One of the easiest ways to provide support is simply by listening as the person makes their decision. They may want to talk through the options or express their concerns about the move. Some conversations might include tears or strong emotions. You might have your own feelings about the transition. Allow the other person to share what they want without trying to dismiss what they say. It's helpful to validate their feelings while being careful not to downplay their concerns.
Your faith is often a calming force for major decisions and transitions. Praying over a move to assisted living offers peace and clarity on the situation. Encourage your loved one to pray over the decision with prayer suggestions based on the circumstances. If they're uncertain about the move, you might suggest they pray for wisdom and clarity to help with the decision-making process. For a senior who's anxious about the move, offer prayer suggestions asking for peace and comfort. You can pray these same messages on behalf of your loved one or set aside shared prayer time.
Touring assisted living communities gives your loved one a better idea of where they want to live. Offer to drive them to the communities and take the tours with them. Your presence may help ease some of their anxiety and allow them to feel supported. You also serve as a second opinion on each property. Take photos of the community, write down details and ask questions to get adequate information to make a decision.
Assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living umbrella offer 24-hour assistance with personal tasks and medication management services. Additional amenities and services vary from location to location. On a wider scale, you'll find significant variety in what each community offers.
Handling the research process for your loved one eases their workload during the process. Make sure you fully understand what assisted living is and what it typically offers. Then, dig deeper into prospective communities to see what they offer and how they compare to other nearby communities.
Older adults often focus on what they lose by moving to assisted living. They might think about downsizing or moving away from neighbors they like. Help them reframe the situation by highlighting the benefits of the move. Examples include:
Once your loved one starts researching and visiting communities, help them talk through the options and compare the details. You might offer a different perspective that helps them develop their opinion. They might overlook some pros or cons of each community. Be careful not to push too hard to change their mind about locations. Present them with the facts and share your opinion if they ask.
The attention often focuses on how the move affects the loved one. However, you're likely going through many emotions as well. For instance, you might feel sad that your parents are selling your childhood home to transition to assisted living. It's common to feel a range of emotions when your loved one makes the move to senior living.
Allow yourself to feel those emotions fully. You may need to talk to a different family member or friend to get the social and emotional support you need during the process. Getting help from a professional through therapy sessions is also an option. Practicing self-care and mindfulness may help you feel more grounded and better able to handle your emotions surrounding the move.
Downsizing and packing can quickly become overwhelming. Since your loved one is moving to assisted living, they might have mobility limitations, which adds to the complexity of packing and moving. Helping your loved one plan and do the work can help them streamline the move to assisted living. Create a moving timeline and a to-do list to help keep the activities on schedule.
After your loved one arrives at their new home, stick around to help them get settled. This might include unpacking boxes, arranging furniture and putting out photos and other mementos. Having that help makes the process go faster and may help them feel at home quickly. Being surrounded by familiar items helps create a welcoming feeling. Talk with your loved one about the communication plan going forward so you know what they expect and can respect their wishes. For some people, lots of contact with their loved ones is comforting. Others might feel homesick if they hear your voice soon after the move.
