How to Talk to Your Parents about Moving to a Retirement Community
Published on November 23, 2018
Retirement homes in Toronto are perfect for seniors who want to spend time with people their age in an environment that encourages activity and socializing, but don’t want the hassle of doing household tasks like cooking and cleaning. While there are many benefits to living in a retirement community, moving into a retirement home can be challenging for many seniors as they worry about the transition of leaving their home. If your parents or loved ones are thinking about moving into a retirement community, it’s a good idea to have an open and honest conversation about it. Remember that whether you think retirement living is the best option for your parents, the decision to move is ultimately up to them. Here are some ways to approach the subject with care.
Communicate
If you’ve realized your parents need a better place to live as they get older, the first step is to open up the conversation. Talk about the pros and cons, and get a feel for what their main concerns are. Don’t forget to be empathetic and seriously consider what their concerns may be, then you can provide answers and solutions to open them up to the possibility.
Ask Your Siblings for Help
If you have siblings, speak with them first about their thoughts on retirement living for your parents. Come to an agreement about how to approach the subject with your parents, and how you can encourage them together to consider it. Having a light conversation over dinner may be a good way to get the conversation going.
Involve Your Family Doctor
Without violating privacy concerns, see if you are able to meet with your parents’ doctor. You can schedule an appointment together to discuss the level of care your parents may need. If the doctor believes retirement living is a good option, their opinion may carry more influence with your parents.
Visit Some Retirement Communities
Even with a long list of benefits, it is difficult to explain how great a retirement community is without seeing with their own eyes. Thankfully, many retirement communities will allow families to visit and tour the property and learn about the programs and services offered. Seeing the retirement home with their own eyes may be all it takes to show them the amazing quality of life they could have.
Choose the Best Retirement Community for Them
While there are many options to choose from when searching for a retirement living situation for your parents, V!VA Retirement Communities is one of the best choices. Our Team Members strive to provide community living that goes above and beyond your expectations. We want our Community Members to feel comfortable and safe as they build new friendships and enjoy an active life.
As one of the few strong and successful privately-owned and independent developers in the senior living field, we provide exceptional services to our Community Members, including dining by Red Seal chefs, fitness and recreation programs and amenities, and much more. Our goal is to provide our Community Members with a relaxed, comfortable, and personal environment.
Our retirement living options include independent living, assisted living, and respite care for seniors. We have six operating locations, including Barrhaven, Mississauga, Pickering, Thornhill Woods, Meadowlands in Ancaster, Waterside in Carleton Place, and new developments in Oakville and Whitby in construction.
To learn more about us and to find out if our retirement community is right for you parents, visit our website, e-mail us at info@vivalife.ca or call us at 1-888-984-8482.
