Sometimes aging seniors develop physical or mental health problems that compromise their ability to live safely at home. As their child, it can be difficult to broach a sensitive topic like assisted living, but after a point, it can become necessary for your parents to consider such a move. Use this guide to come up with a plan to bring up the issue and positively discuss it with your mom or dad.

Do:

Make it a long-term decision.

Deciding whether your parents need to move to an assisted living community should be a long-term conversation and not an on-the-spot decision. Start by asking questions about what your parents want for themselves as they age. Do they want to maintain an entire house and property?

Discuss how their health might be impacting their day-to-day life. Could they use help? Do they forget to take medications? Having them come to these realizations on their own will make it easier to show them how their life can be improved with assisted living.

Have them visit facilities with you.

While you should do preliminary research about nearby assisted living facilities, you don’t want to select one without your parents’ input. Since they will be the ones living in the community, they should be allowed to visit the different locations and decide what they do and don’t like about them. After making the rounds, you can sit down as a family and weigh the pros and cons of each place.

Don’t:

Go it alone.

When you are worried about your parent’s health and living situation, have backup to support your point of view. This way, your mom or dad will be less likely to deflect your concerns. Ask siblings, friends, and other close relatives to bring up their concerns. If you have limited resources, go straight to their doctor for advice and recommendations.

Ignore their fears and frustrations.

Moving to an assisted living community can be daunting for elderly individuals who have lived in the same home for decades. Even if they realize their health is declining or feel isolated, their house provides emotional comfort and safety. Calmly discuss their worries about moving while explaining how the move would relieve a lot of other stress and anxiety they might be experiencing.

Ensure your parents can age with grace and respect by choosing The Mann House to handle all of their health care needs. These assisted living facilities have been a fixture in the Atlanta and Cumming, GA, communities for over 30 years. Their certified nursing assistants and registered nurses provide 24/7 personalized, hands-on care for seniors with chronic age-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Call them today at (770) 844-9055 to schedule a tour, and visit their website to learn more about their senior living services.