Life in a senior living home is often a tough adjustment for families and residents.
Moving to a new home is hard – moving to assisted living can be much harder. Most people aren’t sure when they should begin to explore the assisted living facility option for their elderly parents or other loved ones. And because senior care and senior care facilities are often viewed with stigma and fear, many new residents enter these facilities with caution and confusion.
Facility owners and staff members must learn to address these concerns with empathy and understanding. It’s possible to help older adults and their families view this life change as an opportunity for a new beginning. Care facility staff members and owners can take steps to make the transition to assisted living as easy and stress-free as possible.
Tips for a Healthy Transition into a Senior Living Home
As the owner of an assisted living home, there is a lot on your plate. You’re in charge of your residents’ physical health and mental well-being. You’re managing team members, maintaining a facility, and keeping a watchful eye on operations. You also help new residents adapt to your senior living community. Easing the switch between independent living and skilled nursing care should be one of your top priorities.
When residents move into a senior living home, they may have recently experienced a health event that has limited their independence. They may be struggling with activities of daily living, have problems with their decision-making process, or have a reduced quality of life. They may also experience the emotional effects of undergoing a significant life change.
Fortunately, there are many ways that facility owners and geriatric care managers can help ease the transition to assisted living and make the move positive for both the seniors and their families. One of the best steps is to spend some time putting yourself in the family members’ shoes. What are they looking for in a senior living home? Ask yourself what questions they need answered, what their concerns are, and how you can address and allay their fears.
Many people have questions regarding amenities, changes in routine, long-term care insurance, and understanding the intake process. Take time to explain the logistics, such as food plans, visiting hours, and activities that impact a resident’s experience at a senior living home. Here are a few tips to help everyone involved experience a healthy transition to assisted living.
1. Focus on Wellness
Often, when families choose to move their loved one to a senior living home, there are concerns about their health and safety. The senior may have recently undergone a health event or simply be struggling with living independently.
Family members often select senior care facilities based on their proximity to their homes and services, such as doctors and healthcare providers. In some areas, there is currently a shortage of senior living options, so location isn’t everything. There are often other factors they consider, such as the health and wellness considerations of the facility.
Does your facility offer plenty of opportunities for residents to enjoy the outside? Outdoor access has proven beneficial for seniors. Facilities with a courtyard, a well-maintained exterior, and plenty of sunny windows are often appealing. Time outdoors also helps seniors feel independent and energized. From stronger bones to better sleep and happier moods, extra vitamin D for elders (in moderation) works wonders for their physical and mental health.
2. Personalized Living Space
The moment an older person moves out of their house and into a senior living home, they face many new experiences. These new situations can be intimidating and frightening for older adults. One simple way to ease their transition is to encourage families to personalize the resident’s space.
For health and safety considerations, certain items may be limited. Rugs and some furniture can cause tripping hazards. Electronic appliances can be a safety concern. But decorative items like personal photos, books, and artwork bring comfort to their space and help their new spot feel like home.
Facility owners and directors can assist with personalization in many ways. Something as simple as providing small bookshelves and bulletin boards or allowing residents to hang personal belongings in their rooms can make a huge difference. Walls adorned with handmade gifts from grandkids will help seniors feel cared for and connected to the world around them.
Similarly, encourage residents to continue to pursue their interests once they move to your senior living home. Modern senior healthcare caters to the interests and wellness of the whole individual, including their mental and emotional well-being. Musical instruments, pet visitation programs, lending libraries, and art classes allow residents to continue the pursuits they love and incorporate them into their new lives.
3. Encourage Independence
Seniors may initially feel restricted or overwhelmed by the assistance at a senior living facility. This is especially true if they’ve previously lived independently and can no longer come and go as they please. Often, they may have experienced a significant health crisis or the early stages of cognitive decline, so they’re also feeling trapped by their mind and body.
Residents must be encouraged to make independent choices whenever possible. This may be as simple as deciding to eat certain foods or engage in activities they enjoy. The freedom to organize their new living area how they’d like, to choose their bedding, or how their furniture is organized allows seniors to feel in control of their lives.
Seek opportunities for residents to get involved with the community as well. Senior visitation programs with local schools allow seniors to give back by sharing their knowledge and wisdom with younger generations.
Talent shows, classes, and movie and game nights allow residents to form friendships and meet their neighbors in their senior homes. Provide plenty of options for them, especially as they build new social connections. As the relationships form, it reinforces their sense of autonomy. Outings and excursions will give residents a sense of adventure and independence that helps combat the blues they may feel during this life change.
4. Schedule Activities
When people move into a senior living home, they may focus on their lives changing and forget to LIVE! Staying busy is the best way to promote a happy lifestyle in a new senior living home. Zumba, gardening, book clubs, cooking, yoga, computers, and social media are great examples of the fantastic activities offered at senior living homes today. These enrichment activities keep seniors living vibrant, whole lives.
As seniors age, many have lost friends, neighbors, and even their partners. This loss can lead to isolation and loneliness—one of the biggest dangers to seniors’ health. The Elder Care Alliance found that socialization and friendship are key to healthy aging. When seniors connect with others, the health benefits are enormous, from improving memory to reducing stress. Moreover, engaging in physical activities helps prevent memory loss and cognitive decline.
Offer plenty of information and encourage new senior residents to explore the activities your facility offers on-site and in the community. Help new residents establish a routine by offering ongoing classes and regularly scheduled programming. This could also include access to services such as a beauty salon, manicurist, massage therapist, and holistic activities.
The move to a senior living home doesn’t need to be sad or stressful. It can be a chance for seniors to move toward health, socialization, and a safe, whole life. As the owner of a senior living facility, it’s your job to reassure families and provide their loved ones with plenty of opportunities for enrichment and self-care. Help seniors transition to a newer and brighter living situation where they can settle in for years.
Featured image via Pxhere. All images are licensed for use via Pxhere and Pixabay.
