Seniors For Living

Moving into assisted living, independent living, or any other senior care setting is a major life transition that will likely take time to adjust to, even if it was a decision amicably reached. Bringing in home care also commences a time of transition for the senior receiving services, as a new person/team of people becomes part of the senior’s daily routine and living space.

A great piece from AllAssistedLivingHomes.com called the former “relocation stress syndrome” and offered advice on easing into this adjustment period in a two-post series.

Yes, assisted living might be full of opportunities and perks; residents have the chance to meet new people, ditch most of their usual daily chores, enjoy meals prepared, served, and cleaned up by someone else, can participate in fitness classes, lectures, games, concerts and outings, and more. But family members and friends must recognize that the move still signifies a loss of independence and a need for care that is not easy to reconcile after years of self-sufficiency.

Follow these tips to help your loved one adjust:

1. Before selecting the facility, visit often so that the environment isn’t completely new upon arrival. And, after move-in, continue to visit your loved one regularly.
2. Establish – or maintain – a routine. If you always visited Mom on Sundays, continue to do so. If Dad read the paper every morning at home, be sure to change his delivery address so he can still get the paper at his new location.
3. Don’t push your loved one to get involved in activities or socializing before they are ready to do so.