Rarely is there a singular moment when a person shifts from feeling young and vibrant to old and struggling with even the most basic of everyday activities. This is often a slow roll or a casual transition. Something that builds over time, and is often something people fight with every ounce of their courage. The topic of elder care often comes up at these stages in life.
Eventually, though, you can’t fight it anymore. There are things you simply can’t do that had once been relatively simple and straightforward. There are challenges that become too much for you and you have to call on others for help. Whether it’s cutting the grass, cleaning up the leaves in the fall, taking out the garbage, or even going to a local grocery store, there may come a time when you or somebody you love is advancing in years, struggling with physical strength, health, and other factors, and needs some support.
There are several different types of elder care, including assisted living. If you have chosen assisted living, but perhaps did so reluctantly, or feel as though there are no other options to help you stay safe and healthy, it isn’t necessarily the elder care itself, but perhaps your perspective. Your outlook.
What does your outlook on elder care have to do with accepting change?
Everything. When a person is pessimistic, it becomes difficult for them to see the positives in almost anything. For example, if you wanted to remain in the same house you lived in for decades, but it is too big, you are too old, you have too many physical challenges, you may assume that moving is simply going to be horrible no matter where you head off to.
It could be an assisted living community, a smaller apartment, something more manageable, or even with family or friends. If you are dead set against moving, then every option is going to have a negative connotation.
That’s why sometimes you need to look at assisted living with a different perspective, a different lens.
How can seniors obtain this unique perspective?
When a person feels as though they are losing control of their life, losing freedom and independence, the thought of leaving their home and going to an assisted living community is often viewed negatively. Often, that’s because of misconceptions about what assisted living is and offers.
One of the most effective ways to improve your outlook on life and assisted living is to take advantage of respite care services. These are often short-term stays at a local assisted living community.
Every facility is different, but for those that do offer respite care options, you might be able to spend the evenings and nights there, being picked up and brought back home in the morning, a few days a week, or a couple of weeks at a time.
This allows you to see what the facility looks like from the inside, what the residents are like, what types of activities take place there, and how many of those current residents view life much more positively now that they have support and something going on all the time as opposed to being alone and struggling, waiting for a family member or friend to stop by and help when they can.
If you or an aging loved one is considering a move to an Assisted Living Facility for Elder Care Services in Marietta GA please contact the caring staff at Woodland Ridge today. 770-431-7055
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