Having an Honest Conversation about Assisted Living
Assisted Living in Terrell Hills, TX
When you want to have a conversation about assisted living with your mother, honesty is always the best policy. You may be quite adamant that this is the right decision for her, but ultimately it’s up to her, not you.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the desire to make sure an elderly loved one is safe and not actually listen to what they have to say with regard to their own safety and well-being. The best way to have an honest conversation is to be willing to address questions, comments, and concerns another individual may have with regard to the topic at hand.
When discussing assisted living, your elderly mother may have certain concerns about it. There are many misconceptions about assisted living people have. Seniors may have a certain impression of assisted living from their own parents or grandparents who might have relied on this type of care during the later years of their life. 30 or 40 years ago assisted living was quite a bit different than it is today. Many of the facilities back in that time were basic and functional. They might’ve had a cafeteria rather than a restaurant, they may have had dorm style rooms, and their staff might not have been as responsive as the seniors needed. In many situations people often confuse assisted living with nursing homes.
Today that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most assisted living facilities in the United States today are considered high quality living environments. They might have a full exercise facility with the best, state-of-the-art equipment for any resident to use at any time. Their entertainment room can feel like a small movie theater that is private, just for residents.
As for the dining facilities, most of them now have full, high quality restaurants rather than cafeterias. This gives the residents a restaurant feel and allows them to order food that is carefully arranged and prepared by a high-quality chef.
So what about honesty?
It’s absolutely important not to sugarcoat things, make them seem better than they are at any particular facility, and address concerns the senior or other family members may have about assisted living.
Any time somebody has a question it should be answered openly and honestly. If those questions are not answered in that manner, it can lead to apprehension and distrust if the conversation continues on.
If your aging mother refuses to talk about assisted living, you also need to be honest and explain why you are so concerned about her safety at home. She may want to rely on family members or friends to help out, but she could be missing out on incredible opportunities with other seniors, even some of her own friends, who chose assisted living.
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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