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Moving to an Assisted Living residence is a major change for an older adult.
Change is a constant; yet, accepting and adapting to change isn’t easy. This is more so in case of aging seniors moving from the comfort of their homes into an assisted living community.
Most aging seniors aren’t open to this change as they fear isolation and are unsure of what the new environment will bring. On the other hand, a few seniors take to it from day one and try to adapt to the new environment. They find it thrilling to live in a new community, get socially active, and pursue hobbies.
Either way, the first few days (even months) in the new community can be challenging for your senior parent. Hence, it’s important to be around your seniors and offer much-needed encouragement, positive reassurance, and support to help them adjust to the new lifestyle.
Here are some effective tips for easing the transition for your senior parent.
1. Stay In Touch
The fear of isolation is one of the top reasons why seniors are reluctant to move to an assisted living facility. Don’t let your elderly parent succumb to feelings of isolation and abandonment while in the assisted living facility. Regular visits can assure them of your love and support.
If you live in the same city, visit as frequently as possible. Introduce predictability in your visits. For instance, block your calendar for Saturday each week to spend the day with your senior loved one.
Be with your senior parent during and after the move-in period to smooth the transition. In fact, stay with them for a few days during the move-in phase to help them settle in.
If you have a hectic work schedule, use technology to your advantage. Zoom and Whatsapp are effective tools to keep the lines of communication flowing, regardless of where you are.
2. Lend an Empathetic Ear
Moving to an assisted living facility is often accompanied by mixed feelings of abandonment, inadequacy, fear of the unknown, and loss of dignity and independence. It’s natural for your senior to feel distraught and isolated during their first few months at assisted living.
Stay in constant touch with your parent during this initial phase. Patiently listen to all that they have to share, even if it’s full of negative talk. Avoid trivializing the situation by saying things like, ‘It’s just a phase,’ ‘It’s not as bad as you are making it look,’ or ‘You are being negative.’ Instead, hear them out and offer solutions that can help them adjust to their new environment.
Encourage them to participate in the activities and social events organized by the assisted living facility. Most reputable assisted living facilities like Chinook VIllage offer a range of activities for seniors and also invite volunteers to help with community work. At Chinook Village we have residents taking up roles, such as managing the library or answering phone calls.
Aim at keeping the lines of communication flowing. Even if you think your parent is well cared for, it’s critical to be around till they are fully on board which, in some cases, takes longer than expected. Listen! Allow your parent to express their emotions. Giving them time to acclimate to this new living style will go a long way in facilitating greater happiness for them in the future.
3. Don’t be Over-Protective
Maintaining senior independence is critical as it promotes a sense of purpose and achievement. This boosts their self-worth and emotional well-being.
That’s exactly the lifestyle that Chinook Village promotes, offering customized care services while ensuring your senior’s independence and privacy.
Though you may be concerned about your parent’s ability to adjust, avoid being overprotective of them. Offer necessary and reasonable attention and care but refrain from hand holding them. Doing so will only increase your senior’s dependence on you, preventing them from adapting to the new environment.
4. Add A Personal Touch To The New Living Space
One sure-shot way of helping your aging parent adjust to the new environment is by placing familiar items and keepsakes in their assisted living suite or apartment.
For instance, if your parent is accustomed to having a Bible, other books, music CDs, and a family photo at their bedside, do the same in their new living space.
Encourage your senior loved one to share their layout preferences and allow them to make decisions pertaining to their apartment decor.
Get their input on the furniture arrangement and the choice of pictures and keepsakes. Involve them in setting up the room but make sure it’s functional and safe. Cloning the home environment will help them feel at home in the new environment.
5. Connect With the Staff
Our staff take a lot of care to make their senior residents feel involved. They often go out of their way to attend to their specific health and entertainment needs.
However, since your parent is still adjusting to their new home, it’s wise to meet the staff and discuss your senior’s care needs. This will ensure that the little things that make your parent’s life comfortable are taken care of.
Whenever you visit, meet the staff to understand how your parent is adjusting. This will help you work with them towards making your senior’s life more comfortable in the facility.
Summing up
Your parent has always been there for you, in good and rough times alike. Now, as they move into assisted living, it’s your responsibility to ease the transition for them.
Without a doubt, the initial days at the assisted living community are going to be challenging. Use the tips shared in this post to help your elderly parent adjust to their new home and live a happy and healthy life.
About Chinook Village Medicine Hat
Chinook Village is a 23-acre Medicine Hat not-for-profit Retirement Home providing seniors housing with a variety of seniors accommodations, services and healthcare options.
Lifestyles include independent living, supportive living, assisted living, life lease seniors apartments, trial stays, respite care and aging in place. At Chinook Village, residents enjoy a wide range of activities, recreation and events to combat isolation and promote and enhance socialization.
Contact Melanie our Lifestyle Consultant for a free tour or more information.
This article is edited from when it first appeared in dailycaring.com and is written by Annie Clark
