helping families cope with assisted living transitions

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helping families cope with assisted living transitions

Have you been considering moving a loved one into an assisted living facility? Do you have concerns about how your loved one will cope with the change? I went through this with both of my parents as well as my husband's mother, so I have learned the right and wrong ways to make such a big change. I created my blog with the hopes of helping other families going through the transition. The content you will find on my blog will help you learn how to talk with your loved one about the change and how to choose the facility that will make your loved one comfortable and happy for the rest of their lives.

Visiting Your Loved One In A Senior Living Community

The move to a senior living community—such as Autumn Manor—is a big adjustment for the person moving to the community as well as the family that supports them. As part of this transition, at least on the part of the family, it is always a good idea to allow your loved one the chance to transition on their own and to immerse themselves into the community. Keep in mind that it may require a change to your visiting habits to accomplish this goal. 

Learn the Community Policy

If your loved one moved straight from their own home to one of these communities, you might be accustomed to visiting whenever you want. However, you want to take the time to find out if the community has visiting hours. It is fairly standard for a quiet hours rule in place that prohibits visitation after a specific time in the evening. Get all the information so that you are prepared. 

Follow Their Lead

When your loved one lived alone, you may have visited frequently to ensure they were not alone too often, but this might not be an issue anymore. Pay attention to your loved one, and if you see that they have picked up on some social activities, such as joining a gardening club or having a regular afternoon tea date with some other residents, make sure you plan your visits not to disturb their schedule.

Be Mindful of Other Residents

You also want to be mindful of other residents, especially if your loved one lives in a shared space. Some communities offer residents the opportunity to have a roommate in their unit. If this is the arrangement in place, be sure that your visits do not interfere with the other person's schedule. However, if you must visit during this time, be sure to cause as little disturbance as possible.  

Visit Virtually

Altering just how often you visit your loved one does not mean that you must lose communication. You can rely on technology for another way to check in with your loved one daily if daily visits are not appropriate. A smartphone or tablet application offers a convenient way to video conference with your loved one to ensure they are happy, safe, and comfortable in their new home.

Remember, every person is different, so it is essential to do what is best for your loved one. For more ways that you can help support your loved one with this transition, be sure to contact a community representative.


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