Facing Fears And Addressing Emotions in the Senior Living Decision

Making the transitionto community living is a weighty decision for seniors, caregivers, and family members alike.Whether the senior in your life is planning a move to anindependent living communityor you are preparing to move your loved one to a memory care community, the decision can bring feelings of fear and complex emotions.Common fears may include concerns about a loss of freedom and autonomy, the quality of care received, or feelings of loneliness.Others may worry about making friends, dining with others, or having concerns about boredom and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Fears about growing older and all that the aging process entails may also arise.The move itself can often be the initial source of fear.Therefore, it is crucial for the senior, caregivers, and family members to offer support andassurance,while prioritizing the seniors preferences.In this article, well guide this transition while addressing common fears associated with a move to senior living.Making The ChoiceMany factors play a part in the decision to movea tosenior living community.

This move will likely involve selling a long-time family home, downsizing old belongings, calculating monthly fees and who will pay them, and many other dilemmas.For some individuals,there may be healthcare needs involved, which createsanother layer of emotional complexity.With these components to consider,it can be tricky to knowwhich path to take.It might be helpful to make a list or two, such as a list of pros and cons or a checklist of to-do items once a decision hasbeen made.Ensuring the best quality of life for the senior making the move should always be the primary goal.Whether this goalis accomplishedby utilizing supportive care for a loved one who wants to stay athome,orbydownsizing to an independent living community with acontinuum of care,respecting your loved ones desires and preferences iskey.It can also be helpful to ask questions and do your research.Though terms like nursing home and senior living are often used interchangeably, they arenot the same thingandit isimportantto know what kind of community best suits your loved one.For example, if your loved one can generally manage on their own but needs assistance with getting dressed or managing medications, anassisted living communitymay be worth considering.Or, if your aging loved one wants to get acquainted with the option of senior living before committing to it,respite careor a trial stay can provide them a chance to experience thelifestyle,while providing caregivers time to recharge.Addressing Common FearsGrowing older can be intimidating, both for the person growing old and the people who love them, but knowing how to address some of the common fears around senior living and the aging process can help your loved one grow old with dignity and peace.Im afraid Ill lose my independence.A primary concern, particularly for seniorsthemselves, is the potential loss of autonomy and freedom.

While moving to a senior living community comes with change and may involve certain limitations, many seniors experiencegreater independenceonce they make the transition.It may sound contradictory, but in having everyday tasks from laundry to shoveling snow taken care of for them, seniors have more time and energy to devote to their desires and dreams.Exceptional senior living communities will anticipate this fear in advance and make conscious efforts to encourage and protect a seniors autonomy regardless of their life stage while keeping safety a priority.Im afraid my loved one wont receive the best care.Another common fear when making the senior living decision is thequality of care you or your loved one will receive.

There is no shortage of bad press highlighting the negative, harmful, or negligent practices of some senior care providers.Seniors and their families place a great deal of trust in an organization when making any senior living decision and should always remain vigilant when selecting the right option.As regulations can vary by state and by facility type, families should become familiar with the care offerings each community can provide.This fear can be alleviatedin partby asking thorough questions upfront, paying close attention to your loved ones health and well-being during visits, and listening to any concerns they express.

Examining community survey results, online reviews, word-of-mouth opinions, and consumer ratings from sites such asU.S.News and WorldReport,are allimportantsteps to determine the quality of a senior living community beyond first impressions.Pursuing a community with a relationship-centered culture can also help ensure a high quality of care, trusted partnerships, and peace of mind.Im afraid my loved one will be bored and wont make friends.Finally, seniors, their caregivers, and their families may fear the senior facing loneliness, boredom, or a loss of cherished relationships.

Inthinking ofsenior living communities, some may envision their loved one leading a quiet, isolated, inactive life.Thiscould not be further from the truth for todays typical senior living communities.Senior living offersan abundance ofopportunities for social connectionand active, independent living.Fun and engaging programs designed to promote overall well-being for the mind, body, and spirit appeal to residents interests and goals.A regular calendarpackedwithinterestingactivities, exciting trips, and entertainmentis always offered.Additionally, senior livingcommunities communal settingoffers a comfortable, welcoming environment where seniors can get to know their neighbors.Dining together during mealtimes and socializing during exercise are just twoof the manyexamples that stand out.If the senior living community is also a continuum community for seniors, your loved one can truly develop deep-rooted relationships while aging in the same place as their needs change.The Best Way to Address Your Fears? Try a Short-term Stay.Ultimately, a trial stay in any senior living community can help put fears at ease.A 60-day stay allows residents and their families to test the lifestyle of any community while getting to know staff, residents, and the overall culture.

Seniors have time to make friends and try out programs and other offerings, while families can see how the community addresses any challenges or concerns.If the emotional stress ofmaking a moveis overwhelming, considering ashort-term staymay be the perfect fit to ensure a successful transition.To further explore how a senior living community can help, reach out to a UMH senior care advisor today orschedule a tourto learn more.