How Can Mom Stay Positive About This Upcoming Move to Assisted Living?

October 5, 2016 by ·

Assisted Living in Pascagoula AL

It’s not always easy to stay positive, even in the best of situations. When something is happening in life that isn’t of your own personal choice or that you’re reluctant to consider, it’s extremely Assisted-Living-in-Pascagoula-ALdifficult to remain upbeat and positive. As October is Positive Attitude Month, let’s talk about ways your elderly mother (or other family member, friend, or loved one) can remain positive when getting ready for a move into assisted living.

Focus on the benefits.

The first thing everyone should do when they’re preparing for a move into assisted living is to stay focused on the benefits. There should be numerous benefits for everyone, but since each person is different, one may see something as a benefit while someone else will see it as either being negative.

It’s a good idea to have a clear understanding about what this senior views as being beneficial to moving into assisted living. Is it the opportunity to reconnect with friends? Is it the chance to make new friends? Is it the opportunity to take part in various activities? Is it about no longer needing to worry about general home maintenance or upkeep?

The list of potential benefits is incredibly long, so go through them and keep focused on them. When you have a better understanding about what your loved one focuses on with regard to the benefits of assisted living, remind him or her whenever they seem concerned, nervous, anxious, or begin doubting if they made the right decision for themselves.

Work through the process with them.

If you have the opportunity to be there as a physical presence, help this elderly person go through various boxes, furniture, mementos, pictures, and everything else that may need to be packed up, donated, sold, or given away to other family members and friends. When the senior has somebody else with whom to share this journey, they can certainly express their concerns, but they’re also more likely to be focused on the positive aspects of it.

If you notice your elderly mother has begun doubting herself and questioning whether this was the right decision, it’s most likely general stress and anxiety creating doubt. It’s not that she made the wrong decision or she’s going to regret this for years to come, and helping her stay positive is a matter of communication and keeping one’s eyes on the upcoming benefits it will bring to their life.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living in Pascagoula, 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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