Settling Nerves with a Pending Move to Assisted Living

March 20, 2018 by ·

Moving is one of the top five stressors in life. Losing a close family member is arguably at the top of the list when it comes to the major stresses in life, but making a move is second in many surveys. When an elderly person is planning a move to assisted living, their family and friends might be excited for them, seeing this is a wonderful opportunity, and they can lose sight of just how stressful this is for that individual.

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL: Settling Nerves

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL: Settling Nerves

How to help the senior feel comfortable.

The longer a person has lived in the same place, whether it’s an apartment, house, townhome, condominium, or anything else, the more entrenched they become. We, as a species, have a tendency to gather items over the years. One only needs to go in their attic, basement, or storage unit to see just how much ‘stuff’ they accumulate over the course of their life.

When a person has lived in the same place for decades, there will be a lifetime of memories, tokens, mementos, furniture, dishes, paper towels, toilet paper, and so much more. It builds up and the more stuff people accumulate, the more memories they have in the house itself, the more difficult it can be to move.

One of the best ways to help an elderly person settle their nerves is to focus on small things. Instead of the big move that is coming up, think about an activity that is common at this new facility and of which the senior will be interested. It could be a particular art form or craft activity. Maybe it’s a type of entertainment. Whatever it is, focus on the small things, especially something the senior is not doing at the moment because of their physical limitations and where they live.

Also, depending on how long it’s going to be before this move, starting slow and doing a little bit of packing up, going through items, and giving personal mementos to close family and friends a little at a time can help to settle some of those nerves.

Help the senior become acclimated to their new living space.

Before they move in, find out the dimensions of their new living space. If it’s similar to a secondary bedroom in their house, arrange that room in a way they will do it in their new assisted living room. Put the furniture in place, add pictures, and help them see this might be what their new living environment will feel like.

This can help them feel more relaxed and, ultimately, become a little more excited and comfortable with this pending 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.

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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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