When You Believe Your Parents Should Move Into An Assisted Living Facility — But They Disagree

Blog

Life can be filled with difficult—but necessary—conversations. Trying to convince your parents to move to an assisted living facility is definitely one of these conversations. You might be met with resistance, stubbornness, and outright refusal. What's the best way to explain your point of view?

Be Specific

Think about why you feel that an assisted living facility is in your parents' best interests. Be specific, and you may even want to make a list. 

• Are you worried about their health—both physical and cognitive? Decreased mobility can be limiting, perhaps beginning to confine your parents to their home. Cognitive decline can be a concern too if one of your parents is beginning to exhibit potential signs of dementia.
• Are they lonely? Perhaps their social circle has shrunk, with many of their friends passing away, or even relocating to assisted living facilities. Of course, such a facility can provide a sense of community.
• Are they overwhelmed by daily life? This can include struggling to keep up with housework, and finding it difficult to complete basic errands, such as grocery shopping.

You should have particular reasons why you believe your parents should move to an assisted living facility. This will be more helpful than just simply having a vague feeling that your parents should relocate.

Other Concerned Parties

Are you the only one who feels that an assisted living facility is the best bet for your parents? Discuss the issue with your siblings, if you have them. You may also wish to consult other family members, friends, and even healthcare professionals. It's not a case of ganging up on your parents, but when they understand that you're not the only one suggesting the relocation, the argument can be more convincing.

Your Parents' Input

Be sure to give your parents some input in the decision-making process. It should be a collaborative process, which can be more productive once your parents are better informed about the realities of life in an assisted living facility. Tour some facilities in your local area. Look at the amenities on offer, and talk to the residents. This allows your parents to imagine what their daily lives would be like. Emphasize that the relocation is intended to enhance your parents' independence by offering them daily assistance—instead of ending their independence.

It's important to remain patient. The discussion and your attempts to convince your parents about the benefits of moving to an assisted living facility may take several tries, over the course of several months. It's a difficult conversation, but most definitely a necessary one.

To learn more about assisted living, contact an assisted living facility in your area.

19 July 2022