Schedule a Meeting
Include Your Parent (or Parents) in the Conversation
Families often make the mistake of not including their parent. If they are not cognitively impaired, they should take part in the decision-making process. Ask your aging loved one their opinion about where they want to live, what their care needs are likely to include, and what assistance they may need with daily tasks. Their response may surprise you. And this will give your family a goal or request to work toward together. You cannot jeopardize their health or safety, so the solution may need to be a compromise. But if your parent is involved, the transition will be smoother.
Stop Denial with Facts
Your aging loved one may be in denial that they need help. And often, siblings are in denial as well and can hinder getting your parent help. If this is the case, then you need to have examples of your parent’s declining health or compromised safety. Has your parent fallen or been hospitalized recently? Have they recently lost weight and don’t look healthy? Has their doctor voiced concern about their health? Are they withdrawn and missing family events? If you are concerned about your parent, then they probably already need assistance of some kind. Denial is quite common among families. But to truly help your parent, everyone needs to understand why there is a concern. Keep communication open and nonjudgmental and try to stick to the facts of your parent’s behaviors that are causing concern. One issue may be that you don’t speak often enough as a family, and incidents with your parent are quickly forgotten or brushed off. Try to communicate frequently as a group, so everyone is informed.
Be Open to Other Ideas and Suggestions
Work Together as a Team
Keep Everyone Informed
We live in a digital age where everyone is attached to their cell phones and laptops. Use these resources to create lists for all family members or set video calls to keep everyone in the loop about how your parent is managing. After your first family discussion, you can decide on a time to meet as a family once or twice a month. Use these meetings to share concerns but try to state the facts of the situation and remove the emotion that can cause hurt feelings or defensiveness. Families will make better decisions as a unit if they are well informed.
Get Professionals Involved
If you and your family are concerned that your parent or loved one should no longer be living on their own, visit an Aegis Living community near you or schedule a virtual tour. Our team is passionate about helping families navigate the transition to senior living and helping to find the right fit for your loved one.
Next up
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Has your parent recently been hospitalized and needs a place to recover? Do they seem lonely and withdrawn living in a house by themselves? Or is your family feeling that your parent’s physical or mental health is declining, and they are not safe living alone? Whatever the reason or concern, your family is now facing the need for long-term care for your parent. The beginning of this process may be overwhelming. But if we break it down into parts, you can tackle each aspect and better educate yourself quickly to find the best solution for your parent. Let’s start with the financial considerations when looking for senior care, specifically assisted living and memory care.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Community?
See what Aegis Living has to offer near you! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just give us a call and we’ll be happy to guide you.
Communities Nearby
Kent
10421 SE 248th St
Kent,
WA 98030
Issaquah
780 NW Juniper St
Issaquah,
WA 98027
Aegis Gardens (Newcastle)
13056 SE 76th St
Newcastle,
WA 98056