If you’re a senior, aging in place in an independent living setting is probably your ideal choice for your future. However, you or a loved one may find yourself in a situation where you need help with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, or preparing meals.
In this scenario, it’s wise to at least consider transitioning from independent living to assisted living, whether that involves moving from your own home or within a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). The initial thought of assisted living could be disconcerting to you or your loved one, and that’s perfectly normal.
Change can be especially difficult for seniors. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of strategies to help you or your loved one stay positive and enjoy the transition to assisted living.
Remember That You’re Not Alone
You might feel reserved about transitioning to assisted living. Or, you might feel grateful to be receiving the extra help that assisted living provides.
Whatever thoughts you’re having, realizing that you’re not the only one having them can be a step in the right direction.
One of the best things you can do is talk about it. Talk to your family members and communicate how you feel. Talk to your same-age peers or relatives and ask them how they’ve coped with these kinds of feelings. Contact your senior living community and see if they have any counseling services to help you work through any concerns you have.
Take One Day at a Time
One of the hardest things to come to terms with before any transition is the realization that things will not be the same as they were before. Just like any change, it takes time to get used to a new normal.
The best thing you can do for yourself while adjusting is to take one day at a time. Find the joy in each day, work through challenges a little bit at a time, and limit the scope of your thoughts to the here and now.
If you do this, you will find that each day will be a little easier than the last, and before you know it, you’ll be in a healthy routine.
Find our tips for making assisted living feel like home here >>
Focus on the Positive
Focus on the positive outcomes that will result from your transition to assisted living.
Make a list of the benefits of assisted living so you can see it all in front of you. It could look something like this:
- I’ll be in the safest environment possible
- I’ll have access to help whenever I need it
- My family won’t have to worry so much about me
- I won’t be burdened by things like laundry, housekeeping, or home maintenance
- I won’t be living alone
You’ll likely find that the positives outweigh the perceived negatives. You probably already thought about these things before you or your loved one decided to transition to assisted living, so stick by them and remember why you made this decision in the first place.
Assisted Living at Otterbein SeniorLife
We know assisted living is different for everybody, and at Otterbein SeniorLife, our assisted living services range from minimal support to concentrated services for specialized needs. Our health care professionals work with you to customize a plan.
Together, you’ll determine how much or how little assistance you need each day.