What to Do When Aging Parents Won’t Listen

April 5th, 2018 by John Wilson

Roles often become reversed as your parents age. Instead of relying on your parents for advice, you have to help your parents make the best decisions. This can be difficult at times when they don’t listen to your advice and you know they are making a serious mistake. Whether they’re in senior assisted living in Oklahoma City or living on their own, there are several things you can do if your aging parents aren’t listening to what you’re trying to say.

Involve Your Loved Ones

Sometimes your senior loved ones aren’t willing to make an important change for themselves because they don’t feel it’s worth the effort. However, if it’s something detrimental to their health or well-being, consider approaching it as making the change for you or for their grandchildren to give them the additional boost they need.

Consider Dropping the Issue

Sometimes the issue you are trying to talk to your parents about isn’t that important. Perhaps it has little bearing on their current life in an assisted living center. Instead of continuing to talk to them and feeling like you just aren’t getting through, drop anything that isn’t essential.

Treat Them Like Adults

It can be easy to start acting like a parent who is talking to a child, especially when your parents aren’t listening. Unfortunately, this can often have the opposite effect. The last thing you want is to cause strife in your relationship when they are in their later years in life. Instead, make sure you have conversations that put you on the same level.

Accept Their Decision

Just because you think something is better for your aging parent doesn’t mean this is the case. Even while in senior assisted living, your parents are still in control of making these decisions in their lives. If you are unable to convince them otherwise, it is often best to simply accept their decision is beyond your control and instead support them in any way you can.

Find Another Outlet

Rather than venting to your parent or continuing to push an issue they aren’t interested in talking about, you may find it is best to find another outlet for your frustrations. Talking to a friend or family member about your frustrations and why you feel the way you do can give you clarity and will help you protect your relationship with your aging parents.

Try to Understand Their Motivation

Your parents have lived a long life and there may be good reasons for standing strong on their decisions. Talk to your parents about what they are thinking and why they are making the decision they are. This can help you make your arguments or realize the wisdom in their decision.

If you’re looking for help communicating with a parent who is in assisted living in Oklahoma City, contact us. We can help you find the best ways to talk to them about serious issues.