Where to Begin

Helping the Conversation Go Smoothly

Open communication is important. Sitting down and having a thoughtful conversation about senior living with your family is valuable. It helps strengthen your relationship with your loved ones and allows you to get their input. Here are a few tips to help that discussion go well.

Can Brookdale Help Me Feel Better About My Decision?

A decision rooted in love

By choosing Brookdale, your loved one can have a life filled with comfort, engagement and dignity. That’s keeping the promise in a way that honors their needs and your life in a thoughtful way.

Support for you, too

Care decisions are important and meaningful. Lean on friends, family or caregiver support groups to share your thoughts and hear from others who have been in your shoes.

At Brookdale, our team is here for you, offering guidance and a listening ear when you need it.

Can Brookdale Help Me Feel Better About My Decision?

A decision rooted in love

By choosing Brookdale, your loved one can have a life filled with comfort, engagement and dignity. That’s keeping the promise in a way that honors their needs and your life in a thoughtful way.

Support for you, too

Care decisions are important and meaningful. Lean on friends, family or caregiver support groups to share your thoughts and hear from others who have been in your shoes.

At Brookdale, our team is here for you, offering guidance and a listening ear when you need it.

Listen carefully

Active listening can help this conversation be productive. Once you’ve finished sharing your thoughts, give the other person space to respond or ask questions. As they talk, avoid the temptation to interrupt. Even if they disagree or see things differently, listening shows respect, and that is crucial.

How Do I Bring Up Senior Living Without Upsetting My Parents?

Starting a conversation about senior living with your parents is an important step. You and your parents will come to the conversation with different goals and feelings—still, you want a comfortable, happy future for your family.

The goal is to make this a warm, open and inviting conversation—one that helps everyone feel included.

With a little planning and the right tone, this conversation can be uplifting and full of connection. Here’s some tips for easing into things compassionately:

Replace conclusion with curiosity

Instead of leading with a decision, try beginning with a question. This helps your parents feel included, rather than instructed.

You might ask:

“What would life look like if you had a little extra help?”
“Have you thought about where you’d like to live in the future?”
“Would you like more time to focus on your hobbies or spend time with others?”

These kinds of questions open a door, allowing everyone involved to feel heard.

How Do I Bring Up Senior Living Without Upsetting My Parents?

The goal is to make this a warm, open and inviting conversation—one that helps everyone feel included.

With a little planning and the right tone, this conversation can be uplifting and full of connection. Here’s some tips for easing into things compassionately:

Replace conclusion with curiosity

Instead of leading with a decision, try beginning with a question. This helps your parents feel included, rather than instructed.

You might ask:

“What would life look like if you had a little extra help?”
“Have you thought about where you’d like to live in the future?”
“Would you like more time to focus on your hobbies or spend time with others?”

These kinds of questions open a door, allowing everyone involved to feel heard.

Grandfather having a conversation with granddaughter

Make a plan

This conversation may unfold over time, and each discussion offers a chance to create a clear path forward

A few examples of action items include scheduling a follow-up conversation, visiting local communities in the area together or getting other trusted family members included in the conversation.

Make a plan

This conversation may unfold over time, and each discussion offers a chance to create a clear path forward

A few examples of action items include scheduling a follow-up conversation, visiting local communities in the area together or getting other trusted family members included in the conversation.

What If My Parents are Hesitant to Talk About Their Future?

Make the first step feel like an outing instead of a decision

If you visit a Brookdale community, make it feel like a casual experience. Go for coffee in the café or attend a music event or open house. Let them soak in the atmosphere without needing to talk about anything serious.

They may start to see what life could look like—on their terms.

You can even bring a friend or sibling along to make it more social. Having someone they trust can help lighten the mood and take pressure off the situation.

Keep their voices in the process

This is a series of small steps and many important conversations. The more they feel heard, the more they may be willing to explore new options.

Give them time to process, let them ask questions and then offer to help find answers—together.

By keeping things light and listening with intention, you can create a partnership. Partnerships help grow progress.

Celebrate little wins

Plan a lunch or coffee outing after a tour to reflect and share impressions together. Celebrate any openness they express—whether they say they’re thinking about it or simply curious. When they flip through a brochure or join a virtual event, acknowledge the moment and let them know how much it means.

Every step matters. This can be a shared journey instead of a solo decision.

What If My Parents are Hesitant to Talk About Their Future?

Make the first step feel like an outing instead of a decision

They may start to see what life could look like—on their terms.

You can even bring a friend or sibling along to make it more social. Having someone they trust can help lighten the mood and take pressure off the situation.

Keep their voices in the process

This is a series of small steps and many important conversations. The more they feel heard, the more they may be willing to explore new options.

Give them time to process, let them ask questions and then offer to help find answers—together.

By keeping things light and listening with intention, you can create a partnership. Partnerships help grow progress.

Celebrate little wins

Every step matters. This can be a shared journey instead of a solo decision.

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