Why Is Dad Not Getting Out and About at Assisted Living Right Now?

October 24, 2017 by ·

It took a long time for your father to finally come around and realize the value in assisted living. He was determined to support himself, living alone, as long as he could. However, he was lonely, couldn’t drive anymore, and his friends simply didn’t have the ability to visit with him. After a while, he began to actually look at the brochures and other information you provided for him one afternoon.

Assisted Living in Citronelle AL: Taking Part in Activities

Assisted Living in Citronelle AL: Taking Part in Activities

A few months later, he finally asked to visit a facility.

You took your father on a tour of a local assisted living community. He was surprised to realize some of his friends from many years ago were living there. They all talked about how great it was, the wonderful activities and entertainment, and the camaraderie they had with so many other seniors facing similar challenges in life.

Right then and there your father decided that assisted living was perfect for him.

So why is he not getting the most out of it?

It seems that your father is simply sitting around his room. You’ve visited him often, called every single day, especially during those first few days and weeks after he moved in. You were concerned about him and just wanted to check in with him, but as the days turned into weeks and it’s now moving beyond a month, it seems he doesn’t know what’s going on, hasn’t really taken part in any of those activities, and has barely gotten down to the dining facility.

What is he doing?

The important question to ask him at the moment is what he’s doing in his room. Some seniors will simply sit around in their room because they are extremely shy and withdrawn. They might have extreme difficulty meeting new people.

Maybe that’s not your father, so you need to understand what is causing him to remain in his room. It could be that he’s waiting for your call, expecting you might visit soon, and doesn’t want to miss those opportunities.

This happens far too often when loved ones are concerned about an aging parent or grandparent moving into assisted living for the first time.

They call or visit far too frequently and that causes the senior to prefer waiting by the phone or their room, just in case.

It’s time to encourage your father to get out and explore. Set a prearranged time when you will stop by for a visit or call. It’s best to call early in the morning or later in the evening, which will give him the opportunity to get out and explore and see all of the benefits assisted living truly offers.

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

Filed Under: Assisted Living Citronelle 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