How Can Seniors Stay Connected to Friends When They Move into Assisted Living?

October 3, 2017 by ·

Making a move is not always easy. When a person has been in the same place for many, many years, possibly even decades, making the transition to a new environment can be one of the most stressful things they ever experience. In some cases, moving can be even more stressful than divorce or losing a loved one. When a person is contemplating assisted living, one of the things that may concern them the most is losing touch with their friends.

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL: Staying Connected with Friends

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL: Staying Connected with Friends

There are numerous ways that people can stay in close contact with friends, family members, and even neighbors when they make a transition like this.

It’s important to move where somebody is comfortable.

If an elderly person is contemplating assisted living, their family might encourage them to consider a facility that is close to them. If they live several hours or even further away than the senior, this could mean a significant challenge in keeping in close communication and contact with friends.

Many elderly individuals are going to prefer an assisted living facility within their own community. This might upset family members who see this as an opportunity to spend more quality time with their aging parent, grandparent, or other loved one in the twilight years of their life, but it should always be up to the senior.

The longer a person is rooted in one place, the more relationships they develop around that geographic location; it’s difficult for people to want to get up and leave from those relationships.

Modern technology is the key to staying in contact.

When seniors move into an assisted living facility, they will be surrounded by peers. They will likely form new friendships, new bonds, and might even experience new activities they enjoy. Keeping in close communication with other friends and family can be done in a number of ways. If the senior lives in the same community, their friends might be able to visit them. They may even be able to go out and visit with their friends at their house, meeting up at a restaurant or other venue, and so much more.

If seniors are connected with smart phones or tablets, they can do videoconferencing to stay in close contact with those they may have a difficult time reaching in person.

Many of the staff at assisted living can help elderly residents understand technology and how to use it, and how to incorporate it in their modern life. This can help them have better communication and possibly even maintain strong relationships no matter where they move.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Satsuma AL · Tagged:
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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