Tips to Make a Move to Assisted Living Easier for an Aging Parent

December 9, 2016 by ·

Assisted Living in Daphne AL

Moving at any time of the year is going to be difficult. During the winter months, especially in the northern states, it can be downright overwhelming. In most situations, a senior moving into Assisted-Living-in-Daphne-ALassisted living will have family members or a professional moving company assisting them with this important transition.

During the winter, though, packing, emptying out a house, going through memories and boxes they haven’t seen in years and maybe even decades can be difficult. As an adult child of an aging parent who has chosen this for their future, here are some tips that can make a world of difference, not just for you, but for them during this transition.

Moving Tip #1: Be available.

Make yourself available. If you’re elderly parent requires a lot of assistance at home, you may feel like you’re completely stretched to your limits. You can’t make yourself more available.

If that’s the case, consider hiring home care support services. Your mother or father right now will likely need you for assistance getting ready for this move, at least a lot more than they need help with other basic tasks throughout the day.

An experienced aide can be a great support system not just for them, but you as well. It allows you to become more available for these packing tasks and sifting through old furniture, boxes, and memories that can be overwhelming at times to face.

Moving Tip #2: Help with packing.

You may assume your mother is fully capable of packing up clothing, desk items, cards, papers, and more, but she may have a lot of difficulty. She might put on a good façade, but deep down she is struggling emotionally and physically.

The simple act of packing things into a box can be difficult, and if your mother is hunched over, squatting down on the ground, or in some other uncomfortable situation, she might need more help than you realize.

Moving Tip #3: Discuss activities.

For some, it can be depressing packing away all of their possessions, especially if they shared this house with a spouse for most of their adult life. Instead of focusing on all of those memories that cause pain, discuss activities he or she will be able to do in their new assisted living community.

By staying focused on what’s to come in a positive light, it can help this transition go more smoothly.

Moving Tip #4: Visit.

Once your elderly parent is situated in their new home, don’t overlook the importance of visiting. You may visit quite frequently during the first week or two, but once you realize he or she is comfortable, you may step back a bit.

It’s a good idea to visit consistently, whether it’s a once a week, once every other week, or at some other interval. You certainly don’t want to stop by every single day because you want that parent to be encouraged to interact with other residents. However, a visit every so often will help with this major life change.

 

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

 

Filed Under: Assisted Living in Daphne 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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