How Often Should You Consider Calling or Visiting an Aging Parent Who Has Just Moved to Assisted Living?

May 8, 2018 by ·

No matter how much convincing it took to get an aging parent or somebody else you care about to consider assisted living, it is certainly a relief when you no longer have to worry about them living alone. When they were at home alone, maybe you sat up late at night, unable to sleep, wondering if they had fallen or been injured in some other mishap and simply couldn’t call for help. By choosing assisted living, this senior is now surrounded by a number of staff members and other seniors who can keep an eye on them, keep them safe, and even provide more companionship.

Assisted Living in Spanish Fort AL: Calling and Visiting After Move-In

Assisted Living in Spanish Fort AL: Calling and Visiting After Move-In

You’ve heard, though, that it’s best to limit visits and calls, at least initially.

There is some truth to this. In some cases, seniors can become dependent on family and friends for visitation. For example, an aging senior who is not extremely comfortable surrounding himself or herself with strangers may have a tendency to wait in the room for the phone to ring.

Family and friends may stop by and visit almost every day, in the morning, afternoon, and evening. If this senior is waiting for these visitations, they’re far less likely to get out and explore their new community and environment. They may miss out on a number of activities, entertainment, or the opportunity to make new friends.

However, avoiding calling and visiting can have a negative impact, too.

Some people go a bit too far the other way. They may worry too much about calling so often that their aging parent doesn’t even leave his or her room. But, if that senior is expecting the call at least once a day and doesn’t receive any communication for a week or more, they might begin to believe they’ve been forgotten.

There are many anxieties seniors have when choosing assisted living, one of them is being abandoned. If an elderly person thinks he or she is going to be abandoned when they choose assisted living, and then no one calls or stops by for a week or two (mostly because they were worried about overdoing it), that senior may feel justified in their initial concerns and fears.

So what is the balance?

The balance depends on each family dynamic, individual, and expectations. It may be prudent to set up a specific time to call or stop by when this senior is moving in. For example, establish a time in the evening that would work best for everyone involved. The elderly person will know exactly when a call or visit is expected so he or she has no excuse to not get out, explore, make new friends, and become comfortable in their new environment.

If you or an aging loved one are considering assisted living in Spanish Fort, 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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