Moving a loved one into an assisted living community can be a significant transition for both the potential resident and their family members. It's a decision often accompanied by mixed emotions, ranging from relief to sadness to uncertainty. As your family navigates this journey, it's essential to understand how to provide the best support to your loved one during this transition, and beyond. Here are some tips to help you support your loved one before and after they move into assisted living at The Cedars in McPherson.
First, let’s define assisted living. The resident in assisted living still has their own space, they just need some help. Assisted living provides help with daily activities such as housekeeping, laundry, meals, and medication management. One benefit of assisted living is that staff are available 24 hours a day if needed. This provides peace of mind for the resident, and their loved ones.
There are several important factors to keep in mind as you start to think about the next steps for your loved one. Open communication, research, planning, emotional support, and preparing their space are essential to a successful transition.
Start the process by having open and honest conversations with your loved one about their needs and preferences. If possible, it’s best to have these conversations before a health crisis. It’s much less stressful for family and the person entering assisted living if they have had a chance to prepare for this transition.
According to Aging Care, an ongoing discussion about assisted living helps the topic to feel non-threatening. These conversations, just as end-of-life care, while hard to have, are important.
If you haven’t had a talk about assisted living and aging-in-place, it’s okay. However, you may be on a more urgent timeframe to transition your loved one without discussion or planning, which can cause anxiety for you and your family member. Remember to listen attentively to their concerns and wishes and involve them in decision-making as much as possible.
Take the time to research different assisted living facilities thoroughly. Consider factors like location, amenities, level of care provided, whether the facility includes transitions to different levels of care provided within their facilities and reviews from other families. Visit multiple facilities to get a feel for the environment and ask questions to ensure it's the right fit for your loved one.
The AARP has an assisted living checklist that gives families a great starting point for their research and as they tour facilities. This checklist includes everything from how many living units are in the residence, to questions about cost, security, emergency procedures, and levels of care.
The Cedars offers tours of our assisted living residences to help seniors and their families see what our community is all about. We take potential residents and their families through a residence, our community spaces, discuss costs, and answer any questions they may have. Transparency is important and we want to answer your questions!
Involve your loved one in the planning process. Discuss their overall preferences. Learn more about what type of residence they are interested in. One of the main benefits of an assisted living community are the opportunities to be social and avoid isolation that can come from limited mobility.
Many assisted living communities, including The Cedars, offer social activities both on campus and off. At The Cedars, we have daily activities from fitness and wellness opportunities, to quilting, crafts, Bible study, games and more. We also take outings to places in McPherson, Salina, Hutchinson, and Wichita.
Consider the care that will be required after assisted living. Does the retirement community you’re researching offer care beyond assisted living such as skilled nursing? For many people it’s easier to make the transition from one level of care to another at the same campus. The Cedars offers multiple levels of living including independent, assisted, skilled nursing, and memory care.
As you consider the community and levels of care, collaborate to create a personalized care plan that addresses their specific needs and preferences.
According to Psychology Today, expect your loved one to have a lot of emotions about the transition to assisted living. You can help provide emotional support by being empathetic and understanding they may feel angry, sad, or fearful.
It’s important to validate their feelings and provide a listening ear when they need to talk. Be respectful of their need to process their emotions, and if you need to, take a break from the conversation and schedule a time to revisit it.
Once the decision has been made to move to an assisted living community, you can help your loved one prepare for their new living space. Be sure to pack familiar items from home, like photos, keepsakes, and favorite belongings, to create a sense of comfort and familiarity in their new environment.
Once your family member has moved into assisted living it’s important that they still feel connected to you and others. You can stay connected through regular visits, phone calls, and video chats. Isolation from family and friends is a fear for many moving into assisted living so it’s essential you create a schedule so they know when they can count on communication and visits from you.
One of the best aspects of an assisted living community is the community! Encourage your loved one to participate in activities and events at the community and participate with them whenever possible. Joining in activities together can enhance their sense of belonging and connection within the community.
Be an advocate for your loved one's needs and preferences within the assisted living facility. Communicate openly with staff members about any concerns or requests and work together to ensure your loved one receives personalized care and support. Knowing that you are advocating for them will help your loved one feel more comfortable and safe.
While it's essential to provide support and assistance as needed, it's also important to respect your loved one's independence. Encourage them to make decisions and maintain a sense of control over their daily routines and activities.
Stay informed about your loved one's care plan, medical needs, and any changes in their condition. Keep in touch with staff members and attend care meetings to stay updated on their progress and address any concerns promptly. The Cedars values open communication with residents and family members as part of our dedication to transparency.
Birthdays, holidays, and other milestones and special occasions are important to share with your loved one in assisted living. Plan visits or special activities to mark these occasions, create new memories, and show your loved one how much you care and think about them.
Moving into assisted living or other retirement community can be a hard emotional journey. Continue to provide empathy and compassion through these transitions and listen to your loved one’s concerns. Continue to reassure them and validate their feelings just as you would if they were living independently.
It’s important to take care of yourself so remember to prioritize self-care and well-being as a family caregiver. Seek support from other family members, friends, or support groups, and take breaks when needed to recharge and maintain your own physical and emotional health.
Supporting a loved one in assisted living involves ongoing communication, collaboration, and compassion. By working together as a family and staying actively involved in your loved one's care and well-being, you can help ensure they feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive in their new environment! If you are interested in scheduling a tour of our campus, contact us at 620-241-0919. We would love to show you The Cedars difference.
