Deciding to move to a senior living community – and selecting the perfect one – can be a daunting process, but telling your children about your upcoming move presents its own challenges. If you are moving from the home they lived in as a child, then they may experience sadness or grief from the loss of familiarity. Even though they have moved away and established homes of their own, the thought of returning “home” for visits is comforting. You can help them make the transition. Follow these tips to ensure your talk is positive, smooth, and constructive.
Plan your talk.
If you wait for the perfect time to tell your children you’re moving, it may never come. Plan a dinner if you can conduct the conversation in person, or schedule a family Facetime or Skype to share the news.
Share your reasons for moving.
Begin the conversation by telling your children why you decided to move to a senior living community in the first place. Your children are more likely to be receptive of your move if they understand how it will improve your quality of life. If you are moving to a continuing care retirement community, point out the benefits of having all levels of care in one location.
Tell them about where you’ll be living.
Once you present the reasons for your move, tell your children how your future home will address each concern. Tell them about your new lifestyle, what you’re looking forward to the most, and the amenities you’ll be able to enjoy together in your new home.
Be open.
Your children may wonder about the cost and whether it will become a financial burden to you later. Be open and honest. Share the community’s monthly fee and what is covered by it. Provide a side-by-side comparison of the community’s fee and the expense of staying in your own home. Share the historic fee increases. (The community should be able to provide this information.) Avoid being vague, sugarcoating your reasons for moving, or telling your children what you think they want to hear.
Listen.
Once you’ve delivered your news, give your children time to process, then listen to their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. It may take time for them to come to terms with the changes you are making.
Reassure.
Moving to a new location doesn’t change your relationship. Reassure them family visits will still happen and holiday get-togethers can still occur at your new home.
The move to a senior living community can be daunting, but Parkway Village makes taking the next step as easy and seamless as possible. If you’re looking for your future community, contact us to learn more or request a tour.