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How To Talk With Your Parents About Independent Living

May 4, 2023

Spring and summer bring two important days along with them: Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. These are the perfect days to celebrate your parents and let them know how much they mean to you. 

But during this time spent together, you may notice small changes, like your parents saying they don’t want to keep up with the yardwork anymore or that there aren’t many exciting things happening around their neighborhood and they feel cooped up. This may be a sign that they need a change. 

When you have an aging loved one, it’s common to think about their future and care options. You may have discussed the subject of bringing up independent living to your loved one with other family members

Senior care can be a delicate topic, but it’s best to start planning for the future now. While there are many senior living options, entering a community through independent living can be beneficial in the long run. 

We’ll help you plan how to talk with your parents about independent living so you can begin this important conversation that could lead to your loved one living a fulfilling and engaging life in their retirement. 

What Are the Benefits of Independent Living? 

When you’re having this conversation about independent living, you’ll have an opportunity to talk to your loved one about all the positive aspects of making the move. While your loved one may think of an assisted living community, where they would receive help with everyday tasks, independent living is different. 

This option offers your loved one all the freedom of living on their own with additional benefits of maintenance, security, and access to a community’s wide array of services and amenities. 

  • A Maintained, Beautiful Space. Senior living communities have regular maintenance to keep everything looking clean and beautiful, so residents are always at ease and not burdened by yard work or housekeeping.
  • Exciting Social Calendar. Social programming, clubs, and activities are always happening at senior living communities. Your loved one could join a gardening club or book club and have regular group activities to look forward to. With consistent opportunities for socialization, your loved one won’t feel isolated – an issue that can happen when seniors stay at home. 
  • Wellness-Focused Lifestyle. Independent living is all about you living the best life possible. In a senior living community, you’ll have access to amenities that promote your well-being. This could include a wellness center for physical activity, art studios to pursue your creative interests, and delicious dining options that offer nutritious meals so you always feel your best. 
  • Peace of Mind. From a community’s security, staff ready to offer help in any way possible, and the knowledge that your loved one is happy and cared for, not only will your loved one have peace of mind, but you and your family also will.

Knowing all of the ways in which senior living can enhance an older adult’s life can help you stay focused and motivated on why you’re having this difficult conversation. 

Tips for Talking With Your Parents About Independent Living

To start the conversation with your parents or loved one, it’s important to take their feelings into account with each decision. While you and the other adult children may know it’s time to talk about moving to independent living, having everyone present for the initial conversation may feel overwhelming. 

Selecting one person to meet face-to-face will likely put your loved one more at ease. Here are some additional tips for talking to your parents about senior living. 

  • Start the Conversation Before a Health Issue Arises. Many people believe moving to senior living only happens due to a health concern. This is not the case – and in some communities, moving into independent living may save money in the future if your loved one’s health care needs change and they need to move to assisted living for help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
  • Discuss the Benefits and Freedoms of Independent Living. While talking about all the great benefits of independent living, also assure your loved one that this doesn’t mean they lose their autonomy or ability to see family and friends outside of the community. They’ll get the best of both worlds – enjoying all the advantages of being in a retirement community and keeping up with all the events and activities with family and friends.
  • Offer To Help. When your loved one knows they have your support, they’ll feel more comfortable  learning more about senior living. You can  tour a community with your loved one and help ask questions so they receive all the information they need. Additionally, you can offer to help your loved one downsize so they can be stress-free when it’s time to start making the move to independent living. 

Come Visit Us at Canterbury Woods Gates Circle

Our welcoming community in Buffalo, NY, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. We invite you to see us and learn more about life at Canterbury Woods Gates Circle.  

Bring your parents in for an in-person tour of our community,, and see how enhanced their life will be at Canterbury Woods Gates Circle. You will be worry-free because you know your parents are happy and thriving – and will always be taken care of. Give us a call at (716) 427-6678 to schedule your tour today. 

 

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