Transitioning into an assisted living environment is challenging at any stage, and most caregivers worry about how their loved one is going to handle such a change. Before you approach the idea of assisted living with your family member, it's important to think about the ways in which you can make this transition as easy as possible. Here are a few things that you should consider.
Have A Heart To Heart
The very first thing you should do when you are preparing your loved one for a transition into assisted living is to sit down and have a sincere discussion. You should talk with your loved one about the move, explaining why and how it should happen.
Then, take time to openly listen to your loved one's fears, concerns, questions, and other comments about the move. This conversation is the gateway to the assisted living conversion, and it needs to be as sincere as possible. It gives you the chance to allow your loved one to express their feedback and feel like a part of this whole process.
Make It Feel Like Home
When you choose an assisted living facility for your loved one, the next step is to familiarize yourself with the size and layout of the unit that your loved one will have. This gives you a visual idea of the space you will have to work with for decorating and settling your loved one in.
Knowing the space gives you a starting point to create an environment that truly feels like home for your family member. After all, the hardest part of transitioning to assisted living is often the environment change and moving out of the place that's been home for many years.
Ensure Activity And Engagement
One of the keys to making an assisted living transition successful is to create an environment that encourages engagement and activity. Choose an assisted living facility that fosters events, social gatherings, and other activities for the residents. Make sure that the types of events hosted are ones that your loved one might enjoy.
Additionally, dispel any potential fears of abandonment by making a point to visit your loved one at the assisted living facility on a regular basis. Stay active in his or her life to ensure that you help combat loneliness and adjustment struggles.
These are a few things that you need to think about when it comes time for that assisted living transition. Reach out to a few assisted living facilities in your area today for more information.
Older adults sometimes see nursing care as an all-or-nothing scenario. They assume they are either at home living independently, or they are in a nursing home where everything is done for them. This is not really the case, however. There are plenty of in-between options for older adults who need some care, but who may not need full nursing assistance yet. Assisted living centers allow this flexibility. Your older loved one can simply have their meals provided for them, or they can have around-the-clock care — or somewhere in-between. We invite you to explore the content provided to learn more.