Starting a new life, especially at assisted living, will probably take time. Even if an elderly person was enthusiastic about the move and recognized the value it can bring to their life, settling in and getting comfortable with their new surroundings would likely take some time.
If you want to help yourself or someone you love make this transition to elder care a positive one, below are a few tips to keep in mind. Just remember that even though there are a number of elder care options out there, assisted living remains one of the best, especially when it comes to maintaining as high a quality of life as possible for aging seniors who need some support.
First, be patient.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Your loved one isn’t going to settle in and be completely comfortable and excited and making friends on day one. Well, some seniors might, but most will take some time.
There may even be moments when your elderly mother or father, for example, call you crying, begging you to bring them back home. We have all experienced home sick emotions before. Just because somebody is in their 70s, 80s, or 90s doesn’t mean they are immune to those types of emotions.
Be patient and encourage the aging senior to give it a little more time, but don’t dismiss whatever concerns, doubts, or fears they have.
Second, take advantage of respite care options.
If your mother hasn’t decided on assisted living full-time just yet, many local quality facilities do provide respite care options. Take advantage of them.
Your mother may need your help in the afternoon or evening most days of the week. You might have numerous other responsibilities, including your career or raising children to tend to. If a local assisted living community offers seniors the option of being dropped off to spend the nights there, to be picked up in the morning, that can be a great way to get the care she needs when you’re not available.
Third, strike up conversations about assisted living.
It could be about the facility itself, the struggles and challenges the senior is dealing with on a daily basis, or even some of the activities or entertainment you’ve already learned that are taking place at the local facility you and the senior have been considering.
Some seniors will avoid the topic if they don’t really want to consider it, but if you strike up conversations, they may be more willing to talk about it.
If the senior has already moved into the facility, talk about some of the activities, ask questions, and be proactive in helping draw out their true emotions, possibly including enjoyment at this new home.
Lastly, avoid visiting or calling too much.
Once a senior moves in, they need time to get out and explore, make new friends, participate in activities, and meet some of the other staff members. If you’re calling or visiting daily, even multiple times a day, they might just wait in their room for your calls or visits. That’s not going to help them. So, limit your interaction, but be consistent. You can call every day, just try to avoid calling throughout the day.
If you or an aging loved one are considering a move to assisted living in Spanish Trails, NV, please contact the caring staff at Golden Brook today. Call (702) 931-0055
Golden Brook Residential Care Home is an assisted living facility located in Henderson, Nevada. The facility offers a variety of services to seniors who need assistance with their activities of daily living. These services include 24/7 care, medication management, meal preparation, laundry, housekeeping, and much more. The facility also offers activities such as bingo, exercise classes, and gardening to promote social interaction among residents. Overall, Golden Brook Residential Care Home provides a safe and comfortable environment for seniors who need assistance but still want to maintain their independence.
Our caregivers and staff members treat our clients, residents, and their families with the utmost respect. Our focus is to provide the highest quality of care and service with compassion and dignity.
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