A change of environment can be very difficult for your aging loved one. If you know that an assisted living community is a necessity for your loved one, you need to understand how to help them handle the stress. Leaving your family and the community you’ve always known can be hard without emotional support.
Aging adults need to have the support of their families during the transition into a new community. The immediate family can be the best source of emotional support. If your loved one lacks the needed support to handle stress syndrome they are vulnerable to psychological stress and worse. If your loved one has a seamless move-in experience, they would enjoy their stay better.
Acknowledge Your Loved One’s Consent to Move
The phase of trying to get your loved ones to agree to move into a new community can be overwhelming. It is a step in the right direction that they are open to the idea of moving into a new community. You need to understand that some families never made it past this stage. Now that they are open to the whole process and involved in moving, it is going to be a lot easier for everyone.
Let them know how much you appreciate their decision to help get them the needed care, and that you are there to support them. Also, let them know how strong they are, to have been able to make such a life-changing decision. Acknowledging the consent of your loved one would strengthen their minds to see it through. Let them know that you’ll be with them throughout the process if they need anything.
Take Breaks in the Process
In your plan to help your loved one to transition without stress, you should set dates for relaxation. Invite them over to your house to have dinner with your family. Regular breaks are crucial because relocation stress syndrome can present itself in various forms. It could come in the form of anger, loneliness, and confusion. You want to avoid confusion by all means especially if your loved one suffers from dementia.
Rushing the process does not help your loved one deal with the stress. On other occasions, they can take a break by going to see a movie with friends.
Arrange Their New Apartment Similarly to The Old One
This is a simple process of recreating what they have always loved. Their old apartment style is an environment where they could relax effectively in the past. Going forward it would help them settle in quickly if their new apartment in the retirement community has some elements of the old one.
Arrange photographs near their bedside, like they used to be. This is a major tip for you because they feel at home quickly. Recreating memories plays a vital role in relieving stress.
Encourage Them to Make the Most of Their Stay
Every moment counts, thus they should make the most of their stay in the personal care community. Encourage them to interact with their neighbors to form new bonds.
Take them on regular tours of the community, so that they can appreciate their new community. It is important to ensure that they are not lonely. Loneliness leads to isolation which is detrimental to their mental health.
