Assisted Living: How to Help Your Aging Parent Make a Successful Transition

Moving into an assisted living facility involves major changes in an elderly person’s life. Once you and your aging parents have decided that moving to an assisted living facility is the best choice for them, it is important to fully understand the changes involved with helping your parent feel comfortable in their new home. In order for the transition to be successful, the senior’s family and/or caregiver, their doctor and the assisted living staff should work as a team. Peter Hendrickson, executive director at Terracina Grand in Naples, Florida, offered valuable expertise in creating a smooth and successful transition.

The role of the new resident in adjusting

When elders move into an assisted living facility, the lack of familiarity with both the environment and the other residents can be quite intimidating. According to Hendrickson, adjustment can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. It is crucial during this time period that your aging parent takes all possible measures to adjust to their new home. Here are a few things seniors can do:

• Keep an open mind
  This is absolutely imperative. Since the move into assisted living requires change and adjustment, seniors are more likely to adapt well if they understand and prepare for this.
• Socialize
  There is nothing worse than for a new resident to be holed up in their apartment all day long. When moving into a new place, making acquaintances and friends can make all the difference in the world; it can help make a new house feel like a home.
• Ask questions
  With all of the changes involved, new residents should ask the staff any questions that come to mind. If they are unsure about something, they should ask the staff – that’s why they are there!