(443) 745-6115Moving can be stressful for anyone, but moving from a place of independence to a place of assisted living can be especially hard. If you’re looking for ways to help your loved one adjust to an assisted living residence, here are some tips you can follow:
Decorate Their Space
This is a very important step to making your loved one’s room feel like their own home. Decorate the room with pictures of friends and family, important trinkets, and cherished items. Some things that are less commonly thought of when decorating the room is your loved one’s favorite blankets, books, and pillows. Ideally, make sure the room is decorated the way your loved one wants it to be decorated. Make sure that they’re involved throughout the entire decoration process since they’re the ones who will be living there.
Encourage Them to Socialize
Encourage your loved one to get involved in interest groups and/or daily activities that they will enjoy. Some activities for them to consider participating in are:
- Crafts
- Swimming classes
- Chess
- Book group
- Yoga
Check with your assisted living facility to see what activities they offer. Getting your aging loved one to socialize with people means that they are more likely to be surrounded by other seniors who share similar interests. A sense of community and newfound friendships will make the transition easier.
Share a Positive Attitude
Your attitude towards your loved one’s transition can make a great difference in how they look at the move. It’s normal for them to feel anxious, so find a way to acknowledge their worries while also encouraging them to look at all the positive things their new assisted living residence has to offer. One helpful way to help them settle into their new environment is to start referring to the residence as “home”. This subtle change in wording can make a big difference in how your loved one perceives their new residence.
Visit Them Often
This is another very crucial step to making your loved one feel at home in their assisted living residence. Moving is an emotional roller coaster, so make sure that you visit your loved one often to provide them with the familiar faces that they’re used to. It can help seniors adjust to their environment, as well as let them know how much you love and care for them.
Your Resource for Compassionate Care & Assisted Living
If you’re looking for a great assisted living residence and care facility that will make it easy for your aging loved one to feel at home, Kenwood Care is your best option! We offer comfortable, stress-free assisted living in Fulton, MD, and we also have locations in Laurel and Dayton. Contact us today to get started!
