Tom Knows Assisted Living Is the Best Decision He Could Have Made

July 25, 2017 by ·

It wasn’t easy to get to this decision, but eventually Tom did. He eventually realized that moving into an assisted living facility would be a great option for him and his future. When his oldest daughter mentioned the prospect more than a year ago, he was actually insulted that she would even recommend such a thing.

However, he began to listen.

Assisted Living in Saraland AL: Making the Decision

Assisted Living in Saraland AL: Making the Decision

Tom understood his limitations. He was 83, widowed, and living alone. He didn’t have a lot of friends in the area, spent most of his days at home, and was feeling isolated and depressed at times. When his daughter began talking about assisted living and the various options available to him, he saw it as an insult to his independence, autonomy, and ability to take care of himself.

Yet, he also recognized the challenges he faced.

There were plenty of times when he called this same daughter who lived not too far away for help. He needed help getting things from the basement. He had difficulty getting certain things down from the cabinets in the kitchen. There were even times when he wasn’t feeling great and needed her to check in on him from time to time.

She did everything she could without complaint.

He appreciated her support, and he also recognized that it was having a direct impact on her personal life. He just hadn’t realized how much until one day she arrived at his house and looked as though she hadn’t slept in a week.

He talked to her about this and that’s when the topic of assisted living came up.

Initially, he was angry and told her to leave. After some thought and careful consideration, though, he called and apologized and asked her to tell him more about it. When she began to explain the benefits, that it was nothing like nursing home care, he started to contemplate it more seriously.

When he went on a tour with her, he was impressed by the dining facility, entertainment, amenities, and so much more. After living in this assisted living community for a few months, Tom knew without a doubt that this was the best decision he could have made for his future.

He had reconnected with friends he knew long time ago, made new friends, and was actually pursuing some new activities. He was more active now than he could have ever imagined just a few short months ago.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living in 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.
Google Verified Author