3 Things Seniors Need to Transition Into Assisted Living

August 29, 2023 by ·
Assisted Living Citronelle AL

Assisted Living Citronelle AL

Choosing assisted living means making a significant change in one’s life. For an aging senior who might have difficulty at home preparing meals, going to the bathroom, taking a shower, getting dressed, or performing other activities of daily life, assisted living might not have been their first elder care choice.

They may have thought about other types of elder care, and maybe they relied on different forms in the past, but eventually a growing number of seniors understand the value of facility style care.

What is the Value of Assisted Living?

It’s in the entirety of the concept. The senior is surrounded by experienced staff members day and night. They are surrounded by peers their own age. They are surrounded by activities, people who have a desire to live, who have the desire to get out and enjoy the nice weather, to play games, to have conversations, to enjoy entertainment, to go to local parks, to garden, and so much more.

In other words, people at assisted living have a desire to maximize quality of life, even as they require increasing assistance and support throughout their days.

One thing seniors often struggle with while transitioning to assisted living is in the weeks or months leading up to their move in date. Even for aging seniors who are enthusiastic about a transition to assisted living may need more support and assistance during this time.

Let’s look at three things that seniors may need while they plan a move to assisted living, whether they been living alone for decades or just a few months.

Help Downsizing

Assisted living is all about offering assistance when needed. Before they actually get to the facility and move in, this aging senior might need help to downsize. They may need help going through items, holding a tag sale, donating items, offering things to family and friends, and figuring out how to make it all work while they transition to this new life.

Emotional Support or Encouragement

Sometimes assistance comes in the physical form. Sometimes it’s the emotional form. The longer a person has lived in the same place, the more difficult the move will be. They might need emotional support. They may need an encouraging word. Or, they might just need somebody to listen to them as they work through their emotions regarding this new change in life.

Talking on the phone, sitting there with them, and not trying to correct them or tell them how they should feel or shouldn’t feel, but rather just listening is a great way to offer them that emotional support. An encouraging word every once in a while will help, too.

Patience

Whether their memory is fading, they’re struggling with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, or they are just overwhelmed with the whole process of moving, there will be times when they push you. There will be times when they get frustrated. There will be times when they get scared. Be patient. Moving is an incredibly stressful life change, so offer as much patience as you can muster.

If you or an aging loved one are considering a move to Assisted Living in Citronelle, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Alzheimer’s and Assisted Living, Assisted Living · 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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