If you or the senior in your life is new to assisted living, PeachTree Place Assisted Living in the Salt Lake/Ogden area offers five tips for success. We know that the transition can be challenging but with a bit of effort, your senior will feel supported, loved, and will thrive in the new environment.
Making The Transition
Your elderly parent might see the move to assisted living as an exciting opportunity to meet new people and become involved in new activities. Conversely, he or she might feel upset at the thought of leaving behind home and family to live in a new place. Whether your loved one accepts the new transition with eagerness or with hesitation, adjusting to a new home and routines can be challenging. At PeachTree Place Assisted Living, we help caregivers and residents alike make the transition with success.
Secrets To Success
It’s important to have a game plan when helping your senior move into assisted living. When you have a plan of what, when, and how things need to happen, you can greatly reduce the stress and anxiety that can accompany this transition. Here are 5 tips for success:
- Visit often: Help your elderly parent or grandparent adjust to their new environment by visiting often. You might want to bring a special lunch for just the two of you to enjoy, or you might bring several family members or friends by for an afternoon of entertainment.
- Provide Familiarity: Being completely surrounded by new things can seem a bit overwhelming and stressful. When you provide something familiar for your elderly parent, it helps him or her feel more at home. Give your dad a special family picture or favorite pillow to bring into his new room. Maybe your mom would like to go for a drive around the old neighborhood or start her mornings with her favorite herbal tea.
- Maintain Hobbies and Routines: Just because your senior is in assisted living doesn’t mean all their favorite hobbies and activities have to end. If your grandpa loves to go fishing, continue to take him to his favorite fishing hole. Make sure grandma gets a chance to play her favorite tunes on the piano.
- Keep Communication Open: Communicate with your senior often and make sure family members do the same. Put a reminder in your phone or on your calendar if needed. Provide your senior with phone numbers for family and friends.
- Send Special Deliveries: It might not be possible to visit often because of distance or time constraints. However, you can still send love and support through the mail with a special gift, flowers, or handwritten notes.
PeachTree Makes It Easy
You don’t have to feel alone when helping someone move into assisted living. At PeachTree in the Salt Lake/Ogden area, we offer lots of activities, friendly staff, and comfortable rooms to help make the transition easier. If you feel it’s time for your loved one to make the move to assisted living, visit our facility and we’ll help guide you through the process.
