A ‘Difficult’ Parent Refuses to Go to Assisted Living: Now What?
Assisted Living Facilities in Hollywood Park TX: A ‘Difficult’ Parent Refuses to Go to Assisted Living: Now What?
There are so many challenges in life, the last thing anyone needs is to constantly fight with a family member, like an elderly parent, about what’s ‘best for them.’ Often, when adult children begin noticing their mother or father having difficulty taking care of themselves and being safe at home, they might encourage them to move in with them or even consider other living arrangements, which could include assisted living.
For the parent who refuses assisted living, what’s next?
A senior has every right to decide what happens in their life and where they live. Yes, they may be having extreme difficulty with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but that doesn’t mean an adult child, sibling, or even a spouse can decide where they live. Unless a person has power of attorney over this individual, they can’t decide where they live, what they do, and whether or not they accept other people’s advice or opinions.
This can cause tension in the relationship.
Children don’t want to see their parents struggling. They were don’t want to go home at the end of the day, having stopped by for a visit, and imagining them falling down, being hurt, and unable to call for help. That can cause a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety.
So, what they often do is try to tell their mother or father what they should be doing. “Mom,” they might say, “you need to consider your safety. Assisted living (or other option) is important to think about.”
These adults, these children who may have already raised their own children, may see the challenges and know exactly what the right decision to make is, but if this is not their ultimate decision to make, they need to understand and accept that, as difficult as it can be.
So what options are available?
Perhaps the best thing to consider doing in this type of situation is learn as much as possible about assisted living. There are plenty of facilities and most of them will provide tours for prospective residents and/or their family members. Go on a tour, sit down with an administrator, talk about the benefits, the activities, and the reasons why seniors enjoy living there. Learn about the cost, figure out a plan, and then determine how this type of environment could be beneficial at improving quality of life for the senior.
Then, approach the senior by focusing in on things they may be missing, possibly some loneliness or feelings of isolation, and then segue into explaining why this would be a great decision to make. Then, once they see it from that perspective, they may be more open to the idea.
For more information about Pipestone Place Assisted Living in San Antonio, TX or to take a tour, call today (210) 718-0211.
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