Paul Hazzard
Corporate Sales Consultant
At Chartwell since 2014
Q:“My mother passed away recently, so my father now lives on his own. Although he isn’t the best cook, and occasionally needs me to help with a home maintenance project, he seems to be managing. I’ve thought about introducing the idea of retirement living to him, but how do I know if it’s the right time?”
Truthfully, when your parent has reached an age when they could use some extra support around the house or with meals, there’s nowrongtime for retirement living. There’s certainly no harm in starting the conversation with your loved one, letting them know that there are other living options in their area or close by their family that can cater to their specific needs, big or small. You may find it worthwhile to begin exploring local retirement residences with your parent, as it’ll not only help to dispel any misconceptions that they may have about retirement living, but also help them to discover the benefits for themselves.
Q:“Are there certain signs that may more clearly indicate if it’s time for my father to consider retirement living?”
在讨论是否提出退休后与父母同住的话题时，你可以寻找一些迹象。我经常遇到的一个是减肥;对于需要更多支持的老年人来说，不吃饭或准备缺乏适当营养价值的基本餐并不罕见。事实上，对于一些人来说，购买食品杂货和准备饭菜的想法可能会让他们不知所措，特别是如果他们还在应对健康挑战的话。
Another common indicator is loneliness and depression. Even if we visit frequently, or arrange for someone to prepare meals, clean and maintain the house for our loved one, they may still be experiencing feelings of loneliness, especially if they’ve recently lost a spouse or a close friend. It’s normal for seniors to want regular companionship with other individuals their age, which a retirement community can readily provide.
Q:“Why would my father consider retirement living if he hasn’t experienced a health scare/isn’t in poor health?”
I think most of us would agree that it’s always best to be proactive and stay in control of our lives. Nobody wants to make a move when they aren’t feeling well, or have to rely on a family member to make a decision for them. With this in mind, it’s beneficial for your parent to make the move before a decline in their health, as the supportive services they’ll receive at a retirement residence—from delicious and nutritious meals to exercise classes to social opportunities—may actually improve their health and help stave off any stress or potential injury associated with trying to maintain their home. Should your parent’s health hit a snag, the great thing is a retirement residences also has in-house care and wellness services that can help get them back on their feet and enjoying their retirement years.
Still wondering if your loved one is ready for retirement living? Take Chartwell’s“Is It Time” Surveyfor more insight.
About Paul Hazzard
保罗已经在老年生活服务行业工作了四年多。作为一名企业销售顾问，他的使命是帮助老年人和他们的家人发现退休生活方式的好处，并展示满足他们独特需求的养老院。