Monday, February 9, 2015

Tips for Transitioning From Home to Assisted Living



There can be many reasons why your elderly parent could benefit from assisted living in Hendersonville. Perhaps their health is declining and they are no longer able to live as independently or maybe they simply need some extra assistance. While families have the best interest of their loved ones in mind, it can be a sensitive subject to bring up. Many seniors want to age in place as long as possible. If you have gotten them in-home care and find that they still need more support, assisted living can be a good step when a nursing home is not yet appropriate.

Talk to your aging parent ahead of time about moving to an assisted living facility rather than springing it upon them. Discuss your concern for their wellbeing and how the move can benefit them and their safety. Reassure them that they will still maintain as much independence as possible. Let them help look at facilities to find one that they feel comfortable with.

Bring familiar items so it feels more like home. They will not be able to bring everything they own, but pick some of their favorite things. Pictures, knick-knacks, and mementos can brighten their day and give them something to talk about with others as they make new friends.

Meet with staff to familiarize yourself with care providers. Stay with your loved one for a while to help them adjust and start building connections. It is a new situation so it is common for them to be slightly resistant until they get used to their surroundings.

Arrange a schedule for visits and calls so they have something to look forward to. Give them some space to acquaint themselves with their new home and make friends. But also be available to provide reassurance and let them know you care. Regular visits or calls can help your aging parent to feel connected and see friends and family and also fill you in on how their days have been.

Find ways for them to get involved and stay active. Look into activities offered at the facility or nearby in the community. This could include exercise classes, hobbies, social groups, or events. Allow them to continue doing things that they enjoy and keep their mind sharp. Socialization is important to reduce boredom and isolation which can lead to depression.

Sometimes remaining at home just isn’t practical or safe and your senior needs more support and personalized care. Always Best Care Senior Services of Asheville-Hendersonville not only offers high quality in-home care, but also free referral services when your senior is ready for assisted living. Help them to find a community they feel comfortable with and take steps to ease the transition to this next phase of their life.
To learn more about our valuable in-home care services as well as referrals for assisted living, call (828) 989-7263 or visit www.alwaysbestcareWNC.com. Provide your senior with the support they need to live more safely and independently.

4 comments:

  1. These are all awesome tips on transitioning your elderly family member into an assisted living center. Had no thought to bring familiar items with you to the facility. I think that is an excellent idea to help make the transition process a lot smoother for your family member. Thank you for all of this great advice. http://happyhomemakershomecare.com

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  2. My father is not going to leave his home very easily. He built that thing with his bare hands and has lived in it for the past fifty years. We don't want to leave him home alone anymore though. We think a facility like this would be really good for him. http://www.orchardparkretirementcommunity.com

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  3. I love the idea of bringing familiar items. This can really help with the transition so it feels more like home. Not only that, but it will also help them feel more comfortable and like they still have a part of their old home with them. I'll have to remember this when the time comes to move my mom into an assisted living facility. I think it could really help her with the transition! http://www.cpretirement.ca/en/

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  4. I need to discuss assisted living with my mom, and I believe these tips will help both of us to make her transition more easily when the time comes. I hadn't thought to schedule our visits and calls. I definitely think that will help to ease her transition by offering her a sense of security. Thank you for these tips!

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