Transitioning from a home environment to a retirement community comes with many changes to your loved one’s lifestyle. This next phase of life is exciting with many new opportunities to make new friends and explore new hobbies. However, the first step out of their comfort zone and home of many years can be a stressful change for your loved one. Your support makes a difference and can help them have an easier time adjust to their new environment and routine. Read on to find out 4 ways you can help your aging loved one adapt to assisted living.
Keep in Touch Frequently
The first few months of moving to a new environment can feel lonesome for your loved one. Keeping in touch with them frequently can help them feel supported and gives them an avenue to share their new life with you. Going for a walk in the park, having a meaningful conversation over lunch, or attending exercise classes together are great ways you can keep your visits meaningful. You can visit your loved one alone to spend some one-to-one bonding time, or bring along your family members, relatives, and friends.
If visiting your loved one daily is too much for your schedule, you can still keep communication flowing through phone calls. Set aside a specific day or time of the week for your loved one to expect your call, and encourage family members to do the same. Remember to check the activity schedule of your loved one too so you do not disrupt their daily routine in their new community.
Make Them Feel Special and Remembered
Sending small gifts, such as flowers or their favourite desserts, helps your loved one feel loved and reminds them that you are thinking about them. Each little step you take towards your loved one goes a long way in expressing your love and support for them.
Personalize Their Visit
Living in a new environment can feel foreign and far from the home they are used to. You can help your loved one make their new residence feel more like home by bringing along their personal items that are meaningful to them. Some of their treasured items can include family photo albums, scrapbooks, sweaters, medals, or other knick-knacks! These treasured items full of memories can also make for a great ice-breaker for your loved one to share with their new friends!
Choosing a Suitable Assisted Living Facility
Choosing an assisted living facility that is suitable for your loved one’s needs is of utmost importance when helping them to transit into a new chapter of their life efficiently. At SummerHouse Heritage Woods, care and personal attention lie at the center of optimizing “living” for our residents. Our community has a variety of resident-focused amenities, senior-specific wellness classes, daily activities, recreation and social events, and more, to empower our resident seniors to lead a more active and satisfying way of life. Our team members are here to lend a friendly helping hand when and where your loved ones need it, to help them adjust to their new journey in their golden years to the best of our abilities.
If you would like more information or to schedule a tour, please feel free to contact us and a friendly member of staff will be in touch as soon as possible.
