As difficult as it may be for us, and them, it is likely our parents and grandparents will need help at some point. With that in mind, you can do a few things to help them accept assisted living:
Maintain constant communication with them.
Give them encouragement and support. Make sure they have all of the stuff they'll need from home until they're ready to move out, and come up with a few suggestions to make their lives as easy as possible.
You'll not only be assisting your loved ones, but you'll also be freeing yourself from worrying about their loneliness or unhappy retirement.
Ways To Help Seniors Accept Assisted Living
1. Talk to your loved ones about it.
The decision is not yours alone. Involve the entire family in discussions about whether this is the right move for your loved one, and if so, which care options are best. The conversation is more effective than trying to do it alone.
Maintain a positive tone by focusing on the good aspects of the situation. It's always important to keep a positive outlook, especially with a loved one aging and experiencing health issues.
Support their decision-making process, not their choices. Allow your loved ones to choose what lifestyle best suits them, but make sure you're giving them good advice without pressuring them into making hasty decisions that may not be in their best interest.
Don't force them to move. Some seniors need to go into assisted living, but not all. It's important not to pressure someone who has a lot of issues with trust, issues with staff, or other health problems that make it difficult for them to get around. Forcing someone into moving or choosing care options that make them uncomfortable might be more stressful than helpful.
Keep in mind that every senior has different needs, and finding the proper environment
for your loved one may take a lot of trial and error.
Seek advice. Talk to other assisted living families, caregivers, doctors, and other professionals who work with the elderly to get ideas and recommendations.
Don't give up. Suppose you go through all of your options and still don't find what you need. That doesn't lessen the chance of your loved one living in an environment that suits them best. Many seniors need to keep looking until they finally find a place where they are comfortable.
2. Go to a few assisted living places with your parent.
Take your loved one for a stroll. This is a great way to get to know the place. It's essential to see what kind of buildings they have and how they look.
Check-in with your loved ones to check whether they're happy, and if not, what's lacking and who to call if issues emerge.
Take a look at their amenities and the staff members. You want to see if the place is clean and the staff is helping them well. Get a sense of how the residents are doing and whether they are happy. To see if they are comfortable and what they like or don't like about the place.
Enquire as to whether or whether they like their accommodation. This will be very helpful in the future.
3. Check whether someone you or your parents know has just moved.
It might be unpleasant for your parents to be alone in a new area since they don't know anyone. By asking around to see whether any of their friends have just relocated to an assisted living complex, you may help your parent build a bridge. In this way, they may feel comfortable and safe. Moving will be a lot easier.
Your parents can choose a neighbourhood independently or with your assistance, but the actions outlined above should ensure that everyone in your family is satisfied with their choice. Remember that compassion is essential, so have frequent talks with your parents about the benefits and drawbacks of each community, and always try to conclude together.
About the Author
Andrea Gibbs is the Content Manager at SpringHive Web Agency, a company that offers web design services, maintenance, and Internet marketing. She specializes in content marketing, social media, and SEO. She also serves as a blog contributor at Serenity Senior Care. She's an avid personal development enthusiast and an expert in the field of health and fitness. When she's not writing she can be found running hills or hiking trails, rooting for her favorite team (the Pittsburgh Steelers), or watching a good Netflix series.
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