Taking Time to Adjust to Assisted Living near Saraland AL

May 6, 2014 by ·

(A Daughter’s Concern for her Mother near Saraland Al)

Sylvia walked with her mother into the building, both of them nervous and unsure about what to expect. This was the first time that anyone in her family would be moving into assisted living, and she honestly worried about how her mother was going to cope and adjust.Assisted Living Saraland AL

Sylvia spent the better part of the day with her mother, talking to her, helping her unpack and settle in, and was reluctant to leave. Dinner was approaching and one of the administrators who was helping her mother settle in as well took Sylvia outside, and advised her that it would probably be best if she would leave soon so that her mother would have some time to begin the adjustment process.

The staff member told Sylvia that sometimes seniors adjust quite rapidly while other times it just takes longer. She would have to let go and let her mother become more comfortable with her surroundings, and that would only happen if she were allowed to explore on her own.

So Sylvia went home for the evening and to her surprise, her mother didn’t argue with her or beg her to stay. She thought that her mother would do that, and she was a bit disappointed when it didn’t happen.

Throughout the first week, Sylvia stopped by to visit with her mother every day, often spending several hours with her. She was concerned because her mother hadn’t made any new friends yet, and didn’t seem as though she was getting involved in any of the activities. She kept saying to the staff members that every time she visited, her mother never seemed to want to go down to the common room, or to the restaurant, or to do anything.

One of the administrators then told her that her mother was actually doing quite well and that she was mingling, but that it would take time to adjust to this new life. They told Sylvia that her mother expected her every day, so she made sure that she was in her room for the visit. They suggested that Sylvia allow her mother some time to get used to this new life for herself, and so she did.

Within another week, when Sylvia stopped in for a visit, she met some of her mother’s new friends, and a couple of old ones that she had lost touch with long ago. Getting comfortable in assisted living might take time, so be sure to give your loved one that time when they first move in.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living Saraland 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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