Parents’ Neighborhood Changing as Old Friends Move Away
Dear Carol: Like most older adults, my parents want to live out their lives in their home. They’re very healthy for people in their 70s, so my siblings and I understand why this is so. The problem is that over time, their decades-old neighborhood friendships have ended through death or been weakened by distance. There’s nothing wrong with the neighborhood or the new people, but my older parents have nothing in common with their new neighbors. We want our parents to move to assisted living where they will have help if needed, but they refuse, saying that they aren’t ready for an “institution.” How should we respond to that? – HD
Dear HD: Situations like this can be frustrating, indeed. You can’t fault your parents for wanting to remain where they are comfortable, and life is familiar. Even though the neighborhood has changed, chances are that changes were gradual enough that they’ve adapted. That said, you’re…
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