Three Things You Could Do for a Grandparent at Assisted Living During This Pandemic

September 23, 2021 by ·

The pandemic has changed the landscape of many aspects of life for millions of people. For those at assisted living, things have been extremely difficult. Maybe you have a grandparent who has been at assisted living for quite some time, perhaps even throughout this pandemic.

Or, maybe this is a grandmother or grandfather who is about to move into assisted living for the first time. As an elder care option, assisted living offers many benefits for older Americans.

First, it provides them a safe and comfortable environment in which to live. This is often far better than living alone

Assisted Living in Spanish Fort, AL: Seniors and the Pandemic

and struggling to make meals, do the grocery shopping, clean, and keep up with the general maintenance of a house.

Having staff there 24 hours a day, seven days a week can be extremely comforting, especially for somebody who may need a little bit of help every once in a while, but not constant, around-the-clock care.

Second, it helps them be surrounded by people their own age. Yes, it’s great to be surrounded by family and friends, but when you are living alone and feeling isolated, that can drag you down emotionally.

While not everyone will find assisted living to be a wonderful asset, the vast majority of seniors who choose this make new friends, discover new activities to explore, and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Yet, during a pandemic, things have changed. Below are three things you might be able to do that will help a grandparent or even both of your grandparents at assisted living right now.

1. Write letters.

Your grandparents probably wrote letters to friends and family in their younger years. Maybe they have continued the tradition to this day. While you, as a younger adult or even a great-grandchild might be used to texting, social media posting, and emails, physical letters can be a blessing.

Sit down and write a letter (by hand) rather than simply sending a text message. You’ll have to give more careful consideration and thought into what you say, but that’s kind of the point.

2. Adhere to safety protocols for the assisted living community.

If you are planning to visit and the assisted living facility allows visitation now, adhere to their safety protocols. Don’t argue. If they require a vaccination, respect that, even if you haven’t been vaccinated get. If they require face masks, do so.

You don’t have to agree with all of the safety protocols put in place, but as long as you respect them, it makes things much easier for everyone involved.

3. Take part in a video call.

Staff at assisted living may need to help this aging grandparent use a tablet, smartphone, or laptop to get set up on a video call, but when they do, it can feel a little bit more personal than just a phone call.

Being able to see you could brighten your grandparent’s day. And, during these difficult times, being able to brighten someone’s day is a wonderful asset.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Spanish Fort, 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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