Deciding to move your parents or grandparents to assisted living comes with many emotions. It can make you feel weak in your knees wondering whether they will be able to adapt to the new environment, make new friends, get good services, etc.
It could be equally or more overwhelming for your loved ones as they would also feel extremely uncertain about these changes. After all, it is difficult to leave their family, home, and friends. In this blog, there are seven strategies mentioned that you can use to ease this transition for them:
Give Time
Typically, it takes about three to six months for someone to adjust to assisted living. You may tend to second-guess your decision and also may feel guilty for sending your loved one to the facility. However, give yourself and your loved one time to adapt to this change. If you have the bigger picture in mind, it will help you sail through the rough patches.
Expect Some Setbacks
It might be possible that just when you thought your loved one is settling in the new place, they may complain about it and tell you they feel lonely. Well, you can console them for the time being and remind them you would be available when they want to talk.
They may request you to take them back if they start to feel extremely lonely or do not enjoy living there at all. You should give them assurance that they will feel better but also listen to their concerns. If they complain about the services of the facility, you might have to think of moving them to a new place.
Visit a Few Times until They Feel Settled
As mentioned, moving to a new place altogether is going to be difficult for them. You should visit them at least once or twice a week until they finally feel comfortable staying by themselves. However, don’t visit too often as it would take more time for them to settle in the place. Set specific days of the week if possible so that you and your loved one both have clarity on when to see each other.
Show them the Positives but also Acknowledge the Negatives
You might be tempted to paint a rosy picture for your loved one so that they find it easier to settle in. However, don’t forget to listen to their fears, worries, and anxieties. Listening to and acknowledging them will make them feel heard which is important. Then you can show them the positives of the situation too.
A Senior living in El Dorado County has scenic beauty and good services. No matter how good the services are, they will still take time to get used to the newness.
Send them their Personal Belongings
Things like blankets, pillows, or books will make them feel homely. Bring along their personal belongings to the facility so that they feel like they have something familiar. Well, they are leaving their home but you can surely try to fill the new place with homely things to make them feel at ease.
So, carry your grandmom’s favorite crockery or your granddad’s old spectacles the next time you visit.
Limit Exposure to New Things
Your loved one is surrounded by new things all around. New people, new location, new food, everything they will encounter would be new. And new things bring along uncertainty. This is not the time when you want to introduce them to any more new things. You may want to furnish the place in a fancy way or change the look of their room altogether. However, doing so will just add to their uncertainties.
Don’t Forget to Set Your Boundaries
Yes, transitioning period of your loved one to the facility can be an emotional rollercoaster. However, try to keep a balance by setting healthy boundaries as you might also have your own family, kids, boss, and clients to attend to.
Wrapping up
So if you are planning to move your parent or grandparent to assisted living, take these strategies into consideration and make the process easier for you both. If you are looking for a senior living in Folsom, you can reach out to a facility like Blissful Gardens Care as they have exceptional locality and services.
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