Transitioning to Assisted Living Isn’t Easy for Most, and Family Is Going to Be an Invaluable Support at That Time

January 15, 2019 by ·

Making a move of any kind is going to be stressful. There’s no mistaking that simple fact. When a person in their late 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, or even older than that finally realizes that assisted living is a wonderful option to consider, they might be excited.

They might have trepidation. They might be anxious. They could very well be looking forward to this new opportunity. No matter how their emotional mindset, making the transition requires help.

Assisted Living in Spanish Fort AL: Family Support

Assisted Living in Spanish Fort AL: Family Support

It isn’t just about physical assistance.

People can hire movers if it’s about packing up boxes, putting things in storage, selling items online or at a garage sale or tag sale, giving them to other family and friends, and so on. They can hire help to do just about anything physically.

Making the transition is also about the emotional component.

Assisted living is a wonderful option for people who may feel lonely but have their full mental and physical capacity intact. Assisted living could be a wonderful option for those who might have difficulties with certain physical demands every so often. Assisted living could be a wonderful option for those who might be contending with some type of health issue.

The vast majority of seniors who move into assisted living ultimately realize it was one of the best decisions they could have made at that point in their life. For many of those, the transition was still difficult.

How can people help seniors make this transition more comfortable?

The first is obvious: offering physical assistance. When family or friends can help people go through and pack up items, figure out what they’re going to do with these belongings, they can tap into the memories the senior(s) have of those things. They can share experiences and that can be a wonderful and cathartic moment.

They can offer encouragement and companionship.

When many seniors decide assisted living is right for them, they’ve already been living alone for quite some time. When they make this transition and their adult children, friends, neighbors, and others call and visit (enough, but not so much that they don’t actually explore the facility), it offers an incredible level of comfort for them.

Another key component in helping people transition is listening.

Far too many seniors reach a point when they believe nobody cares what they have to say; that nobody cares what they think or feel. Sitting down and asking questions, listening to them, and not disputing or arguing things but rather just letting them talk or vent will give them the opportunity to work through their emotions on their own, in their own way, at their own pace.

It’s not always easy to move. It’s one of the top stressors in life. But with the right support, it can be an incredible experience.

If you or an aging loved one are considering assisted living in Spanish Fort, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

Filed Under: Assisted Living in 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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