Moving to a senior independent living community can be an immensely rewarding experience for many older adults. However, the decision to switch residences and change up established routines is often one that requires careful consideration. As the adult child of a senior parent who is weighing their future housing options and care needs, you have the ability to help your parent in their search for a long-term solution.
In this article, we’ll share a few ideas on how you can prepare for a conversation with your parent about the benefits of moving to an independent senior living community. We will also share some questions you can ask your parent about their current lifestyle to determine if now is the right time to make the move.
Preparing for the Conversation
You want to approach a conversation about independent living in a way that helps guide your parent through the decision-making process versus making a decision for them. The best way to do this is by coming prepared with questions that get them to think critically about the future.
Questions to Guide Your Conversation About Independent Living
Here are some questions to encourage discussion with your parent about their current lifestyle and habits to help determine if senior independent living is a potential fit for them.
How Will You Keep Up With Home Maintenance If You Have a Fall Or Accident?
The older your home gets the more maintenance it takes to keep everything in working order, and the costs, time and physical toil can add up. In addition, seasonal yard work and shoveling snow can become more difficult as we age. Ask your parent how they are keeping up with home maintenance and whether it is something that is causing them stress or discomfort. If it’s not an issue now, are they prepared for what they will do when and if it does?
Why it matters: If your parent is feeling overwhelmed about home maintenance, moving to an independent living residence can help reduce or completely eliminate the need for it.
Do You Wish You Had Fewer Bills To Keep Track Of?
Juggling bills from several different service providers can be difficult for anyone. And it may become even harder for older adults to keep everything organized and in one place. Ask your parent how they are keeping track of bills, or if they have recently missed payments. Would it be easier if they had fewer bills to manage?
Why it matters: Managing bills can quickly become overwhelming for older adults. Many senior living communities charge a predictable monthly fee for access to services and amenities. This monthly fee is often inclusive of many services, such as maintenance, utilities, housekeeping and more.
Do You Ever Feel Lonely At Home?
Everyone feels a little lonely sometimes. But older adults are more susceptible to feelings of social isolation, especially around the holiday months. Loneliness that goes unchecked can even lead to health issues. How is your parent staying busy and connected socially?
Why it matters: Social isolation and loneliness pose serious health risks for older adults. Independent living provides more opportunities for your parent to meet new people.
What Will Happen If You Get Sick?
Perhaps the biggest thing on our minds as we get older is what will happen if we get sick. Who will take care of us? And even if a loved one is willing to care for us, is that what we really want?
Why it matters: We want to believe our health will never change, but 70% of older adults will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime, and there’s no better time to plan for that than the present. Discuss the benefits of choosing a Life Care community with your parent. At a Life Care community, they will have access to higher levels of care if their needs change, and their monthly fee will remain predictable.
Explore Independent Living Options at Newcastle Place
There are many reasons why older adults make the move to independent living at a senior living community. At Newcastle Place, a Life Care community in Mequon, Wisconsin, our goal is to help potential residents and their families make an informed decision about long-term care so they can live life to the fullest. We believe our services, amenities and healthy lifestyle options are among the best in the state.
Contact us or complete the form below to learn more about our community, or to schedule a tour.
