At some point in every adult’s life, we have to make tough decisions regarding our parent’s care. Now they may be in perfect health now, but at some point you are going to be faced with what to do if your parents health declines drastically. They may have a plan in place. They may not have a plan in place. A lot of people don’t think about what they are going to do if they become too sick to live alone. So how do you talk to your parents about their independent lifestyle? That is the question this article will answer.
Don’t Act Like You’re The Boss
This is the person that raised you. Even though your parent may be in frail health, you should still respect that fact. When you go to talk to your mom or dad about their options, don’t use ultimatums. Don’t act like you are the one in charge. Even if what you are presenting your parent with is the best choice, if you don’t present it correctly the results will not be good. Instead of helping your parent, you will alienate them.
Make The Adjustment Seem Like It Was Your Parent’s Idea
If you have to do things that will drastically change your parent’s life, make it seem like it was your mom or dad’s idea. Leave a brochure for whatever product it is you are trying to get them to buy on the table before you leave. Casually leave a website up for whatever it is you are trying to get them to do. Mention how one of their close friends is already doing whatever it is your parent needs to do to stay well. Odds are if you drop enough hints, they will get the idea and swear they came up with it on their own.
Put Yourself In Your Parent’s Shoes
People put a lot of work and effort into their homes. It is one of their biggest investments. If you are facing putting your parents in a nursing home, try to understand why they may be apprehensive about it. A person’s home holds a lot of memories. Your parents raised you in that house. They are not going to be ready to give it up without a fight. If you can keep your parents in their home, do so. Find a way to get some monitoring devices set up in your home so your parents can have someone to contact if something happens like a fall.
It can be hard to know how to handle an aging parent. This is especially true if the parent has a chronic illness. You are used to your parent kissing your boo-boos and making them better not the other way around. You have to be patient with your parent. Your mom or dad may be feeling helpless at this moment. You have to assure your parents that they are not helpless. Make sure they understand that they still have their freedom. One way to help your parents maintain a sense of independence is to order a medical monitoring device that your parents can wear on their wrists or neck. This way if they fall and are not close to a phone, they can still contact someone for help.