The holidays are a special time of year, bringing families who may not see each other often all under one roof. If you’re visiting long-distance aging parents or loved ones this season, you may feel a mix of emotions: gratitude for being together and a growing awareness that things have changed since your last visit.
Those feelings are normal. While they can be uncomfortable, they can also open the door to important conversations about your loved one’s needs, wishes, and next steps for the future.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to guide the process:
#1. Keep Calm and Stay Present
First and foremost, don’t approach the holidays with a mission to problem-solve. Try to stay in the moment and remember the holidays are about love, laughter, and togetherness.
Approach the visit with a mindset of care and curiosity, not judgment. Ensuring your parent feels safe and comfortable will create space for honest conversations later.
During your visit, quietly take note of clues and patterns that could suggest your parent or loved one needs extra support.
Mobility & Balance
Meals & Nutrition
Medication
Mood & Engagement
Home Safety
Hygiene and Grooming
If you do notice something, resist the urge to jump in and fix everything right away. Gently share your concerns and offer ideas to tackle them together, like:
What if your parent resists your help? Don’t push them. Give them time to warm up to change. You can always revisit the topic later after you’ve had more time together.
It also helps to get siblings or other close family members on the same page. When everyone approaches the conversation with care, it can feel less overwhelming for your parent and more like a shared plan.
Talking about “what’s next” can feel like a huge emotional undertaking for both of you. The key is to keep it focused on your parents’ needs and wishes. Ask them:
Remember, these aren’t one-time questions. Think of them as the beginning of an ongoing conversation.
Even with added supports, staying at home isn’t always the safest—or most comfortable—long-term option. However, relocating to a retirement community doesn’t mean losing independence.
In fact, a continuing-care retirement community can actually improve your loved one’s independence by removing the daily challenges keeping them from enjoying life to their fullest potential.
With built-in social connections, fewer household responsibilities, and compassionate caregivers nearby as needs change, retirement community living offers a balance of freedom and support. For many families, that balance brings real peace of mind now and in the future.
If you’re starting to wonder whether a retirement community could be the right next step for your loved one, Willow Brook is here to help.
We’re here to answer your questions, talk through your family’s needs, and show you what life can look like in a compassionate, faith-led Columbus and Delaware, Ohio retirement community. There’s no pressure, just a caring conversation focused on what’s best for your loved one.
Reach out today to schedule a private tour or connect with our team to get started.
