Sometimes, It Could Take Months for a Senior to Adjust to Assisted Living

August 31, 2020 by ·

Making the transition to assisted living is not going to be easy for everyone. Even for aging men and women who are enthusiastic about the prospect of assisted living, it could take them weeks, possibly even months to get “settled in.” 

What causes the challenges for some seniors? It can be different for everyone. For somebody who has lived in the same house for decades, possibly even 50 or 60 years, most of which if not all with their spouse who passed away some time ago, letting go is often difficult. 

There are going to be feelings of homesickness, a sense of loss, and even confusion at times. When they wake up in the middle of the night and are slow to recognize their surroundings, fear can creep in. 

For other seniors, they might be dealing with some type of memory related challenges like Alzheimer’s. A memory care assisted living facility can be a tremendous asset, but that doesn’t mean getting comfortable is going to happen overnight. 

 

What does it take to adjust to assisted living?

Assisted Living Saraland, AL: Adjusting to Assisted Living

Everyone is different. There’s no such ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that will work for everyone. The most important ingredient, though, is support. 

Having family or even friends supporting this senior during their settling in time is going to be invaluable. That doesn’t mean people have to be close enough to visit or take a 12-hour plane ride to visit them; phone calls can be invaluable, too. 

In this day and age of telecommunication advancements, a simple Facetime or Skype chat can help that person feel more comfortable about this new living situation and the future. Short of that, a simple phone call can be a wonderful idea. 

Also, keep in mind many seniors are more used to letters and cards than video chat features. Sending a few letters and cards, encouraging other family and friends to do so can boost spirits like you wouldn’t believe. 

Another way a senior can adjust more readily to assisted living is to become more actively involved in whatever activities or entertainment options are available at that particular facility. 

Every facility is different so what may be available at one might not be an option at another. Still, most quality assisted living communities are going to provide some options for their elderly residents. They should take advantage of these however they can. 

The more a person actively engages their surroundings, their living environment, the more comfortable said living environment will become. 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Saraland, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017. 

Filed Under: Adjust to Assisted Living, Assisted Living in Saraland 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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