Healthy Conversations

How to Talk About Assisted Living

HC
By
Esther Heerema, MSW
Esther Heerema
Esther Heerema, MSW
Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia.
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Updated on December 14, 2020
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 by
James Lacy
James Lacy
Fact checked by James Lacy

James Lacy, MLS, is a fact-checker and researcher. James received a Master of Library Science degree from Dominican University.

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Our Conversation Coach Can Help

As people age and begin to have more difficulty living at home alone, one topic is often dreaded and avoided more than the others—nursing homes and assisted livings. Or, if they are discussed, it may be in passing, like: “Promise me you won’t ever put me in one of those!” 

While it might not be a very comfortable idea to talk about, it’s important to consider what steps to take when living at home becomes a challenge. 

Remember that your goal in having this conversation is not to have a “one and done” talk and then make a sudden move to a facility. Instead, use our Healthy Conversations Coach to simulate a respectful and effective way to address the concern while keeping the lines of communication open. 

Note: The conversations below address assisted living for a mother, but can be applied to other loved ones in your life as needed.

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