Things WILL Change When Your Mother Moves to Assisted Living

August 31, 2021 by ·

Moving into assisted living is a significant life change. When it’s your mother (or even a father or a spouse), you may face a number of questions. They might not fully understand the benefits that assisted living can offer as an elder care option.

Understanding that things will change is important. A lot of people say things will be better, things will be basically the same, and not to worry. That is being disingenuous.

Don’t misunderstand this, though; assisted living is one of the best options for aging men and women who may have certain challenges in life. Many challenges seniors face increase with age, health issues, injuries, accidents, and mishaps.

Not everybody is the same. And because of that, it’s important not to assume the experiences of another senior you know will be the ones your mother will face when she moves into assisted living.

It’s important to acknowledge that things will change.

One of the most disingenuous things a person can do is say everything will be the same. They won’t be. Even if your mother remained in her house or apartment, a place she has lived for many years, things won’t remain the same.

If she is having difficulty with some basic tasks of daily life right now, staying put, in the same place, is only going to bring her more challenges. That could mean more struggles, more safety risks, more loneliness and feelings of isolation.

You can’t always predict exactly how things will change, but the one reality is that as people move through their 70s and into their 80s or 90s, things will change. There is simply no way around that.

So, acknowledge that with your mother when she has chosen assisted living for her future. Acknowledge that things will change. Admit that they will.

Also, understand that assisted living is a great elder care option.

Assisted Living Theodore, AL: Changes With Moving Into Assisted Living

Just because things will change doesn’t mean that those changes are all negative. Your mother may see them as negative at first. A lot of people do, especially when they don’t fully understand what assisted living is and offers.

They have a lot of misconceptions about this elder care option. Focus on why this is such a great thing for her, even though a lot of things will change.

Now, as far as the actual things that will change, let’s talk about a few possibilities.

1. She won’t have to worry about keeping her home clean.

Vacuuming, preparing meals, cleaning up after dinner, and so on can tax a person of advancing years and their physical abilities. She won’t have to worry about this anymore, not at a quality assisted living community.

2. She won’t be alone if she doesn’t want to be.

If your mother enjoys her quiet time, her alone time, she can get that plenty at assisted living. But, she won’t feel isolated and alone because she’ll be surrounded by peers her own age, maybe even friends, some of whom she hasn’t seen in years.

3. She won’t have to worry about her safety as much.

There’s always going to be a staff member nearby to help in a time of need. You see, not all changes are bad. Some of these changes can be incredibly beneficial.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living · 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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