People’s needs and priorities change as they get older. You may try to give them advice, such as encouraging them to enjoy the benefits of senior living, assisted living or Nursing Home care, but many seniors may instinctively reject outside input. If you’re having trouble communicating with a senior loved one, try one of the strategies below to improve your chances of getting through to them.

How to Encourage a Senior Parent to Listen to You

1. Blame Yourself, Not Them

Whether you’re encouraging your parents to move into a senior living community, assisted living facility, nursing home, or asking them to quit smoking, or recommending a healthy diet, your loved one may find accepting any of these recommendations to be a big change. Saying yes to your advice may hurt their sense of pride or independence, since they’re admitting that they require help.

Instead of telling them that they need what you’re recommending, shift the focus to yourself or other family members. If you’re recommending that they quit smoking, you can tell them that the boost to their health would give you some much-needed peace of mind. If you’re recommending that they move into a senior living campus, assisted living , or nursing home, you could suggest a facility close to your own family, saying that their grandchildren would love to see their grandparents more often.

2. Pick Your Battles

Remember that your loved one is an adult and that they have the right to make decisions for themselves. There may be many things you want from them, but you most likely aren’t going to get them all. Decide what’s most important and compromise on the less important ones. If they see that you’re giving in a little, they may do the same.

3. Spend Positive Time With Them

If your loved one feels that you try to push advice on them every time you interact, it will quickly turn your relationship non-productive. Spend plenty of friendly time with them. If you have a strong relationship with your aging loved one, they’ll be more receptive to your advice.

The right senior community will make the transition to independent living, assisted living, or nursing home much easier for your senior loved one. Hillview Health Care Center provides high-quality and affordable care in an environment where everyone is treated with respect. They provide many levels of care, from therapy, to independent senior living to memory care; in their peaceful community beneath the scenic bluffs of La Crosse, WI. Learn more about this assisted living community on their website or call (608) 789-4800 to schedule a tour.