Strategies To Help Your Aging Loved One Adjust To An Assisted Living Facility

Placing your aging loved one in an assisted living facility can be a difficult decision, but the reality is that it can be the best decision for their health and safety. It can be especially hard when you're trying to help them adjust to their new environment.

Here are some tips on how to make the transition easier.

Prepare Them Ahead of Time 

Prepare your loved one ahead of time by visiting the facility and showing them around. This can help familiarize them with their new home and make the move less intimidating.

You can also provide information about activities they can engage in, other residents they might meet, and available services. Talk with them about all the benefits they will receive by making the move, such as increased safety and medical services.

Explain why this will be a positive change for them and how it will improve their quality of life. Make sure they understand what they'll be getting out of it. This way, they'll be prepared for the change and less likely to feel overwhelmed when the move happens.

Let Them Maintain Some Control 

Encourage your loved one to make decisions about their own life. Let them choose their room and any decorations or furniture they would like, as this will help them feel more comfortable in their new home.

You can help your aging loved one feel more comfortable in their new surroundings by decorating their room with items from home, like photos or mementos. This will make them feel more connected to home and familiar with their new space.

If possible, try to arrange for things like furniture from home that will bring familiarity into the space. You can also help them pick out bedding and other decorations that reflect their personality so that their room truly reflects who they are.

Encourage them to maintain their routine and participate in activities they like. For instance, they might want to walk daily or attend religious services. Make sure you let them know that their opinions and preferences are still important. This will help them feel more in control of their own life and less like they're being taken away from everything familiar.

Once your loved one moves into assisted living, stay involved in their life. Visit often if you can, and encourage other family members or friends to do so. 

Make sure they have plenty of company so that they don't feel isolated or alone in a new place without familiar faces around them all the time. Helping keep them connected and engaged with family members helps ease any anxiety associated with moving away from home.

Contact assisted living facilities near you to learn more.

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