Hi lovelies,
When we are children we look at our parents like superheroes. We see them as being ever constant and never changing and we trust in that. Of course, as we become teenagers and then grow into adults we understand that our parents are not permanent fixtures in our lives. In fact we understand the nuance of death, and we understand that we subconsciously prepare ourselves for that happening.
As you watch your parents go from vibrant, dancing, moving adults 2 senior parents who need assisted living facilities, it can feel bittersweet. Of course, parents can be vibrant and dancing adults when they're in their 60s, 70s or 80s, but the reality is supported living is going to help your parents to be as independent as possible as they age. It's never an easy conversation to have, but sometimes the best way to support your parents as they become seniors is to accept that they may need some help. So, here are some of the ways that you can still support your senior parents and be productive in their future.
Keep communication as clear as possible. If you do think your parents need to move into an assisted living facility, then the best thing to do is to talk about it. When it comes to supporting your parents as they age, it may feel like you're being condescending or talking down to them, but this is going to hurt them more than anything else. Remember, these are not children you are dealing with, but fully functioning adults. Engaging an open conversation and discussing the level of support and care that they now need. In their eyes it may feel like you're abandoning them, but what you're really doing is helping.
Allow your parents to take a lead in their future. It is natural for you to want to step in and take care of your parents after they spent their lives taking care of you. But you should remember that they may not need as much help as you think they do. Allow them to lead the decisions themselves and talk about their care and treatment that they need. If they want any help with making decisions, offer up your opinion and then let them decide what to do. They could be worried that they're putting too much on your plate, and they may not want to impose, but this is one way that you can take that off the list knowing that you've done everything you can.
Be respectful. Firstly you need to be as respectful as you can because these are still your parents. Whether they still have all of their cognitive functions or those are starting to disappear with dementia, this is still the person that taught you how to walk and talk, so you don't get to spend time telling them what they should be doing. Being patient, respectful and kind in your wording is important because you need to realize that you are lucky to be in a position to provide them with any kind of assistance and then you can do your best to make it work.
Prioritizing their well being and ensuring that they are taking care of themselves or they have somebody to do it is important and you should make sure that you keep putting that message across that their well being comes first.
