Tips for your parents moving into an assisted living

There comes a phase in everyone’s life where a parent is obliged to give up their comfortable lifestyle to live with their potential peers in an assisted-living facility. However, as easy as it sounds, making such a decision has always been an uphill task. Why you might ask?

Imagine having to give up a familiar place stuffed with emotional memories to live in unfamiliar territory with unfamiliar faces. But that’s not it; the myths and superstitions that come along with senior living have only piled on more hurdles to attaining the transition.

Not to worry! There are enough ways to evade such hurdles and offer a smooth transition for your parents into senior living.

Why Parents Transition Into Senior Living is Needed?

Looking for reasons for transition? The answer is quite simple; Sudden changes can be catastrophic for people of any age, let alone the elderly. Put yourself in your parent’s shoes - After decades of hard work, the pressure is finally off as you decide to cherish your post-retirement years with family in your ‘home-sweet-home’ that offers not only comfort but also much-needed warmth and safety.

In such a refreshing, new, upbeat life, the sudden pressure of relocating to an assisted living facility could trigger intense anxiety. So, here’s how you could convince your parents to settle in a senior living facility.

Dismissing Assisted Living Myths

You’ve probably come across the phrase, ‘assisted living is like a nursing home’ way too often. Your parents need to know that assisted-living facilities and nursing homes have far more differences than similarities. Nursing homes are primarily for seniors with chronic health issues who require round-the-clock medical surveillance, while assisted-living facilities are for seniors who partially require physical and medical assistance.

On the same note, another common misconception is that senior residents don’t have freedom or privacy. In reality, such senior living communities offer a homely atmosphere, with the residents mostly residing in separate apartments, embracing almost complete independence.

Provide an emotional zest to the new home

Moving into an assisted living facility can be a mentally draining decision for your parents. The pain of leaving their kids and potentially grandkids behind to live in a senior home is quite unmatchable.

Hence, to minimize the distress, try giving their soon-to-be apartment a homely feel by personalizing it with things that possess an emotional connection to their past. For instance, hanging up a mere family portrait on the wall can make a whole lot of difference.

Schedule regular visits to tone down early hiccups

During the initial stages, try visiting your parents for lunch or dinner as often as possible, until they feel comfortable enough with their fellow peers in the facility. Once they attain a certain level of comfort at their new home, you may reduce the frequency of visits, if necessary.

Elaborate on the amenities within the facility

Try and help your parents understand that assisted-living facilities aren’t as boring as they sound. Most senior homes across the world offer a wide range of facilities and amenities, and at least one of them could tempt your parent to give it a shot.

Several facilities even offer unique activities in the hope of bringing a smile to the seniors’ faces. The elderly absolutely adore games that have anything to do with cards and brain-teasing games, most of which are currently present in such senior-oriented communities.

Having the conversation with your parents

Conversing over a topic as sensitive as this needs to happen at the right place at the right time. Make sure your parents are in a rather calm and peaceful state before you think about initiating the conversation.

Most importantly, it needs to be a two-way conversation; Lend your ears to their concerns and fears and look to counter them with positive responses. If they continue to panic, ease off for a bit and offer them time and space. There’s always a tomorrow to start over. 

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a safe haven for your parents, we suggest you try out the renowned Athulya Assisted Living Facility, providing premium features, amenities and most importantly, safety for seniors across South India with skilled nursing care.

Athulya Assisted Living offers ergonomically-designed bedrooms, controlled air conditioning, nursing care, urbane bathroom and toilet features, a community kitchen, a video conference facility to connect with family, an in-house salon, slip-proof floorings, a peaceful ambience and television with a DTH facility.

Athulya Assisted Living, also, hosts a handful of engaging activities that might just convince your parents into senior living. Here’s a sneak peek into the vibrant activities they have to offer:-

·         Yoga & meditation

·         Art therapy

·         Walking clubs

·         Movie screenings

·         Music therapy

To know more, do check out our website and give us a visit. You can also find us on social media for regular updates.