The idea of moving to assisted living can raise a variety of emotions for an individual – hesitation, resistance, fear – making it challenging to talk about it with someone you love. This is why it is important to know how to address the topic to make it as smooth and as positive as possible.McClellan Senior Living proudly offers all-inclusive independent and assisted senior living options in Anniston, Alabama. We want to help you and your family have these essential conversations. We know that assisted living can be a touchy subject, so we’re sharing five tips to help you start the conversation about assisted living.
Research Your Options
Before making any significant decision, research should always be the first step. This rule also applies to choosing the right assisted living community for your loved one.
Researching assisted living care and availability will give you a better understanding of what options are available to you and prepare you for the conversation so you can provide educated and confident responses to any questions your family member may have.
LEARN MORE: ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES
Talk About Assisted Living in a Positive Way
There are many misconceptions about assisted living communities. Your loved one may be hesitant to the idea because of these myths, not realizing that today’s assisted living communities, like McClellan Senior Living in Anniston, Alabama, offer welcoming environments with supportive care and active lifestyles.
Be sure to talk about the idea of assisted living in a positive way, highlighting all the amenities and benefits of how this lifestyle change could improve your loved one’s quality of life. Many individuals focus on what they think they’ll “lose” by moving into an assisted living community, but you want to remind them of all that they will gain!
Make Planning for the Future an Ongoing Conversation
As we get older, planning for the future because more important. Health needs can change, accidents can happen, and care may be needed. It is better to prepare for these scenarios than to wait and have to scramble to find solutions should an emergency occur. Plus, planning allows you to explore all possibilities as opposed to choosing between limited options later.
Talking about assisted living before your loved one may need support lets them get their mind around the idea before moving is necessary. If you wait until it is time to make the transition, the conversation could feel like you are telling your family member what they have to do, potentially leading to further resistance and tension.
Include Your Family Member in the Decision-Making Process
We all want to maintain our independence but having a family member tell us that we have to move into an assisted living community can feel like our independence is being taken away from us. Even though assisted living communities encourage and help individuals maintain their independence, it may not feel that way when the decision is not ours..
When you talk to your loved one about transitioning into assisted living, make sure to recognize their feelings and keep their personal preferences in mind.
Know When it is Time to Make the Move
While you may have started the conversation about assisted living early, you also need to understand when it is time to put your plan into motion. Signs that your parent or family member may need the support of an assisted living community could include:
- They have chronic health conditions,
- Are having trouble managing their medications,
- They need help with the activities of daily living,
- Or they are experiencing social isolation and feelings of loneliness.
All-Inclusive Senior Living in Anniston, Alabama
McClellan Senior Living’s assisted living community is a comforting, supportive environment that encourages residents’ sense of accomplishment. Each aspect of our assisted living community was designed with the resident in mind, ensuring that every need is met. Our mission is to help residents get excited to start a new day at McClellan Senior Living.
Our community provides older adults with the attention they need and the care they deserve. Each member of our team consistently demonstrates their commitment to enriching the lives of our residents by valuing their preferences and honoring their traditions.
To learn more about our all-inclusive senior living community and the services we offer, we invite you to contact a member of our team.