Questions to Ask Your Parents When Planning Senior Care

Seven in ten seniors also require the daily care services provided by senior living communities (Consumer Affairs).

If your parents are struggling to live independently, talking to aging parents about retirement living is an important first step toward getting them the help they need.

However, this can be challenging since 71% of Americans state that they do not want to enter senior living communities (JAHF). Luckily, Escanaba, MI, is a great location for older adults due to its gorgeous scenery and coastal views.

Following eldercare planning tips can be challenging, but this planning is easier when you know what to ask your parents about. Read on to learn some questions to ask your parents when discussing senior living!

Family Caregiving Conversations: When Would You Consider Assisted Living?

Though your parents may not be ready to move immediately, asking when they would be willing to do so is the first step toward opening a dialogue. Ask what conditions or life changes would make them willing to transition to senior care.

If they aren't sure, ask about situations like:

• Falls and other medical emergencies that require extensive treatment
• A lack of mobility due to injury or age
• Sudden health problems like diabetes or cardiac disease
• A diagnosis of dementia or other cognitive illness
• Social isolation and loneliness
• The death of a spouse (if applicable)
• An inability to drive or use public transportation
• Strained familial relationships due to caregiving

If they say that none of these situations would make them comfortable with transitioning to a senior community, ask what other plans they have in mind if they take place. Chances are, you can guide them toward senior living over time if they have no alternative ideas.

What Are Your Concerns About a Senior Community?

If your parents are reluctant to consider a retirement community, they likely have some misconceptions surrounding senior living. Some reasons for this resistance may include:

• Wanting to remain in their familiar home with their comfortable surroundings and possessions
• Associating communities with "old people" and worrying that transitioning will stop them from leading active lives
• Financial concerns about moving

That's why these concern-related questions to ask your parents are important. You can empathize and nip their fears in the bud.

If your parent answers with these common reasons, inform them of how enjoyable a senior living community is. Show them the comfortable apartments at LakeHouse Escanaba and discuss how they can bring their favorite art and possessions from home. Pets are also welcome in our community, so new residents won't need to face the major life transition alone!

It's also important to stress the activity level of the best Michigan senior living community. We constantly have on-site activities and events for residents to enjoy, including:

• TV and movie screenings
• Game and card nights
• Bingo brunches
• Walks around the courtyard
• Arts and crafts workshops
• Themed parties and dances
• Live musical performances

When discussing assisted living, stress to your parents that there are probably more opportunities for fun activities within community walls than there are at home!

If your parent has financial concerns about the cost of assisted living, look into financial aid together. Long-term care (LTC) loans are available from many banks and private lenders. LTC insurance is also available to pay a portion of the monthly rent in exchange for a premium.

There may also be other programs to make affording long-term care easier. Veteran's benefits and new resident perks may apply.

The bottom line is that every problem has a solution. Looking into these solutions together can provide peace of mind to your mom and dad.

How Do You Feel About Your Independence as You Age?

The number one reason that seniors resist assisted living is that they fear a loss of independence. They feel like they will be forced into a strict schedule with few choices about how to spend their time.

Luckily, this couldn't be further from the reality of Michigan senior living! Seniors at LakeHouse Escabana have the freedom to:

• Create their own routines
• Choose when to wake up and sleep
• Select community activities that interest them and attend alone or with friends
• Spend time in the community's common areas
• Entertain visitors, including you and other family members

Since everything your parents need will be within the walls of their community, they won't struggle to get around. This means that they're even more independent than they would be at home. They have the help they need to take care of themselves and can instead focus on enjoying daily life with friends and companions.

What Safety Risks Do You Worry About When Living Alone?

Despite their reluctance to move, many seniors are aware that they struggle when living at home.

Ask whether your parents are concerned about accessibility in their home. If they don't have wide doorways or a walk-in shower, navigating their floor plan can be difficult. Without wheelchair-accessible countertops, they may have trouble with meal prep.

If they concede that these challenges apply to their current lifestyle, inform your parents that senior living communities have accessible apartments and amenities. Tell them about our:

• Wide doorways
• Wide hallways
• Wheelchair ramps
• Open floor plans for easy navigation
• Grip bars and railings
• Grab bars to prevent falls
• Low countertops
• Accessible floor plans without stairs or narrow, hard-to-navigate spaces

This may make preparing for senior care easier.

Then, encourage them to come along with you for a community tour. This will give your parents the chance to see what life within our community is like and how we can help them stay safe while maintaining a vibrant lifestyle.

Beyond the Basic Questions to Ask Your Parents About Senior Living

Now that you know some questions to ask your parents before making the transition to an assisted living community, it's time to learn more.

LakeHouse Escanaba is committed to offering the most vibrant senior care in Michigan. Our community thrives in a beautiful environment with gorgeous amenities that residents look forward to spending time in.

We also have a landscaped courtyard and pet-friendly outdoor areas that make it easy to soak up some sunlight and vitamin D. Paved walking paths also let seniors stay active outdoors.

Schedule a tour of our well-appointed community to learn how we can help your parents thrive with personalized care plans and compassionate companionship!