The Critical Role of Families in Selecting Assisted Living
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14% of Americans provide unpaid eldercare at some point in their lives.
No matter how much you love your parent or grandparent, this can be stressful. It can also put a huge strain on your relationship.
Luckily, choosing senior living communities can help you get back to normal! Read on to learn the role of family in making assisted living decisions.
The Role of Family Conversations in Choosing Senior Living
Though seven in ten seniors will require elder care at some point in their lives, 71% of older adults are reluctant to spend their golden years in an assisted living community.
One role of family members in choosing a senior living community is initiating communication about making the transition.
First, do some preliminary research about the best California senior living communities. Learn about:
- Levels of available care
- How care professionals create personally tailored care plans
- Social programs
- Resort-style apartments
- Well-appointed amenities
- Accessibility features that enhance resident's lifestyles
Print out some pictures of The Watermark by the Bay. Showing them to your loved one will help them understand that they're living in a community that looks like a resort. Cleanliness and attractive features are made obvious in images.
Schedule a time to sit down with your older loved one and share a meal with them. Tell them that you want to discuss choosing senior living so they aren't blindsided.
Have the conversation in person so they see you care enough to have a face-to-face discussion.
Communicating Effectively
During this important conversation, supportive family members should:
- Tell seniors why they think assisted living is necessary
- Discuss specific concerns they have about their senior loved one living alone
- Provide examples that showcase why living independently is a poor decision for their loved one
- Stress that you want them to make the transition because you care about them
Answer any questions your older loved one has about assisted living in Emeryville. Being open and honest means getting your points across well so everyone is on the same page.
Remaining Empathetic
Being compassionate and kind when making your case for senior living is a critical part of conversing with loved ones. Make sure to:
- Listen actively with visible signs that you hear what they're saying
- Validate their concerns and fears
- Answer questions kindly without getting frustrated
- Talk about the benefits of assisted living for seniors
- Encourage your loved one to give senior living more thought and schedule a series of future discussions
Providing family support for elderly loved ones makes the assisted living decision-making process more collaborative. Your loved one is more likely to remain open-minded and cooperate.
Supporting Loved Ones When Finding a Community
Encouraging seniors to schedule a tour of assisted living is a critical part of choosing the right community.
First, open up your laptop with your parent or grandparent next to you. Look at the website for top Emeryville, CA senior living options.
Browse community care options like independent and assisted living together. Read testimonials from current residents so seniors can see what their peers enjoy about the community lifestyle.
Look at floor plans to get seniors excited about both apartment and community amenities. Kick that excitement up a notch by browsing the calendar events and activities available in the community.
Once your senior loved one is open to the possibility, schedule a tour. This will give both new residents and families the chance to see what's included in the rent. Everyone can feel more secure and confident in the decision to pursue caregiver support in eldercare.
Ask Questions While Touring
Potential new residents should feel comfortable asking questions while on the tour. Voicing opinions and inquiring about services and amenities is critical to giving seniors a voice.
However, one big role of family members in choosing senior living is asking questions while touring.
Older loved ones may feel overwhelmed with both positive and negative emotions while seeing their potential new home. They also may want to soak it all in and forget to ask logistical questions.
Families should ask things like:
- What services do you provide to those in assisted living?
- Do you craft personally tailored care plans for each senior?
- How do you promote senior health and wellness?
- What calendar events and activities do you offer?
- How do you foster a nurturing and positive social environment?
- How much is the base rent for each floor plan?
- What services and amenities come with this base rent?
- Are there additional fees for other services and amenities?
- What do visits from family and friends look like?
Take notes so you can revisit the information you collect later. Tangible notes also make it easier to lay out the benefits of assisted living in one location.
Family Involvement in Senior Care: What to Expect
After choosing a California assisted living community, family members can help parents and grandparents move into their new home.
Box up personal items and carry them into your loved one's new apartment. Help them arrange them in a way that makes them feel at home.
Talk with care professionals about their daily schedule. This lets new residents know what to expect.
Make sure to schedule a time to visit soon! You want to visit your loved one regularly and spend time with them. This makes the transition easier and ensures that you can keep making memories.
Communicating About Care
Families and new residents create individual care plans together. Senior living communities do the following:
- Learn about the senior's needs
- Find out what new residents can do independently
- Ask families questions about what residents need
- Create a specific care plan for new residents
Families should get information about their loved one's progress as they adjust to the community. Make sure you know how care professionals plan to get in touch.
Find the Best Senior Community in Emeryville, CA
Now that you know the role of family in choosing senior care, it's time to start looking into great California assisted living options.
The Watermark by the Bay offers a wide range of social programs and wellness-oriented services. We also offer a multitude of floor plans and personalized care plans for each resident.
Our inclusive and welcoming community fosters a positive environment, so contact our team to schedule a tour of our beautiful community today.