Moving To An Assisted Living Community is a Family Affair

 

If moving day is around the corner, you might be wondering how you can best support your senior loved one’s transition to assisted living. Whether they are excited to make the move or a little hesitant, they will still need your support to make the move as smooth as possible. If your loved one is on the fence about moving, they will need extra reassurance and a listening ear. Our experts discuss a few ways to support your loved ones through this new phase.

Make Regular Plans With Your Senior

Making regular recurring plans is a great way to put your hesitant loved one’s worries at ease. When making the move to assisted living, seniors often worry about how often they can see their family, and the answer is as often as they would like! Scheduling regular plans with your senior eliminates this worry. Consider a weekly dinner or a weekly brunch. Bonus points if you’re able to make it the same day every week. It’s comforting to everyone to know that we go visit grandma every Tuesday!

Surprise Visits or Gifts

There is no need to wait for a holiday to send your senior loved one something special! Sending them a little gift, like cookies, flowers, or even just a card, lets your loved one know that you are thinking of them. If you get off work early and are able to stop by for a surprise visit, even better! Your senior, much like anyone, wants and needs connection. These little surprises don’t take much effort on your part but make a big impact on your loved one’s day.

Keep Them Involved

Even if your loved is on board with leaving their home and moving into a senior community, they will need reassurance that it is the right move at every step of the way. One of the biggest fears we see seniors have is that they will lose touch with their families. If this is the case, it is crucial to keep your loved one involved in family events, discussions, and decisions as much as possible. Even if regular visits are difficult, with tools like Zoom, and Facetime our aides can help our residents stay in touch with their families in a meaningful way.

Embracing A New Home

Transitioning to a new home can be difficult for anyone, especially for a senior who has lived in their home for the last 20 years or more. In order to make this transition as easy as possible, consider bringing a few must-have items to their new home. We recommend family photos and any small sentimental items that just feel like home. And yes, at UMC at Bristol Glen, most pets are allowed! Encourage your senior to get involved in the daily activities offered. After a few days of participating, your loved one will be wondering why they didn’t make the move sooner!

Your New Home at UMC at Bristol Glen

We understand how difficult this transition can be for you and your loved one. At UMC at Bristol Glen, we make this time as easy as possible with a bustling activities calendar, welcoming neighbor residents, delicious meals, and cozy apartments to call home. There is no better way to experience our community than by taking a personal tour. Give us a call today at (973) 250-9897 or visit our website: https://umcommunities.org/bristolglen/

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/bristolglen/blog/moving-to-an-assisted-living-community-is-a-family-affair/