Ways to Make Assisted Living Transitions Easier for Seniors

May 12, 2023 by ·
Moving Transitions: Assisted Living Pascagoula AL

Moving Transitions: Assisted Living Pascagoula AL

Making a move to assisted living can be both exciting and intimidating. The older a person is or the longer they have lived in the same place, the more difficult it might be to accept these changes in life. Moving is one of the biggest stressors in life, but for somebody of advancing years who either may struggle with their activities of daily life or simply no longer wish to cook meals, clean the house, or maintain their living environment the way they had in the past, assisted living is a great elder care option.

Once an aging senior has committed to moving into assisted living, it’s important that they begin planning this transition as early as possible. It’s going to be difficult, without a doubt. However, family and friends and other loved ones can help to make this transition a bit smoother and easier for that aging senior.

Let’s look at three ways you might be able to help this elderly person in your life prepare and make the move to assisted living.

Make Sure They Have Assistance

A lot of people unfortunately try to do everything on their own. When you’re younger, that might not seem to be as big of a problem as it would in your 70s or 80s. If the elderly person has limited mobility, has lost strength or even balance, then trying to pack up and get ready to move is going to be more challenging.

If you’re a family member or other loved one and want to help, but don’t live close enough, what can you do?

There are plenty of organizations and even businesses that, for a fee, might be able to help. However, you will most likely find close friends, other family, and other people who live in the area who may be able to offer assistance, whether it’s to move boxes, carry furniture, or even help clean.

Encourage Them to Talk About Their Feelings

Some seniors feel as though elder care, like assisted living, was thrown at them without their say so. An elderly person should be encouraged to make this decision for themselves, without coercion.

Make sure they understand this is their decision. As long as they feel they still have control and autonomy in their life, they will feel empowered to make this important decision or, assuming they already made it, to feel good about it.

They don’t have to talk about it with you or another family member, per se, but they should be encouraged to at least talk about their feelings with someone, even if it’s a close friend, neighbor, or a professional.

Stay in Close Contact

You might not live close to this aging senior, but between phone, text, and email, there are more than ample ways to stay in close contact with the people who matter most to us.

Make a quick phone call every few days to check in. Send a text to let them know you’re thinking about them. And always remind them of why this is a great elder care choice, and that they are going to have a wonderful time living there.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living, Assisted Living in Pascagoula 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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