Growing older and available senior living options can be uncomfortable subjects to talk about, especially when your elderly parents are resistant to the idea of needing more help with their daily tasks as they age. But having these conversations while your parents are still healthy and able to talk about it can help ease them into a mindset where they feel comfortable thinking about their living options.

Calvary Homes is a senior living community that wants to welcome your family members into our care with grace and respect whenever they are ready. We understand how moving can be overwhelming for some older people, and we want to ensure that this transition is seamless for you and your loved ones. By talking about their options now, you can help your elderly parents prepare for their life in a senior living community like ours, where they will get the care and attention they deserve.

Do You Have the Resources Necessary to Talk About Senior Living Options?

Preparing information about the benefits of senior living options will help you come into this sometimes-difficult conversation from a more level-headed place. The tone of the discussion itself might help sway your parents, grandparents, or other loved ones into the right choice for them. Some conversation points we recommend include:

• Different Senior Living Options. These options may include assisted living, personal care, memory care, or even a continuous care community.
• The Importance of Planning Ahead. When your parents make decisions while they can, they ensure that you will be able to honor their wishes as they age, or if anything happens to them that leaves them incapacitated.
• What Their Lives Look Like Currently. What do they like to do every day? What are their fears about living in a senior community? How can a senior living community help them continue living the way they like to every day?
• Doctor’s Appointment Accessibility. Ask your parents about driving and remind them gently that our reflexes naturally get slower as we get older. Driving while elderly can be dangerous for some people. When they live in a community that prioritizes healthcare, they will be able to access medical services without interruption and without putting themselves or others in danger.
• Essential Documents and Where to Find Them. Make sure you know where they keep their important documents, including things like their social security card and will, in case you need to take care of an emergency.

Make it clear that you are bringing up these topics because you care about the person and want them to make informed decisions about their futures. Emphasize that you don’t want to see them suffer because they haven’t had the time to consider what they will need as they get older, and always leave the final choice up to them. You may find it helpful to visit Lancaster County’s Office of Aging website to help you find resources to have these conversations.

Have Your Elderly Parents Considered Their Health Needs?

If your elderly loved ones are currently healthy enough to care for themselves, you must talk to them about what might happen in the future. As your parents get older, they will likely need more help with their health than they do right now. Frame this conversation in a way that highlights what might happen, don’t insinuate that it absolutely will happen.

Some people can live through their senior years without much assistance, but health issues can be pretty common. If there is a family history of disease or a person has had problems in the past, speak with them candidly about what would happen if one of those issues popped up again. Are they able to care for it themselves, or will they require more attentive care from someone else to keep up with daily living tasks?

What If My Elderly Parent Has Already Exhibited Signs That They Need Help?

Sometimes, health issues come up unexpectedly, and there’s a more urgent need to get help for our elderly relatives. Suppose you’ve noticed that they have had a sudden change in their wellbeing, like they have had an increase in falls or are exhibiting increased confusion. In that case, you may want to talk about transitioning to a senior living facility sooner rather than later.

Please encourage them to consider how at ease they will feel when they live somewhere that can respond to their health and wellbeing needs as soon as they come up. Remind them that most senior living communities help them with their daily activities, not strip them of independence.

Our residents at Calvary Homes enjoy a sense of community, increased purpose, and many planned activities, so they can always indulge in their joys. At the same time, they continue to live as independently as possible. We offer three different types of living in our community to receive special care for their individual needs.

• Independent Living
• Personal Care
• Nursing Care

Is Calvary Homes the Right Choice for Their Senior Living Needs?

With so many senior living options in and around Lancaster, PA, it can feel overwhelming to comb through and choose the right place to spend your retirement. Your loved ones deserve a comfortable, safe place to live where they feel free to be themselves while getting the care services they need.

When you discuss Calvary Homes with your elderly parents, keep in mind that we are committed to our residents’ sense of purpose and wellbeing, both physically and spiritually. Our scheduled activities, exercise class options, and knitting or crafting groups help nurture our residents’ individuality and hobbies. If Calvary Homes is a senior living option you’d like to learn more about, please get in touch with us today!