According to AARP, nearly 77% of adults aged 50+ want to stay in their home long-term-even when it may no longer be the safest or most practical choice. That's when the real conversations begin.
Before making plans, it's worth asking the right questions to ask parents, ones that spark honest dialogue instead of conflict.
Eustis, located in central Florida near Orlando, offers small-town calm with access to big-city healthcare and entertainment, making it an ideal spot for senior living. This guide covers the key questions that support aging parent conversations, reduce stress in family decision-making, and offer smart retirement planning tips.
This is a great starting point because it opens up the conversation without pressure. It helps you understand what your parent values most in their daily life, whether that's quiet mornings, social lunches, or time for creative hobbies.
In a city like Eustis, where sunny days are the norm and there's access to outdoor spaces like Ferran Park and Lake Eustis, staying active and social is easy (if that's what they want). For some, the idea of reading on a shaded porch with a coffee in hand might sound perfect. Others may want more structure and variety.
At Lake Ridge Village, for example, residents have access to a full events calendar that includes things like chair yoga, live music, art classes, and group outings.
This question is useful for gently exploring how they feel about daily chores and responsibilities that may be harder now than before. Tasks like mowing the lawn or dealing with a leaky faucet might seem small, but they can chip away at someone's energy over time.
In Eustis, older homes often come with ongoing upkeep, and Florida's humidity doesn't exactly help. That's one reason communities like Lake Ridge Village can be appealing; maintenance and housekeeping are taken care of. That way, your parent can spend time doing things they enjoy instead of managing repairs or deep cleaning.
Loneliness might not be something they talk about openly, but this question can uncover whether they feel isolated. It's also a way to see how much value they place on connection.
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, nearly one quarter of adults aged 65 and older are considered socially isolated. That might seem like just a stat, but for your parent, it could be personal.
If they mention missing old friends or struggling to meet people, a community setting could be a real boost. The Lake Ridge Village community, for example, offers card games, happy hours, and off-site excursions to spots like downtown Mount Dora. These events tend to be casual, fun, and easy to join.
Some older adults won't say they feel unsafe, but they may admit to worrying about falling, forgetting to take their medication, or not knowing who to call if something goes wrong. Those are red flags.
Independent Living with Supportive Services, like what's available at Lake Ridge Village, offers help with medication reminders, grooming, and mobility, but only when needed. Residents still live in their own space and follow their own routines. It's that in-between option that might actually give them more freedom, not less.
If your parent lives alone, you might already know that eating well isn't always a given. Cooking for one can feel like a chore, and snacking can become the default.
In Eustis, access to fresh produce is pretty solid, but if shopping, prepping, and cooking are starting to feel like a hassle, it's worth asking if they'd rather have someone else handle it.
At Lake Ridge Village, meals are made from scratch every day and served in a dining room that feels like a restaurant and not a cafeteria. Meals rotate regularly and feature a mix of comfort food and lighter options.
Some benefits of community dining include:
This is a tricky one. Moving out of a home they've lived in for years can feel like letting go of part of their identity. So, approach this question gently and give them space to think it through.
That said, a "fresh start" doesn't mean forgetting the past; it's more about gaining something new. In a community like Lake Ridge Village, that could mean discovering an interest in watercolor painting, meeting a neighbor who shares your parents' love for crosswords, or joining a book club that keeps their mind sharp.
If your parent says they're bored or tired of the same old routine, they might be more open to change than you thought.
Wellness means different things to different people. Some older adults want fitness classes and walking clubs. Others care more about emotional balance or spiritual connection.
At Lake Ridge Village, the health and wellness program covers all of that: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and more. So your parent could go to a strength training class one day and join a meditation session the next. That flexibility tends to suit people who want options, not obligations.
This question ties back into aging parent conversations in a meaningful way. You're asking them to define their own goals, not follow someone else's plan. That can be empowering.
Having open conversations with your parent helps surface their hopes, worries, and daily needs. By using the questions to ask parents outlined here, you're not only making a thoughtful decision; you're making the right one.
Located in Eustis, Florida, Lake Ridge Village offers a unique blend of independence and support in a welcoming senior living environment. What sets us apart? Our made-from-scratch meals served restaurant-style, our daily event calendar packed with engaging activities, and the flexibility of Independent Living with Supportive Services.
Schedule a tour today to see how our Lake Ridge Village community helps seniors live life on their own terms.