Three Key Questions You May Want to Ask an Elderly Parent After They’ve Enjoyed Respite Care at Assisted Living

October 3, 2022 by ·

Respite care is a great option that’s available at quality assisted living communities. It’s not available at all assisted living communities or all quality ones, but when it is, when they have the availability, it is a great way to help an aging senior recognize what this elder care option offers.

If there’s an elderly person in your family, perhaps your mother or spouse, for example, who you feel would benefit from a transition to assisted living, look into the various elder care options that may be available nearby.

When you find one, such as the ability to stay overnight for a few days a week, getting dropped off in the evening and picked up in the morning to return home, you may be able to ask questions and ascertain what they felt about it.

Yes, an overnight stay is not quite the same as living there full-time, but it can provide some great insight into what they might enjoy if they decided to move in full time.

To help you dig deeper, below are three great questions you may want to ask that elderly person after they’ve enjoyed respite care at assisted living for at least a few days.

 

Question #1: Who did you meet?

Assisted Living Daphne, AL: Respite Care and Seniors

Assisted Living Daphne, AL: Respite Care and Seniors

Some people are shy. It’s difficult for them to get out and meet others. Yet, at assisted living there are going to be plenty of men and women their own age, often with similar interests.

They may even reconnect with friends they haven’t seen in a long time. They might notice acquaintances and begin striking up a conversation, learning that they have so much in common.

If they didn’t meet anyone yet, then find out why. If they’re shy, encourage them to simply enjoy some of the evening entertainment or, if there are activities going on at those times, to participate in one of them. They are sure to meet somebody before too long.

 

Question #2: What were your meals like?

At a quality assisted living community, mealtime is important. The better the facility, the more they should have the option of restaurant style eateries. They may be struggling to prepare food at home and asking this question can get them to reflect on the difference in grabbing a slice of buttered toast in the evening and having a full, hearty and nutritious meal.

 

Question #3: Would you consider going back?

You don’t necessarily want to put them on spot, but if you ask this question, you should be able to determine whether they had a positive experience, even if they don’t really answer the first two questions in the kind of way you might have hoped.

At the end of the day, assisted living is perhaps one of the best elder care choices for people who may be living alone, who have difficulty with activities of daily living, or who no longer want to deal with the responsibilities of taking care of a primary residence. Asking some of these questions can break the ice and get them thinking a little bit deeper about their future.

If you or an aging loved one are considering a move to an Assisted Living facility near Daphne, 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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