Dealing with change can be hard at any age. For seniors planning to move out of their family homes and into assisted living communities, it can feel downright overwhelming. Family members need to be aware of the potential for post-move stress and may want to make plans now for how they will support their senior loved ones while they settle into new communities.
Keep Seniors Involved in Family Life
One of most aging Americans’ biggest fears when it comes to moving into a senior living community is that they will get left behind. Make it clear that loved ones will still be involved in special events and family occasions, whether that means sending someone to offer a ride to a reunion or scheduling extra visits during the holidays.
Knowing that they still play an essential, valued role in children’s, grandchildren’s, and other family members’ lives gives many seniors a sense of purpose. Reach out before events such as birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and graduations. Even if there will be no way to attend in person, even staying involved from afar can help to maintain feelings of connection.
Be a Positive Influence
One of the best things about living in a community for seniors is that it offers residents opportunities to socialize and stay active in ways that wouldn’t be possible aging in place alone. People who aren’t used to living in highly social environments sometimes find it hard to adjust, though and may need some extra encouragement from their family.
Don’t be too aggressive. No one wants to feel forced into activities or social engagement. Try more subtle nudges in the right direction like asking about what they’re doing each day, which activities they’ve enjoyed, and what else might be fun to try. Just remember, it’s about providing support, not forcing loved ones into uncomfortable situations.
Create a Routine
No one wants to feel like they will be forgotten. Coming up with a routine for in-person or virtual visits and phone calls and sticking with it will show seniors that their family still cares, even if they live far away. Without a routine for keeping in touch, even the best of intentions won’t necessarily keep relationships on track.
Creating a routine surrounding visits and phone calls helps to keep family members accountable for following through on promises made before their loved ones moved. It also gives seniors something to look forward to, but only if they can be confident that their loved ones will show up to the table each week as scheduled.
Play an Active Role
For those who live close by, more frequent visits can be very helpful as residents get accustomed to their new environments. This is especially true for those who require memory care services. Instead of just visiting loved ones in their rooms, family members can make a more active effort to get involved in their daily lives.
When scheduling visits, ask to find out if there are group activities that residents and their families can participate in together. Taking this extra initiative is a great way to get loved ones involved with their communities and make them feel supported in their daily lives. Plus, it gives family members a better feel of what the environment in the community is like and offers opportunities for better phone conversations between visits.
Learn How to Support Seniors Struggling With Dementia
As people age, their likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia increases significantly each year. Learning how to communicate effectively, maintain personal bonds, and encourage an active lifestyle will help to foster healthy relationships. Family members often find it difficult to see loved ones suffer, especially from progressive diseases like dementia, but continued engagement and active support make a large difference when it comes to their quality of living.
Those who don’t have much experience with caregiving or supporting aging loved ones sometimes find themselves feeling overwhelmed. There are plenty of resources online that can help, and the staff in memory care communities may be able to provide good advice about how to keep interactions positive, especially if they have gotten to know the resident well.
A Better Way to Live
Sometimes, providing a loved one with the support they need means helping to investigate better options for senior living. When it comes to assisted living in Lompoc, CA, there’s no need to look any further than Fountain Square of Lompoc. We offer daily support and services that help our residents maintain their independence as they age, plus plenty of opportunities for socializing and fun activities. Learn more online or call (805) 736-1234 to schedule a tour.
