Initiating a conversation with a senior parent about transitioning to community living can be challenging, but not impossible. It’s an important step in confirming their safety, health, and happiness.

By approaching this topic with empathy, and positivity, and including your loved one in the process, you can guide them toward accepting the help they need.

Signs that Indicate Your Parent Needs Help 

Before approaching this conversation with your parent, it’s necessary to determine whether they require additional care and assistance that cannot be provided at home.

It can be hard watching our loved ones grow older but remaining positive and supportive goes a long way. 

Decline in Physical Health

One of the most noticeable signs that a parent may require additional support is a decline in their physical health. 

This may look like changes in their appearance through weight fluctuations, frequent illness, and chronic fatigue. In community living, residents have access to regular health check-ups and assistance with medication management and meal preparation, helping to maintain their physical health.

Decline in physical health may also look like mobility concerns, which can lead to issues like falls and injuries. In community living, our accessible floorplans provide residents with wide hallways and supportive handrails to help maintain balance.  

Safety Concerns 

Safety concerns are another significant indicator which can put your loved ones health at risk. 

If your loved one has experienced falls or accidents or forgot to turn off their appliances, maybe you’ve noticed expired food in the fridge or unpaid bills piling up, these signs suggest that managing daily tasks has become challenging.

Assisted living and memory care communities provide residents with assistance with daily tasks, regular dining experiences, and housekeeping, allowing your loved one to focus on their wellness without worrying about mundane daily stresses.

Plus, these communities are equipped with round-the-clock professional care and support, who can assist your loved one at any time. 

Increasing Cognitive Decline 

Increasing incidents that suggest the onset of cognitive decline or worsening symptoms shouldn’t be overlooked. 

If your parent frequently forgets appointments, misplaces items, or struggles to recall names and places, it’s time to consider professional care. 

Memory care communities are designed to support individuals experiencing cognitive decline, providing tailored activities and therapies that help stimulate cognitive function, in a safe and welcoming environment. 

How to Talk to Your Parent About Community Living

Talking to your parent about accepting additional support may be a sensitive topic, as many wish to maintain their independence. 

It may take time for your parent to understand where their loved ones are coming from. Once you openly share your concerns about their health, they may gradually come to understand your perspective as they continue to navigate their daily activities. 

The goal of this conversation isn’t to push them into agreeing with this transition. It’s important to hear both sides of the conversation so that you and your parent can move forward with a balanced approach. 

Be Empathetic

Your approach to this conversation can make all the difference. Leading with empathy can help your parent feel safe enough to open up about their feelings and their struggles. 

Begin by expressing your concerns out of love, not obligation. Use empathetic language and assure them that this decision comes from a place of care. 

Don’t dismiss their feelings, actively listen to their fears and reservations, while gently guiding them towards the idea that community living can enhance their life.

Stay Positive

Focus on the positive aspects of community living. Some older adults may feel uncertain about transitioning to community living because of the life they’ve curated independently over the years.

Reassure by letting them know this shift in location doesn’t mean they’re losing connection with the world they’ve created. In addition to the new friends and activities they’ll get to experience in community living, they can still maintain their connections with their friends, families, and solo activities.  

Explain how professional assistance with daily tasks and medical needs can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. Reassure them that this move intends to preserve their independence, not diminish it.

Include Them in the Process 

Involving your parent in the decision-making process can alleviate their fears about losing autonomy. 

Take the time to ask them what qualities they are looking for in a long-term care community. Visit potential communities together, allowing them to interact with staff and residents. 

Including your parent in this process can empower them and make the transition feel like a joint decision rather than an imposition.

Finding the Right Care Community

When speaking with your parent about accepting support, it’s beneficial to understand which type of care community will be most compatible with their needs. 

Finding the right care environment can provide them with the appropriate level of care and help maintain social connections, improving their quality of life. 

When researching care communities, consider factors like proximity to family and friends, staff qualifications, available services and amenities, and community culture. 

Understanding Assisted Living vs. Memory Care

Our community at NorBella Senior Living provides residents and families with two forms of long-term care, each carefully designed to support different aspects of healthy aging: 

• Assisted Living 
• Memory Care

Assisted living is ideal for older adults who are relatively independent but require help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management. Residents are often mobile, and self-sufficient, but benefit from occasional assistance. 

Memory care is a specialized form of long-term care designed for individuals experiencing cognitive decline with conditions dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These communities provide structured routines and activities that help stimulate cognitive function while promoting social connection. 

Additionally, our professional staff is trained to handle the unique challenges associated with those experiencing cognitive decline, confirming your loved ones are approached with compassion, empathy, and knowledge. 

Ultimately, choosing the right community involves confirming the level of care, atmosphere, and services and amenities align with your parent’s needs, preferences, and lifestyle. 

Schedule a Tour

Approaching your loved one with empathy, and positivity, and including them in the transition process can make it easier for them to understand their need for additional help.

Connect with our team at NorBella Senior Living to schedule a tour of our care communities to learn which option is most suitable for your loved one’s needs.