Over the course of our ever changing lives, we move approximately 3 to 5 times due to the circumstances that arise. These moves are based on our need to accommodate things at specific times in our life. So what pushes us to make this move? We may be starting a family, relocating for work, or settling down to retire. For assisted living, we expect residents to move into our community when they themselves or their family caregiver can no longer complete everyday living tasks. Not only are these tasks more difficult to achieve but seniors who live at home can experience isolation while developing a sense of loneliness and boredom.
Seniors who live in the home they have owned for most of their life can be the most hesitant to make such an adjustment to an assisted living community. Not only are they giving up their house but the memories that were built there as well. However, as they get older, they no longer require the extra space and sometimes simply walking up and down the staircase is too difficult. It may even be hard to get up from a chair or cook food. They aren’t as active as they used to be and can no longer complete errands or house cleaning. These changes can be challenging to accept and eventually they are relying on family members or neighbors for assistance. At this point, the children have moved on and have homes and families of their own to care for. The seniors’ friends may have passed on or live at assisted living communities. Soon the big house gets lonely and the senior begins to feel isolated and nervous about each coming day. This is where assisted living comes into play.
It is thanks to assisted living communities that seniors receive quality care in all areas of daily living. The resident no longer worries about a house to maintain, food to cook, or medication to track. They begin to experience a social atmosphere and soon enough their isolation and stress begin to fade. Their quality of life increases due to the change in care and overall living conditions. Kent Mulkley wrote an article titled, They Still Want to Stay at Home. How Can You Change That? He wrote a variety of questions to get people talking about themselves and begin to get down to the significant issues they are facing. He mentions that he has asked his mother these questions and it got her thinking about her situation and moving.
“Key Questions to Ask :
- How do you imagine your life would be better by moving to a senior community?
- How are things working for you at home?
- What do you like about being in your home?
- What would you be giving up by moving here?
- What do you imagine life would be like if you stayed in your home another year or two?
- On a scale of 1-10, how important is it for you to make this change?
- Would you be able to achieve what you want (alignment with values) by staying in your home?
- How do you think your life would be different if you didn’t have to deal with your health challenges all by yourself?
- How would you like your life to be different from what it is today?”
We hope this information will shed light on the situation that your friends or parents face as they begin the stage of assisted care.
For more information on our community, call, email, or visit our website.
