision that you and your loved one make over time. Instead of sitting them down for “the talk,” ease into a dialogue. Acknowledge that it’s difficult to talk about, but that in the long run, it’s best if you know what their wishes are.
• Be Supportive: Once you’ve asked, make sure you listen. Talk through which options might be best given your loved one’s wishes and needs. Use a tone of voice that is calm and respectful, not one that is argumentative and controlling. Highlight the positives; when discussing senior living options, use the words “community” and “condo-style living” instead of “facility” and “rooms.”
• Do Some Research: Know what different types of senior living options are out there, and offer to tour the communities with your loved one. St. Charles Community offers many senior services, including home health, adult day services, and senior living. Be ready to point out the benefits of assisted living, including the opportunity to improve their physical, social, and environmental wellbeing.
• Take Your Time: Remember, unless it’s a medical emergency, this won’t be just one conversation. Recognize that your loved one probably wants to age in place, even if they know that moving into a senior living community might be for the best. One great place to start is with home health care. At St. Charles Community, in-home caregivers can provide support for activities of daily living.

Having “the talk” with loved ones about assisted living isn’t easy, but starting the conversation now will make it so much easier in the long run. For more information about the senior services provided by St. Charles Community in Covington, Kentucky, from home health to independent living apartments, visit the website or call (859) 331-3224