As a teenager, you might have resisted some of your parents' decisions, even when those decisions were made in your best interest. Fast forward a number of decades, and you've now found that the shoe's on the other foot. Although your parents might resist the idea of moving into an aged care facility, you may firmly believe that this is the best option for them. Convincing them of your point of view can be a delicate process. How can you persuade your parents to make the move?
A Specific Reason
Was there a specific incident or catalyst for your conclusion that assisted living has become unavoidable for your parents? This might be an accident that was suffered (and the subsequent effect on their ability to handle daily tasks), or it might have been a gradual decline. Instead of presenting this as hard evidence, talk about how it made you feel. Talk about how you feel that some form of regular assistance will not only give you peace of mind, but will substantially improve their daily lives too.
Assisted Living, Not Regulated Living
Many people have a distorted view of assisted living facilities, thinking of them as prison-like institutions where a resident's every move is regulated. Granted, some nursing homes are necessarily highly regulated, but the keyword in assisted living is assisted. Remind your parents that they're not surrendering any power they have over their own lives but are, in fact, supplementing the quality of their lives by accepting assistance.
Retaining Independence
It's important to reiterate the fact that you don't view your parents as old and infirm, nor do you wish them to give up their independence. Assisted living is less about nursing and more about providing personal care services, which can actually help to boost their independence by having some professional assistance for basic tasks, freeing up your parent's time and energy. But what to do with this ease of life, and the free time that comes with it?
Overcoming Isolation
Your parents may feel that assisted living will isolate them from their family and the greater community. By selecting the most appropriate facility, the opposite can be true. Your parents may find a sense of community within the facility, but again, it's important to restate that there's nothing confining about this living arrangement. Your parents can come and go as they like, and many facilities have self-contained apartments. The geography of the facility plays an important role, and ideally, you'll be able to find somewhere close to local attractions and amenities, and hopefully as close to your home as possible, allowing for frequent visits, meaning that your parents won't feel as though they're being excluded.
The discussion won't be an easy one, so it's important to approach it with both caution and compassion. Keep these tips in mind while looking for assisted living facilities near you.
