The best time for you to talk about retirement homes with your parents is when
everyone is present, for instance, on a special occasion. Special occasions
will give you more time to help and bond with your parents, whether preparing
the family's favorite meal or redesigning and cleaning the room. This special
occasion is also the ideal time to enlighten yourself with the current
situation of your parents on their senior
living.
Tips to Discuss the Idea of Retirement Homes with Your Parents
Regardless of how often you see your parent, the
topics about retirement homes can be
one of the toughest discussions you will ever make with your parents. But you
have to know that it is essential. Here are some tips that you can do to tackle
the topic of assisted living with your parents effectively.
Understanding the Situation
Creating a change in your lifestyle is always
difficult regardless of your age. In fact, according to several studies that
were conducted, it is one of the most stressful events that you have to face.
You must understand that senior living will be tougher with your parents
considering their current state and age.
Being Sensible
Be realistic that the conversation about retirement homes will not be a one-time
discussion. It is a series of talks that you will have to take for your parents
to realize the importance of assisted living. Understand that your parents may
not approve of the idea of senior living during your initial conversation.
Avoid the "you" word
Using the "you" pronoun may not work out
when you are talking about the idea of retirement
homes. It may sound like an accusation rather than proof of caring. Telling
them that "you don't get to move that easily compared to what it used to
be" can be adjusted to "I worry for your current condition."
Always try to change "you" into "I."
Being a Pro-Active Listener
When you discuss the idea of retirement homes with your parents, it is always essential to allow
room for conversation. Do not let the discussion stay one-sided. Hear your
parents' side if you want them to also listen to your insights. Ask them to
elaborate on their take on assisted living so you will understand their
situation well.
Taking a Break
As it was mentioned, changing their lifestyle will be
stressful. Discuss assisted living naturally
with your parents. If you feel like your parents are getting tired with the
discussion, take a break and perform hobbies and activities that you usually do
with them before discussing it again.
Provide examples
The hesitation of your parents about retirement homes may come from their
lack of knowledge and the common misconception about assisted living. Provide a
tangible example of the benefit of living in a retirement community.
Seeking the help of the experts
Seeking the help of the experts on assisted living can help your parents come
up with a decision. They can help you emphasize that there are people who care.
It can validate your concern about their condition.
Knowing the advantages of a retirement homes can be a major part of the consideration. The right
amount of information can give your parents a serene mind and alleviate their
anxiety when changing their lifestyle.
Choosing the Right Retirement Homes
There will come a time that your loved ones will no
longer be able to live on their own. Entrusting your parents' or spouse's safety
and care to someone who is a total stranger to you can be hard. You always want
to make sure that all their needs are met, and they are safe and secured. The
experts believe that there are practical and simple ways of ensuring that they
get the best care depending on their condition. You have to be vigilant to
guarantee that they are being provided with the assistance they need. When you
are opting for retirement homes,
there is always a possibility that a mistake will happen since they care for
many patients. So, here are some things to consider to ensure that the nursing
home is the best in the area.
The Taste of the Food
The first thing you have to do is dine in with your
parents in the nursing facility. It will make them feel that you are attentive
to their needs and tell you about the taste and the condition of the food they
provide to their patients. Foods are a crucial factor when it comes to choosing
retirement homes. It is a known fact
that older people develop a certain sensitivity to foods as they age. They also
tend to lose their appetite, greatly affecting their health.
Listen
When you are touring the retirement homes facility, many patients will ask for
"help." Do not pay too much attention to this since it is a common
sign of Dementia. What you should pay attention to is how the staff responds to
the clamor of their patients. Are they addressing them formally or more
intimately by using "Grandma" or "Mama?"
The Smell
Some Nursing Homes have a certain odor that cannot be avoided. This is due to the
specific medication of their patients. There are also certain times when older
people tend to lose control of their bowel movements and bladder, so it is
typical for a nursing home to have this funky odor. However, if you smell an
unbearable stench like urine, it is a sign that the staff is not conducting
proper cleanliness on the area.
The Staff
You should look at any sign that the staff of the retirement homes is overworked. The
facility should be complete with enough staff to attend to all the needs of the
patients. Ask them about the ratio of the nurse to the patients. An overworked
nurse means that they are also over-stressed. They will be highly irritable and
less attentive to the needs of the patient. You shoud also chekc for any signs of abusive staff.
Finally, if you notice any problem with your loved
ones in the retirement homes, such as
bruises or bedsores, the first person you should talk to is the manager of the
floor. If it is a persistent or recurring condition and the floor manager is
not doing anything to resolve the issue, it is the right time for you to write
a letter of complaint to the home administrator.
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