The Essential Role of Family in Senior Living Communities
Family is essential, and that doesn’t stop when a loved one moves into an assisted living facility.
More than just stopping by to say hello, visits from family members can do a lot to help the senior feel better, stay healthy, and continue to live as independently as possible. Some of the ways family can help by visiting include the following.
Emotional Support
Visits from family often provide opportunities for emotional support. The move to senior living options can be traumatic, especially if the person is leaving a home they’ve lived in for years. They may feel stressed or worried about how they’ll live in the new place and what they’ll be able to do.
However, when they have their family visiting frequently, they can get the emotional support they need to settle into their new living arrangements and start to thrive. Be sure to talk to them about what they need and what can help them get settled.
Health Monitoring
Seniors often have trouble keeping up with all of their doctor’s appointments, medications, medical documents, and more. Family involvement can include monitoring their health and helping keep track of all health-related concerns, including organizing electronic health records so they’re easily accessible if needed.
This helps the senior to stay as healthy as possible and keep track of their health so they can be involved in the process.
Continued Routines
Routines are incredibly important for seniors, and family can be a big part of making sure their routines continue to be followed after the move. It can help keep them calm and comfortable, which can help to alleviate stress or anxiety in their lives.
It can also be important for helping them to increase their confidence, feel more independent, and feel better about the move to a senior living community.
Social Engagement
Socialization is incredibly important for seniors, as it helps to prevent them from feeling lonely or depressed. Visiting family members can join in a variety of activities with their loved ones to help them get used to the new home, meet new friends, and find new things they enjoy.
The activities can be a lot more fun when they have loved ones with them, and they may be more willing to try out new activities when they have a familiar face by their side. This may help them get used to doing more and find activities they’ll love even when the family isn’t visiting.
Help With Decisions
Decisions can be challenging for seniors, as they may not know what choice would be the best or what they need to know to make a decision. However, family members involved in their life will be able to help them make major and minor decisions, ensuring their best interest is kept in mind at all times.
This can help to reduce stress for seniors, as they may be worried about making the wrong decision or not being able to decide.
If you have a loved one moving into a senior living community, be sure to visit often and to ensure they are receiving the care they need. Your visits are essential for their success and can help them live a healthier life as they age. Talk to the community to learn more about how you can help your loved one after they move in.
