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Helping Your Loved One Transition Once They Have Moved into Assisted Living

By November 17, 2021No Comments
moving into assisted living

Moving into an assisted living home is a big life decision. It can be difficult for family members as well as the individual that is moving into assisted living.

Imagine you lived in the same home for most of your life. You raised your children there, grandchildren visited, and you have friends, neighbors, and relationships that you have developed over the years. Memories have been made and leaving is not something you willingly want to do. However, your health is declining and you are finding that daily living activities such as cooking, cleaning, and personal grooming have become difficult. Family members, friends, and personal care attendants from home care agencies are needed for you to accomplish your daily living activities.

It is at this stage of life that loved ones and their family members need to communicate honestly with each other and determine if assisted living is the next step.

The Transition To Assisted Living

As a family meets with their loved one and they determine that they should no longer live at home, they need to consider assisted living options and determine the best place to transition. This is a difficult but important transition. Once an individual has settled into their new assisted living home, they are often able to socialize with people their age, engage in meaningful activities, attend regular outings, and have 24/7 care attendants available. They will have access to delicious meals, assistance with personal grooming, regular housekeeping, and more.

The first few weeks can be a tough transition as the resident is adjusting to a new environment and new people. Just because they are an adult, does not mean that it is not intimidating to make new friends and become comfortable with the health care staff. It is important that family members:

  • Check in with your loved one regularly either in-person or via telephone to see how they are doing
  • Be aware that the transition is harder around special holidays
  • Encourage your loved one to participate in the daily activities
  • Help your loved one to get to know the other residents
  • Ask the administrator and caregivers how their loved one is adjusting
  • Ensure the staff members know what their loved one’s interests and hobbies are
  • Ask their loved ones how they are adjusting and what would help them to adapt better
  • Help their loved one participate in activities that they enjoy, have an interest in, and stimulate their mind
  • Encourage their loved one to eat well, stay hydrated, and exercise daily

If family members are sympathetic about the difficulty of transitioning into an assisted living home, and have strategies that will aid in the transition, their loved one will be able to adjust quicker and enjoy their new home.

What Should People Look For In An Assisted Living And Memory Care Provider?

Choosing the right assisted living or memory care provider is vital. Helping a loved one find an assisted living or memory care facility where they feel comfortable, loved, and can engage in personal interests will make all the difference. When searching for an assisted living and memory care home, we recommend that you look at:

  • Staffing Ratios
    • How many staff members are there compared to the number of residents? The higher the staffing ratio, the better. If your loved one needs assistance, are they able to care for them quickly? It is important that the appropriate number of staff are readily available to tend to your loved one’s needs.
  • Inviting And Fully Furnished Room
    • It is important that your loved one feels comfortable during their stay. An inviting, fully furnished room is essential. Ensure that the room is well kept, has a private bathroom, temperature control, comfortable bed, and linens.
  • Delicious And Nutritious Meals
    • Do they provide home-cooked meals and tailor to special dietary needs? It is essential that the food that is being served not only looks and tastes good but is full of health-promoting nutrients.
  • Engaging Activities
    • Do they have a dedicated activities director that helps the residents participate in engaging, life-enriching activities? It is one thing to participate in an activity. It is another thing to participate in one that genuinely interests your loved one. Find out if the activities that are offered can be tailored to your loved one’s interests.
  • Accessible Administrator
    • Is the administrator readily accessible to answer your questions or address needs? It is important that you can discuss needs or concerns quickly and not have to wait several days before gaining a response. Assess whether you can easily communicate with the administrator, and how likely they will be able to address you and your loved one’s needs.
  • Residents Are Content And Well Groomed
    • Are the residents happy and look well cared for? It is crucial that your loved one receives the attention, care, and respect that they deserve. Observing the residents at the facility you are visiting will give you a good idea as to how attentive the staff are and the type of care that is being provided.
  • Inviting And Calm Atmosphere
    • Does the atmosphere feel right, and does it feel like home? From the moment that you drive up to the assisted living or memory care home, what type of a feeling do you get? Does it feel welcoming, light, and portray an encouraging atmosphere? When you walk up to the door and enter the building, does it give you a positive impression? Are you warmly greeted by the staff? An inviting, calm, and welcoming atmosphere is important when choosing the right assisted living or memory care home for your loved one.
  • Great Survey Outcomes
    • Does the facility have good survey outcomes, and have they been awarded local and national quality awards? When selecting an assisted living or memory care home, investigate the facility’s survey outcomes. Look at their survey history and determine whether there have been positive or negative outcomes.

These are just a few questions to ask when searching for the perfect assisted living or memory care home.

Choose The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care

The Cottages Senior Living will provide the best environment for your loved one. Their small, home-like atmosphere and high staff-to-resident ratio helps ensure that the residents are well cared for, and their needs are addressed. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care homes only have a maximum of 16 residents per home, which enables our staff to give more personalized care. The home-cooked meals not only follow dietary guidelines but are delicious and nutritious. The activities are tailored to the residents’ wants and desires, creating life-enriching moments. The administrator has an open-door policy and is never too busy to meet with family or answer questions. The home and atmosphere feel calm, happy, and look like a home. The Cottages are secure but never feel like an institution or hotel. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care has received numerous national and state quality awards for their well-run homes, exuding superior care.

If you are looking for an exceptional assisted living or memory care home, look no further. Call The Cottages today to schedule a tour or speak with one of our experts! (208) 475-1805.

 

References

Tips On Making The Transition To Assisted Living Easier. (2021). Retrieved 17 November 2021, from

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