Move to Assisted Living- How to Help Seniors Transition
When family members see their parents or loved ones staring to need additional help they are faced with having to make the decision to move them to Assisted Living. The assisted living environment offers seniors the freedom to live independently in a supportive setting. They can have as little or as much help as needed. The socialization that seniors get in Assisted Living leads to a much better quality of life. I have had several residents tell me over the years, that they wish they would have moved in sooner.
The problem arises when the senior refuses to move. Here are a couple of effective strategies for helping a senior make the transition to assisted living.
1. Try before you buy- The best thing to do for a reluctant senior is to get them used to the idea slowly. There are several options for getting seniors slowly acclimated to the idea of moving into assisted living. You can try a Respite stay which is a short term stay, in a community that does not require a long term contract. Respite stays are generally from 2 days to 2 weeks. Having your loved one stay for the weekend will give them a good feel for what the community has to offer and often, is enough to dispel some of the dated misconceptions that seniors hold. Most communities charge a fee for a respite stay, but many will allow a perspective resident to enjoy a complimentary meal or two. This experience allows the senior to meet some of the residents and sample the food and services of the community. The senior may also want to attend a special event or a particular activity that interest them. All of these things should be done without putting pressure on the senior to make a decision. If the senior feels forced they will be more hesitant to move.
2. Listen to what is being said- Is the senior afraid of loosing their freedom or independence, are they afraid of giving up their personal belongings, or are they holding on to an outdated concept of senior housing? You have to listen closely and help the senior work through their concerns.
I have more tips that have been proven to work over the years that I will share in future Blog postings. Please subscribe to this post to get my free monthly newsletter filled with great information to help families navigate the worlds of Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing.
Vernon Roberson, LNHA, MA
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uberVU - social comments — October 23, 2009 @ 12:14 am
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By Linda Buroker, November 6, 2009 @ 11:01 am
I enjoyed your blog article re:transitioning into a care facility by doing a trial period of several weeks. I work in assisted care and the culture shock, especially with an unwilling senior can be devastating. I am working on a series we fostering independence whether seniors live at home or in a care facility. Keep up the good work. Linda
By duney99, November 14, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
Linda,
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and thanks for the response.