It is never easy deciding to send a loved one to an assisted living community. But, when you find the right location there are many benefits and the move can be exciting!
Within an assisted living community, there are so many opportunities for individuals to meet new people, participate in daily activities, and continue to live on their own with an extra helping hand, of course. The process can move quickly, so consider these tips on how to support a loved one during this transition.
Prepare to Sell Their Home
If your family member is planning on selling their home or giving it to someone else in the family, they could leverage a home warranty. With a home warranty, they’ll be able to replace broken or faulty appliances, wiring, HVAC, and more within their home. This will make the home more appealing to buyers or to family members interested in living in it.
Preparing to sell a home can be a stressful process for a senior to do all on their own, especially if the individual struggles with memory loss or has dementia. Offer to help out and provide home selling tips, and guide their decisions if needed. Assistance from a family member can help reduce the stress your loved one could be feeling.
Be There for Moral Support
Moving into an assisted living community can be very hard on your loved one. It’s important that you are present and there for moral support. Some people don’t understand the difference between an assisted living community and a nursing home. Educate and ease their mind by explaining the differences. Giving them an idea about how much freedom and mobility they still have will help with this major life change.
Set up a visiting and phone call schedule. Work with your loved one to plan out what days and times work the best for them. This will give them something to look forward to. Also, make sure to answer any questions they have before leaving that first day. Do your best to talk with staff members to ensure that your parent’s needs are being met. This will be reassuring to your loved ones and will help them understand that there are people there for them.
Make Their New Space A Home
It’s important to make sure that their new space feels like home. Sometimes their living space may feel generic. Add some color to the room, family photos, memorabilia, and any meaningful furniture or items to make it homier. If the space allows, bring in some plants and flowers to brighten up the room.
Depending on the size of their living area, consider setting up a space for visitors. Add some chairs and a coffee table with some games or puzzles. This will allow them to keep up their social life and feel a sense of belonging.
Encourage Them To Get Involved
To help ease the transition, they should get involved as much as possible on and off the facility. Do some digging to find out different activities, ways they can stay active, and events that the assisted living community holds. Encourage your loved one to enjoy some time with other residents and to get involved. This will be a great way for them to keep up their social life.
Again, making the transition to an assisted living community can be a big change for some, but there are many ways family members can help ease the transition. With the love and support you give your loved ones, they will never feel alone. Being surrounded by friendly staff members, they will certainly feel a sense of belonging.It is never easy deciding to send a loved one to an assisted living community. But, when you find the right location there are many benefits and the move can be exciting!
Within an assisted living community, there are so many opportunities for individuals to meet new people, participate in daily activities, and continue to live on their own with an extra helping hand, of course. The process can move quickly, so consider these tips on how to support a loved one during this transition.
Prepare to Sell Their Home
If your family member is planning on selling their home or giving it to someone else in the family, they could leverage a home warranty. With a home warranty, they’ll be able to replace broken or faulty appliances, wiring, HVAC, and more within their home. This will make the home more appealing to buyers or to family members interested in living in it.
Preparing to sell a home can be a stressful process for a senior to do all on their own, especially if the individual struggles with memory loss or has dementia. Offer to help out and provide home selling tips, and guide their decisions if needed. Assistance from a family member can help reduce the stress your loved one could be feeling.
Be There for Moral Support
Moving into an assisted living community can be very hard on your loved one. It’s important that you are present and there for moral support. Some people don’t understand the difference between an assisted living community and a nursing home. Educate and ease their mind by explaining the differences. Giving them an idea about how much freedom and mobility they still have will help with this major life change.
Set up a visiting and phone call schedule. Work with your loved one to plan out what days and times work the best for them. This will give them something to look forward to. Also, make sure to answer any questions they have before leaving that first day. Do your best to talk with staff members to ensure that your parent’s needs are being met. This will be reassuring to your loved ones and will help them understand that there are people there for them.
Make Their New Space A Home
It’s important to make sure that their new space feels like home. Sometimes their living space may feel generic. Add some color to the room, family photos, memorabilia, and any meaningful furniture or items to make it homier. If the space allows, bring in some plants and flowers to brighten up the room.
Depending on the size of their living area, consider setting up a space for visitors. Add some chairs and a coffee table with some games or puzzles. This will allow them to keep up their social life and feel a sense of belonging.
Encourage Them To Get Involved
To help ease the transition, they should get involved as much as possible on and off the facility. Do some digging to find out different activities, ways they can stay active, and events that the assisted living community holds. Encourage your loved one to enjoy some time with other residents and to get involved. This will be a great way for them to keep up their social life.
Again, making the transition to an assisted living community can be a big change for some, but there are many ways family members can help ease the transition. With the love and support you give your loved ones, they will never feel alone. Being surrounded by friendly staff members, they will certainly feel a sense of belonging.