When the time comes for adult children to bring up assisted living with their parents, it can be challenging to know what to say. Senior assisted living is a comprehensive solution to help seniors age gracefully with adequate support and care, but it’s still a sensitive subject in many families. If the time has come to talk about assisted living with your parents, consult the tips below for how to broach the subject.

How to Productively Discuss Senior Assisted Living 

1. Be Cautious With Phrasing

When discussing assisted living, the right phrasing can make your parents more open to discussion. Using terms like “community” and “retirement-style living” are more appealing than words like “facility” or “nursing home.” It’s also helpful to highlight the activities and social opportunities available through assisted living rather than singularly focusing on care. The tone you use is also essential. Remember, this is a two-way conversation, not a lecture where you know best, and the tone you use should reflect that. 

2. Keep It an Open Discussion

No one likes being told what to do — parents included. Talking about assisted living should be treated as a joint family venture, where everyone’s best interest is represented. That means acknowledging the reasons why your parents may want to stay home, as well as the ways they would benefit from senior assisted living. Be patient while listening to one another and remember that nothing will be decided from one talk. This is a conversation that will evolve as your parents’ needs change. 

3. Identify What-Ifs

Preparing for the future includes entertaining different “what-if” scenarios so that your parents’ wishes will be appropriately honored. This includes questions like if one parent passes away, should the surviving parent downsize and move into a senior living community? While these are challenging scenarios to imagine, these are the conversations that will help your family be safe, well-cared for, and financially stable in the years ahead. Fleshing out different “what-if” scenarios as a family will help you jointly come up with a plan for your parents’ future care. 

4. Tour Facilities as a Family

Touring a facility together is an ideal way to alleviate any fears your parents might have about assisted living by showing them what kind of atmosphere and social environment to expect. It also will help your parents develop criteria for what they want from a senior living facility — like specialized care, regular group activities, and attractive amenities like a pool and gym.

If you’re looking for a trusted senior assisted living facility that offers top-notch medical care and comfortable living quarters, reach out to Hillcrest Assisted Living of Columbia, MO. For over 30 years, their staff has provided superior care in a home-like environment. Residents are all treated like family in their quiet country community. To learn more about their services, call (573) 696-3201 or visit their website.