How Can One Help an Aging Parent Find Their ‘New’ Home at Assisted Living?

November 28, 2017 by ·

As people get older, they will face an increased risk of certain challenges. Whether it’s health related, due to diminished strength, or other factors, it may become extremely difficult for them to support themselves at home. For these men and women, assisted living can be a great option to consider.

Assisted Living in Chickasaw AL: Finding a New Home

Assisted Living in Chickasaw AL: Finding a New Home

It’s not always easy to find the ideal home.

Not every senior is going to have the luxury of numerous assisted living facilities within their region. Some will only have one or two, and the closest one might be 15 or 30 minutes from their home.

Some seniors also may have preconceived notions about assisted living.

This can make it extremely difficult to convince him or her that this is a good idea for their future. Once the family has managed to convince their elderly loved one to at least consider assisted living, the next step is helping him or her find the right facility for their new home.

Gather information.

The most important first step is gathering as much information about a particular assisted living facility or several that may be in the area. Share this information with the senior and allow him or her to look through brochures or other information at their own pace. Avoid the temptation to try and rush them through this process.

Yes, they may be dependent on you or somebody else in the family, and they may have safety concerns, but trying to rush them through the process is only going to exacerbate the issues.

Schedule a tour.

Most assisted living facilities will provide perspective seniors and their families the opportunity to go on a tour. This can provide the senior a direct view of what living there could be like. They might get the chance to meet some other elderly residents, see the entertainment center, get a first-hand account of various activities that might be going on, and much more.

Discuss what was seen.

After the visit with one or more assisted living facilities, it’s a good idea to sit down with the senior and talk about their impression, their thoughts, and simply listen to what they have to say. Over time, even the men and women who are most ardently opposed to the idea of assisted living often come around to seeing it as not just something to consider, but something that could truly improve the quality of their life and help them feel happy once again.

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