3 Ways to Positively Support Your Elderly Father as He Transitions to Assisted Living

September 25, 2018 by ·

It’s absolutely essential that we support our family and friends, especially when they’re dealing with difficult circumstances in life. If your elderly father is planning a move to assisted living, it’s a great decision. However, he might be having second thoughts, apprehensions, or concerns.

Assisted Living in Daphne AL: Supporting Dad's Transition to Assisted Living

Assisted Living in Daphne AL: Supporting Dad’s Transition to Assisted Living

Below are three ways that you can positively support him in this endeavor.

Remember, just because something is the right thing to do doesn’t always make it easy. In fact, many people experience homesick feelings, anxiety and stress, doubts, and so much more when they’re making a significant move in their life. Moving is one of the top three stressors in life, so be aware of what your aging father could be facing emotionally as well as mentally and make sure you provide him the right, positive support he needs during this potentially difficult transition.

First, let him know you’re there.

Just because you’re calling every couple of days or stop by once in a while to check in on him doesn’t necessarily mean you are ‘there’ for this transition. He may have felt pressured to make this decision or as though you and possibly others in his family just weren’t listening to his concerns, questions, or opinions.

Take the time to listen, acknowledge his concerns, and pay attention. When a person realizes others are actually listening to them rather than simply dismissing them, it makes a world of difference.

Second, talk about quality of life improvements.

Your father has made the decision to move into assisted living, but that doesn’t mean he is a willing participant or excited about the prospect. Discuss things he can no longer do, activities, time with friends he’s missing out on, and a number of other things. When he focuses on quality of life and realizes this can improve dramatically at assisted living, he will be more encouraged and enthusiastic about the prospect.

Finally, call and answer the phone when he needs you to.

He might not need to talk to you every day and it’s definitely not a good idea to call numerous times throughout the day once your father moves into this assisted living facility (because he might end up waiting around for your call rather than exploring his new community and making friends), but if a week or more goes by between calls or a visit, he could feel abandoned.

If he calls, speak to him. If he doesn’t, reach out to him. This provides an emotional safety net of sorts and can make these transitions more fluid and comfortable.

If you or an aging loved one are considering assisted living in Daphne, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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