If you are caring for aging parents, you will likely have to decide to move them into assisted living at some point. It’s not an easy conversation with your siblings, but everyone must understand their options and the pros and cons of each outcome. This article will discuss how to talk to your siblings about moving your parents into assisted living in Fairplay, MD.
Don’t Tell Them – Ask Them To Join In The Conversation
When it comes to talking about the future, you should be prepared for a lot of questions. If you’re the one who is spearheading the conversation, don’t feel like you have all of the answers. It’s OK if you don’t know what assisted living has to offer or how much it will cost them. That’s why we recommend asking your siblings if they would like to join in on these conversations with their parents too!
Don’t assume that just because they live far away from home, they won’t care about what happens next; everyone wants peace of mind for their loved ones.
Ask Them To Share Their Feelings About Your Parents’ Situation
It’s important to remember that this is not just about you and your parents but also about your siblings. Often, family members don’t know how to talk about their feelings with each other because they don’t want to add stress on top of what everyone else is already dealing with.
Ask them if they need anything from you or how they’re feeling about the situation. Listen carefully as they share their thoughts and concerns so that you can respond appropriately when it comes time for decision-making later in the process.
Listen And Don’t Judge Or Be Defensive
Listening and not judging is a great first step. If you’re worried about what your sibling might say, remember that this is also an essential conversation for them. They may not have been able to find the words to express how they feel until now. In fact, some people don’t even realize that their parents need help until it’s too late because they are so used to taking care of others themselves that they don’t ask for help themselves!
If your brother or sister has concerns about how moving will affect them personally (for example: “I won’t be able to see my mom anymore”), then take time out during this conversation by asking them questions like “What do you mean?” or “What would make it easier for you?” You can also remind them about all of the things that have changed since their parent(s) first started showing signs of aging: technology has made communication easier than ever before; there are apps like Skype where people can talk face-to-face online; virtual tours allow families who live far away from each other access into each other’s homes via video chat-and there are many more options available today than there were years ago!
Don’t Be Afraid To Make Mistakes And Apologize
The last thing you want to do is make an insensitive remark that will hurt your sibling’s feelings. If there are things that are best left unsaid, then it’s better for everyone involved if you keep quiet and don’t say them.
However, if the person has asked for your opinion or advice and you feel that what you say could help them make an informed decision about their parent’s future, go ahead and speak up!
Conclusion
Talking about moving your parents into assisted living is not easy, but everyone involved must understand their options and the pros and cons of each outcome.
