What to Expect Your First Week After Joining an Assisted Living Community

What to Expect Your First Week After Joining an Assisted Living Community

You and your loved one have made the decision to move into a top-quality assisted living community and now the day has arrived for mom to move into her new home. This is a major life step for her and an emotional moment, so it’s important to help her successfully adjust to her new lifestyle. Keep in mind that assisted living isn’t necessarily a bad or sad thing.  In fact, it can open a whole new door to new memories, friends and fun.

That said, the newness of the assisted living community environment can overwhelm seniors at first, so consider these suggestions and guidelines so that your loved one can make a successful transition and live happily ever after.

Find a Key Contact Person

The first week after joining assisted living communities is a time of learning where things are and how to get needed services. Make sure dad knows who his primary “go-to” person is when he has questions or needs assistance. This person varies depending upon the particular care community – it may be the care coordinator, the activity director, the community manager, or some other staff member.

Set Up Medication Management Procedures

One of the most important services at an assisted living community is staff assistance with medication management. During the first week, staff will likely want to sit down with mom and review medication. Family members should try to be there for these meetings, so that there are no questions or misconceptions about mom’s medication schedule.

Make it Familiar

When you’re moving your loved one, it’s really important that you help them to establish a familiar environment so the new living arrangements don’t seem too different. If dad has a favorite chair, move that into his apartment (even if it’s a little beat up and tired looking). Help arrange the main living area so it seems as much like the prior home as possible. Set up the TV in the same relationship to the couch and chairs, if at all possible. Arrange pictures on the walls in the same way as they were in the family home.

Encourage Interaction

Remember, everyone who lives in the assisted living community once made the same move that your loved one is making now. Encourage dad not to stay in his apartment, but rather to get out and talk to other residents of the community. Making friends will help the first week or two to go more smoothly.

Ask Questions

If mom is reluctant to ask for help or guidance, make sure you’re available that first week to stand in for her and get her questions answered. Encourage her to ask staff if she’s unsure about something, such as the meal schedule – staff are trained to help support new residents.

Participate in Activities

Joining in is a great way to meet other residents and have some fun too. Good assisted living communities offer a wide range of activities that are targeted especially for your loved one’s interest and abilities. Ask staff to provide your loved one with a calendar of activities.

With a bit of planning, you can help make your loved one’s first week in assisted living a positive experience. What tips would you suggest to help new residents make a successful transition?

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