facilities for Alzheimer's

5 Tips that Ease the Transition to Assisted Living

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The decision to move a loved one to an assisted living community is never easy. While you don’t want them to be far away, you know that assisted living is the best place for them because they will have someone to attend to their needs and help them maintain their quality of life during their senior years.

 

 

But if it’s difficult for you, it is more difficult for the person who’s moving into an assisted living facility because it is a big step away from their comfort zone. To help ease the transition to assisted living, here are five tips that you can follow:

 

 

 

Work with a Team

 

You will need all the help that you can get during this time, so get everyone on board. Contact family members loved ones and even friends and delegate tasks to them—from visiting potential assisted care living facilities near you to packing things and doing groceries.

 

 

 

Give your Loved One some Time to Pack

 

Packing can be very emotional for a loved one moving into assisted living because it brings back a lot of memories. So, make sure that you give your loved one some time to go through their things, reminisce and choose which ones to take with them to their new home. Listen to stories, address concerns and be patient as they pack. Be as supportive as you can and stay respectful at all times to not cause any stress to your loved one.

 

 

 

Involve your loved one in the Decision-Making Process

 

Loss of independence is one of the biggest worries of seniors moving into assisted living facilities. So, make sure that you involve your loved one in the decision-making process regarding their care. Look at facilities together, ask for feedback, talk about your patient’s concerns and always inform them of any decisions.

 

 

 

Bring a Piece of Home into the Facility

 

Moving to a new place can be very difficult for elderly people because they tend to be attached to their belongings. To make the transition easier, you can bring items from their old home to the assisted living facility so they can still feel at home.

 

 

You can even recreate their bedroom using accessories that were part of their room for many years. Make sure to include photographs, books, and candles that they love for that extra homey feel.

 

 

 

Be Present

 

During the first few days of staying in the assisted living facility, your loved one may feel that he has been abandoned. To make them feel secure, try to visit as often as possible and while you’re there, find activities that you can do with your loved one.

 

 

It could be as simple as working on a puzzle or starting a workout routine together. Being present makes your loved one feel more secure knowing that he is not forgotten and will always be loved by you.

 

 

 

Are you ready to finally take that step to move your loved one into the best place for them to enjoy their senior years?

 

 

 

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

assisted living with memory care

Senior Living with Memory Care: Everything You Need to Know

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The numbers say it all: 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease today and by 2050, it is expected to reach nearly 14 million. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States alone and it continues to debilitate many Americans every day. And since it is a progressive disease with no cure, those who are affected by it need special care at all times, especially those who are in their senior years.

 

 

Assisted living with memory care is one of the ways that communities can offer supportive care to patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Here, caregivers are available at all times to cater to the needs of the patients while providing them with a secure environment to continue their quality of living.

 

 

These are some things you need to know about memory care:

 

Differences between Assisted Living and Memory Care

 

Although closely related, assisted living and memory care facilities have a few differences. For one, memory care units are designed with the needs of Alzheimer’s patients in mind. Unlike assisted living units, memory care units don’t typically have individual kitchens. They also have extra security features to protect dementia patients from wandering off and getting lost. Memory care units are also designed to be as relaxing as possible to keep patients from being confused and stressed.

 

 

Caregivers in memory care are also highly trained to understand Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Aside from assisting them in their activities of daily living, caregivers also know how to respond to disruptive behavior manifested by dementia patients and how to communicate with them effectively.

 

 

 

Benefits of Memory Care

 

Having a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be very stressful for families. So, knowing that there are memory care units that offer specialized care for these patients brings peace of mind and a sense of security. Memory care is more than just having a place where seniors can live peacefully. It covers every aspect of a patient’s way of life where caregivers are available 24/7 to assist in activities of daily living as well as enhance a patient’s physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing.

 

 

While memory care units are more focused on security, patients will never feel like they’re locked up or secluded because these units have plenty of living spaces that are comfortable and homey. Patients can also enjoy the outdoors through activities that help them stay social in their own community.

 

 

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia may not have a cure, but it doesn’t mean that your loved one can’t enjoy the rest of his life. With the help of memory care units and their skilled staff, patients suffering from these debilitating diseases can still perform their daily activities, enjoy a good living environment and socialize with other people within their community.

 

 

 

Of course, you can’t forget about giving them the support they need by making sure that you visit them often and assure them that they have a family who loves them enough to let them enjoy a good life even in their senior years.

 

 

 

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco