Talking to an aging loved one about their living situation is hard. It can cause a lot of negative feelings to come out. Your beloved senior may think that you are trying to kick them out of their home. There are a few ways you can start the senior living talk so that no one gets hurt.
7 Ways to Start the Senior Living Talk
The key to any tough conversation is to listen as well as communicating. Both sides have to do this so that a conversation can actually happen.
1. Understand the Situation
A significant life change in your living situation can affect anyone despite their age. It’s one of the most stressful situations someone can go through, so keep your loved one’s stress levels in mind.
2. Be Realistic
This is not a one-time discussion. It’s really a series of them. You should know that your loved one will probably not agree the first time and that one conversation will not give you a solution.
3. Avoid “You” Statements
Any statement starting with “you” can feel like you are attacking your loved one. Instead, focus on “I” statements. An example could be “I worry about your safety.”
4. Be an Active Listener
Do not take over the conversation. Make sure to ask open-ended questions and actually listen when your loved one responds. If you need to, ask them to explain so you can understand what they are saying.
5. Encourage a Natural Dialogue
This means don’t force the talk. It will be awkward to talk about your senior’s future living plans, so take breaks. Go for a walk, do a puzzle, drink some tea. This will make it feel more natural when you do talk.
6. Give Good Examples
If your senior hasn’t considered moving out of their home, they probably don’t want to discuss different options. You should give specific and detailed examples of why other options like at-home care or an assisted community works.
This could make your reasons easier to understand. So share your specific concerns.
7. Bring in Experts
Experts can help make your case. You can bring in research or someone from the senior living field to talk to your parents. You can even bring other family members in the conversation so that your senior knows how many people care about their safety.
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