Transitioning to Assisted Living
When a senior and their family are facing the possibility of transitioning to an assisted living community, there can be many reactions – both from the senior and from the various family members who care for the elderly person. If possible, giving the situation some time will help because with time, people can work through their emotions. If there is no time left and the senior needs assisted living right away, then the reactions may be more difficult to manage.
At Adult Care Advisors, we work to help families make the right senior care choices ahead of time – typically with the input from the senior. This way, when the time comes, everyone is better prepared for the move.
What are some of the possible reactions when transitioning to assisted living?
Anger – When a senior has been living independently and has to transition to assisted living, the individual may become angry. Anger is usually the result of hurt or fear, so it’s important to understand that the anger is about the situation. They can’t simply go for a walk without being questioned, for example. They can’t weed their garden, visit an old friend, or take a drive. They may demonstrate behaviors such as complaining, refusing to cooperate, criticizing others, etc.
Depression – Remember there may be some grieving and sadness associated with transitioning to assisted living – especially if the change has occurred suddenly or as a result of a traumatic event. They may retreat from social activities, become disinterested in eating or favorite hobbies; they may also refuse medical treatment if it is required.
Regression – Some seniors may find coping with the change intimidating and regress, that is, cease to do things for themselves that they are still capable of doing. They may become dependent on family or staff instead of making the effort to do things on their own.
When behavior changes are apparent, it helps to find out what is causing the difficulty and work through it with the senior to overcome it. In many cases, the changes are quite overwhelming and the transition can take time.
At Adult Care Advisors, we have experience helping families through this time of change as they strive to offer the support their senior needs.
Get in touch with our team of senior care experts today if you are troubled by your senior’s transition to assisted living. We’ll help you understand the reasons and find the support you need to make things better.