Adjusting to Assisted Living May Not Be Just the Senior’s Issue, but Their Family’s as Well

September 18, 2018 by ·

It’s easy to assume when an elderly person chooses assisted living the adjustment will only be theirs to make. Yes, they will have to adjust to this new life in this new home, but it’s not just going to be their life that changes, but possibly a spouse, adult children, and others who care about them.

Assisted Living in Citronelle AL: Adjusting to Assisted Living

Assisted Living in Citronelle AL: Adjusting to Assisted Living

How long will the adjustment period take?

That all depends on each individual. Some people adjust to significant changes in life relatively quickly while others may take months and months to ‘come around.’ If an elderly person is reluctant to consider assisted living at first, they may have certain trepidations, concerns, anxieties, or even misconceptions about what this type of facility can offer. When they go on a tour, get to meet some of the residents at a particular facility, and have an opportunity to sit down and ask questions of the staff, they often realize how beneficial this can be. Some seniors even begin to understand it’s an exciting prospect they would love to pursue.

What about the adult child or spouse who has been caring for this senior?

They may have been supporting this person for years. They may love the fact they can do something to help, but feel overwhelmed with stress and anxiety that comes along with being a caregiver. When they are no longer needed, though, it can be difficult for them to get back into their own lives.

This is the opportunity to reconnect with friends.

This former caregiver can now step out into their social life once again. They can pick up the phone or go on to social media and reconnect with friends they haven’t seen in a long time. They can begin exercising if they haven’t been able to do so for a while. They may be able to read a few good books that have been collecting dust because there simply wasn’t enough time to enjoy this recreational activity.

When somebody chooses assisted living, it can be a wonderful asset for that senior, but the adjustment time can be difficult for both him or her as well as their primary support system. By delving into activities that person had given up, by reconnecting and rebuilding relationships that have been pushed aside, the adjustment process can be smoother.

It’s a good idea to avoid visiting too much as this might cause that senior to miss out on some wonderful activities and building new friendships with other residents at the facility. It will also cause the caregiver to delay their own adjustment period.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living Citronelle AL · Tagged:
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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