INDUSTRY INSIGHT
SENIOR CARE
SPONSORED CONTENT
How Do You Convince Your Parents
It’s Time to Move
Conventional wisdom states that we all want to stay in our own
homes. However as our parents get older, it’s not always in their best
interest. So how do you talk with them about the realities, and in some
cases the dangers of staying at home once their health is failing? And,
how do you convince your parents that it’s time to think about moving
to a senior community?
First, plant the seed. Don’t approach your parents as though
you’ve already made the decision for them. Just mention that there are
options that could make life easier and more fun.
Next, offer to take them to look at some local senior care
communities. If they are willing to look, get in the car and go! You
don’t need an appointment. Potential residents are always welcome to
stop by and look around. If they are not willing, don’t push it. Drop the
subject and wait for another day.
Watch for a “teachable moment.” Did mom or dad recently
fall? Have they been having trouble remembering to take their
medications? Are they having trouble at home because of steps?
Use these situations as teachable moments. Discuss how concerned
you are about their safety. Suggest that once they’re feeling better,
perhaps the two of you could go look at some senior living or personal
care communities. Explain how you would both feel better if they had
people around. Go with your gut on the timing, but use the “moment”
to your advantage.
Check with your friends and your parent’s friends. Find out if any
of them are living in a senior or personal care community nearby. Call
and make plans to visit. Just like your first day of school–your parent
would feel much better and the transition will be much easier if there
were a friend already living at the community.
Schedule a visit around an activity that your parent enjoys. Most
communities offer a variety of activities 7 days a week. Show off the
social aspects of the community and how much fun it would be to
have things to do every day. Keep it light and don’t force the issue.
Show interest and generate excitement for their new home. Ask
about bringing furniture from home and how much room there is.
Take measuring tapes and visualize how your parent’s room(s) would
parent enjoys
Schedule a visit around an activity that your
look. Show excitement, as you would do if you were helping your
parent move to a new apartment, because that’s what you are doing.
Discuss how worried you are about them. Enlist the help of other
siblings and family members. Schedule a family meeting and state
your case for this move. Tell them how much you love and care about
them, and how much better everyone in the family would feel if they
moved to a senior care or personal care community. (Sometimes, third
parties such as physicians and spiritual leaders can make headway
when family meetings fail.)
Most importantly, be sensitive to your parent’s feelings. Leaving
a home where he or she lived with a life partner, raised kids and once
had friends among the neighbors is emotionally difficult. Whittling
down a lifetime of possessions is hard. But with love, guidance and
support, it could also be one of the best decisions your family has ever
made.
For more information on ways to convince your parents it’s time to move, or to
schedule a complimentary lunch and tour for your loved one, contact Juniper Village
at Forest Hills at 412.244.9901.
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