keeping the peace during a nursing home transition

The decision to talk to your parent about moving to a senior living facility can be a hard one, but is necessary in many situations. However, your parent might not agree. If your parent is not in agreement that he or she needs to live in a facility, here are some ways you can convince him or her.

Enlist Help

If your parent has been unwilling to consider the idea that he or she should live in a senior living facility, enlist help. Consider contacting the facility in which you are interested in for help. Many facilities have social workers and outreach directors who are in charge of communicating the importance of living in a facility to potential customers. 

Ask Questions

Talk directly to your parent and find out why he or she is hesitant to move into a facility. By knowing what his or her fears are, you can confront them directly. For instance, if your parent is worried that he or she will not have anything to do at the facility, you can pick up a brochure that details what types of activities are available. If your parent is worried about losing his or her freedom, you can explore options, such as moving into an assisted living facility which offers more independence.

Choose Your Timing Wisely

Even though you might believe that there is really never a good time to propose a move to your parent, there actually is. If you fail to choose the right time, you could not only turn your parent off to the idea, but also cause him or her to become frustrated.

A good time to discuss living in a facility with your parent is when a natural opening presents itself. For instance, if your parent is complaining about doing chores around the home, you could point out that at a facility, there are caregivers available who can help with maintaining the room. 

Sometimes, the best time to talk to your parent after a crisis situation has occurred. For instance, if your parent slips in the bathtub or forgets to pay an utility bill and the service is disconnected, talk to your parent. Take advantage of the moment to point out the benefits of a facility. Your parent might be more receptive in these types of situations.

There are many other methods you can use to convince your parent to move into a facility. Work with your family and your parent's medical professionals to pinpoint the best strategy.