Is Winter a Good Time to ‘Try’ Assisted Living?

January 4, 2024 by ·

Is Winter a Good Time to ‘Try’ Assisted Living?

What season is best for an aging senior to try something new? By ‘new,’ we’re talking about assisted living. There are many different types of elder care available for those elderly men and women who need a little assistance along the way through each day, but assisted living is arguably one of the best. Assisted living maximizes quality of life and helps men and women feel comfortable and safe, even as they deal with limited mobility, increasing health issues, or other challenges.

Elder Care: ‘Try’ Assisted Living in Spanish Fort, AL

Elder Care: ‘Try’ Assisted Living in Spanish Fort, AL

There’s really no wrong or “bad” time to start life over at assisted living, but many people think winter is the worst time imaginable. That’s because in many states across the country, the weather turns sour, cold, snow and ice fill the air, or heavy downpours and cooler temperatures swamp the South.

In truth, the senior would then have the distinguished option of being cooped up inside their own home, spending most of their days alone waiting for a visit from a family member or friend or living it up at a quality assisted living community surrounded by other peers their own age.

Assisted living is all about “living.”

Too many people think of assisted living like other types of elder care, especially medical facilities. They view it the wrong way simply because they don’t understand what assisted living is all about.

Other people may feel guilty for even bringing up the topic to an aging parent or grandparent, not wanting to be viewed as somebody who is just trying to “put them in a home.” That is often viewed as trying to get rid of somebody as the end of their life approaches.

In truth, many seniors ultimately choose assisted living and realize they have so much life left to live because there are now opportunities to enjoy each day. There are people to talk to, games to play, activities to participate in, and the freedom to go to different places, thanks to the transportation options that a facility may provide.

Keep in mind that each assisted living facility is different so not all of them will offer the same activities, entertainment, companionship, or transportation.

So, why start in winter?

What better time? When the cold weather hits, most people spend the bulk of five, six, seven months or longer inside. This is the time to get out and explore, walk the corridors, check out a fitness center on-site, enjoy fine dining at the right assisted living facility, speak to a staff member, make new friends, and more.

For those seniors who may be struggling with limited mobility, increasing health issues, or other challenges, assisted living helps them live life to the fullest, with the right staff support along the way.

What kind of support does a quality assisted living community offer?

The staff is experienced. While some may be relatively new, the majority have considerable experience in assisting aging seniors with mobility, Activities of Daily Living such as bathing and toileting, moving from the bedroom to the bathroom, or simply going for a walk.

There’s no better time to try assisted living than during the winter months when everything else seems to be shutting down.

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

 

Filed Under: Assisted Living Mobile AL, Assisted Living Spanish Fort 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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