Believe it or not, it’s normal for somebody to feel anxious when moving to a new place. Even if this is a move you have been looking forward to for years, a dream come true, there is going to be some level of anxiety associated with it. However, when it’s for an aging senior moving into assisted living for senior care, perhaps a place they never imagined they would go in their life, anxiety can follow them and linger for days, weeks, or even months. When this is your aging parent, such as your mother, you might worry that you made a mistake, that she isn’t happy there and just won’t settle in properly.
There are several things you can do to help both her and yourself deal with this difficult transition and the common anxiety that often comes along with moving into assisted living for senior care.
First, talk as often as you can.
Let us preface this by saying you don’t want to call all the time. When we say, “talk as often as you can,” it simply means talk every day, if possible. It doesn’t have to be just in the morning or only in the evening, but whenever is most convenient for both of you, call her or him and have a conversation.
It doesn’t have to be a long conversation. It can just be a few minutes, checking in on her, asking what she did, and how things are going. That simple connection is going to mean worlds to her as she navigates these days and this new living environment.
Second, avoid calling all day long or stopping by.
As we mentioned, you don’t want to call all the time. One of the key issues is that an aging senior will tend to sit in his or her room waiting for the phone call or for the front desk to announce a visitor. If they do that, they won’t be getting out to explore the area, the grounds, or even meeting other people in the residence.
Limit yourself reasonably. But don’t separate yourself so much that this senior suddenly feels abandoned, forgotten, and neglected by family.
Third, encourage other family or friends to call or make visits.
You may be an incredibly busy person juggling a host of responsibilities, but if you were the primary family caregiver for a while, it would be a good idea for you to encourage other family members — whether it’s your siblings, grandchildren, cousins, your aunt or uncle, and so forth — or friends of this senior to call or make plans to visit.
The more connection the senior has to people important in their life, the easier it’s going to be for them to settle into this new living environment.
Fourth, ask specific questions and listen to the responses.
Ask your mother how she’s doing. Ask what concerns, doubts, or fears she may have about this new living situation. When she does start talking and answering those questions, don’t try to explain things away, justify, or even talk over her. Simply just listen.
Sometimes, people just want to know that others are listening to them, that they hear them, that they are not just being pawned off somewhere else.
You can ask about certain activities, what she did during the day, and if she made new friends or connected with somebody she hadn’t seen in a long time. Again, when she does start talking, make sure you spend time listening actively.
Fifth, talk to the staff at the assisted living community.
Senior care professionals will be tuned in and experienced with anxiety and difficulties with transition in life. Speak to them. Talk about your concerns. Tell the senior care team what you are most worried about with your elderly mother.
Senior care professionals will likely assuage your concerns, your doubts, and your own fears and help you and your mother adapt to this new living situation better.
If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Senior Care Services in Vinings GA, please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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