AT HOME WITH SANFORD Q.How do I talk to my parents about senior living housing? I recently saw them at Thanksgiving and my siblings and I feel it may be time to begin some important conversations about a transition into a senior living setting with some assisted living services. A. Be proactive in talking to your parents about the idea of senior living with assisted living services. Often, adult children will delay these conversations for too long, until the need for senior living becomes pressing. Don't let that happen to you. While a conversation about transitioning to a new community will never be easy, with these tips, you can approach the topic with confidence. Sarah Winkle Marketing Specialist 1. Keep the discussion going by planting seeds in various conversations. 2. Recruit your siblings to help. Come to an agreement about how and when to encourage Mom and Dad to take the immense step. Individual conversations followed by a large family meeting over an enjoyable dinner may work best. 3. Take your parents around town to tour local senior living communities. Arrange tours and visits to let your parents evaluate each community and the various amenities that are available. 4. Get the family doctor involved. If the doctor agrees that senior living could be useful, see if he or she will help broach the topic with your parents. 5. Don't act as if the decision has been made. Discuss in-home nursing, emergency alarms, etc... Discuss the pros and cons of each possibility 6. Be cautious in your phrasing. Be calm and pleasant in your tone, avoid condescension. 7. Find out what they will miss about home, and offer reassurance. Reassure them that you will continue to be a part of their lives, even when there are professionals around to help. 8. Review finances. Get a complete understanding of costs and services that are available at the communities that are under consideration. Review everything with them including assisted living services, utilities, meals, entertainment, and housekeeping. Learn what is included in the base rent pricing and what is additional. Interested in learning more? To receive brochures on WoodsEdge Senior Living Campus or to schedule a visit contact: (218) 333-6211. Also, to acquire more information about our Lakeside Campus which includes Baker Park - HUD Housing call: (218) 751-7249 Sanford Health WoodsEdge Senior Living Campus 1000 Anne Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 333-6211 www.sanfordhealth.org SANFRD HEALTH It's about care. It's about family We're here for you WoodsEdge AT HOME WITH SANFORD Q.How do I talk to my parents about senior living housing? I recently saw them at Thanksgiving and my siblings and I feel it may be time to begin some important conversations about a transition into a senior living setting with some assisted living services. A. Be proactive in talking to your parents about the idea of senior living with assisted living services. Often, adult children will delay these conversations for too long, until the need for senior living becomes pressing. Don't let that happen to you. While a conversation about transitioning to a new community will never be easy, with these tips, you can approach the topic with confidence. Sarah Winkle Marketing Specialist 1. Keep the discussion going by planting seeds in various conversations. 2. Recruit your siblings to help. Come to an agreement about how and when to encourage Mom and Dad to take the immense step. Individual conversations followed by a large family meeting over an enjoyable dinner may work best. 3. Take your parents around town to tour local senior living communities. Arrange tours and visits to let your parents evaluate each community and the various amenities that are available. 4. Get the family doctor involved. If the doctor agrees that senior living could be useful, see if he or she will help broach the topic with your parents. 5. Don't act as if the decision has been made. Discuss in-home nursing, emergency alarms, etc... Discuss the pros and cons of each possibility 6. Be cautious in your phrasing. Be calm and pleasant in your tone, avoid condescension. 7. Find out what they will miss about home, and offer reassurance. Reassure them that you will continue to be a part of their lives, even when there are professionals around to help. 8. Review finances. Get a complete understanding of costs and services that are available at the communities that are under consideration. Review everything with them including assisted living services, utilities, meals, entertainment, and housekeeping. Learn what is included in the base rent pricing and what is additional. Interested in learning more? To receive brochures on WoodsEdge Senior Living Campus or to schedule a visit contact: (218) 333-6211. Also, to acquire more information about our Lakeside Campus which includes Baker Park - HUD Housing call: (218) 751-7249 Sanford Health WoodsEdge Senior Living Campus 1000 Anne Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 333-6211 www.sanfordhealth.org SANFRD HEALTH It's about care. It's about family We're here for you WoodsEdge