Once the Transition to Assisted Living Is Done, It Still Might Be Tough

January 31, 2017 by ·

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL

You may have been relieved when you’re father finally agreed to move into assisted living. He had been living alone for years, ever since he and your mother divorced. He never remarried, never got into another serious relationship, and spent all of his time with friends.Assisted-Living-in-Satsuma-AL

As the years progressed, you started noticing changes in his physical capabilities. He had a minor heart attack and became weaker as a result. You started helping them out, but quickly realized this was more than you can handle.

That’s when he started talking about assisted living.

It was a difficult conversation to have at first. He was resistant to the idea. He wanted to remain where he was. He had been living in the same house for years. He was comfortable there. He knew where everything was. Now you are asking him to completely change his living situation and he accused you of looking out for your best interest rather than his.

As time marched on, you continued to do what you could to help him, but it was a struggle, to say the least. You didn’t have that much time to devote to him, and after a while he started to realize just how much stress and anxiety you were dealing with just taking care of him.

That’s when he began asking questions about assisted living.

You didn’t have all the answers, but every question he asked you went out and found the answers for him. You contacted a couple of assisted living facilities in the area, met with some administrators, and even went for a tour. After a while, your father was interested in going for a tour as well.

When he finally decided this was the right choice for his future, you felt relief. You thought the transition to assisted living was going to be smooth. After all, wasn’t he the one talking about it all the time now?

He may still have anxiety. He may still have regrets. Yes, assisted living can certainly offer him some incredible opportunities, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be an easy transition to make.

After he moves in, he may also have difficulty adjusting.

This is a completely different lifestyle. He might be nervous, shy, or withdrawn. Eventually, as long as you don’t stop by every day, call him every single day all day long, and give him the opportunity to get out and meet people, he will begin to realize how comfortable it can be. The transition might be tough, but it’s well worth the adventure.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Satsuma, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

 

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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