If you live in an assisted living community, you will be interacting with staff every day, so it’s important that you learn how to communicate your needs effectively. Good communication will let you get the care you need and make your experience at the assisted living community a positive one.

Be Respectful When Speaking

When communicating your needs to your assisted living staff, you should always be respectful. Being respectful and using polite “I” statements will help assisted living staff better understand your needs. Being respectful will also allow you to:

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Many older adults don’t ask questions because they:

  • Are embarrassed about the question, as they feel that perhaps they should already know the answer
  • Feel as if they are being disrespectful
  • Feel as if they don’t need help

Assisted living staff members are there to help you should you need anything and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Asking questions will not only help them help you, but will help make sure you have a positive living experience.

Get to Know the Staff

The easiest way to get comfortable asking assisted living staff for help is to get to know them and build a relationship with them. As a result, you and staff members can work together to customize your experience at your assisted living community. You will also be able to distinguish who will be able to take care of a specific need, from housekeeping to activities. If you have any trouble, just ask!

Remember to Listen Attentively

Actively listening is another way to communicate your needs to assisted living staff. When you ask a staff member a question, listen carefully to what they have to say. It will help you understand their reply. It will also let you ask another question if you don’t understand something. Carefully listening helps communication and prevents misunderstandings.

Questions?

Call Assisted Living at Charless Village today at (314) 606-9891.

With 133 years of experience, Bethesda has become a leader in senior care, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. To see if assisted living is right for your family, tour either of our communities: Bethesda Hawthorne Place or Assisted Living at Charless Village. After meeting with our residents and highly trained staff, you will instantly feel at home. 
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