Moving to an assisted living facility can be a very positive decision for older adults as they shift towards a new chapter in their lives. Approximately 800,000 adults currently reside in an assisted living community.[1] When loved ones make the move, it’s vital that family play an active role in their everyday lives. From maintaining communication to being aware of the care plan, the role of family in assisted living is essential for residents to thrive in their environments. Read on to learn more about the importance of family and how you can remain engaged in your loved one’s care in their new homes. We’ll also share the assisted living options Encore Communities provide in the Washington area.
How Family Can Stay Involved in Assisted Living
Visit Regularly
Visiting your loved one regularly, if possible, allows you to spend quality time together and keep up to date on what is going on in the facility. Having a regular presence shows your loved one that you want to provide an opportunity for companionship. It allows you to familiarize yourself with the staff at the assisted living facility. As you get to know the staff, you can form relationships with them, enabling you to stay in touch with what is happening.
By visiting regularly, your loved one can also share the many daily activities that assisted living offers. There may also be some that you can do together during your visit. This allows you to spend time with your loved one and pick up on any health issues as they arise.
Stay in Touch
If distance is an issue, families can stay in touch using various forms of technology. FaceTime or other video conferencing options such as Zoom can help families stay connected with the staff at the assisted living facility. Using this technology, family members can speak to the staff about their loved one’s care and address any issues they may have. It also allows them to see their loved ones and how they are doing in their new living environment.
Advocate for a Loved One’s Needs
When your loved one moves into an assisted living facility, they still need someone to advocate for their needs. Stay informed with the staff about their care plan and what is happening within the community to ensure your loved one’s voice is heard. When your loved one knows that you are advocating for them, they can feel safe within their living space.
Appoint a Family Liaison
Having one family member act as a Liaison with the assisted living directors is essential. This prevents confusion about who should receive information and make decisions and who should be contacted in an emergency. Having one family member in charge of communication also allows that person to form a relationship with the staff.
Attend Care Meetings
Attend care meetings for your loved one. This lets the staff know you are active in your loved one’s life and want to participate in any decision-making. It also lets you stay in the loop about what is happening with your loved one in case they forget to mention particular details.
Keep Loved Ones Involved in Family Events
Although your loved one lives at an assisted living facility, they can still be a part of family events! Help them to stay connected so that they know they are still a part of the family. This also shows the staff that you are active in your loved one’s life and will be there for them.
Assisted Living Opportunities with Encore Communities
If your loved one is seeking assisted living opportunities, Encore Communities can help. We provide assisted living in Silverdale and Shoreline, WA.
Our Clearbrook Inn location in Silverdale, WA, allows residents to live as independently as possible while receiving customized care. Studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments are available. Each living option includes three nutritious meals and snacks, a walk-in shower, weekly linen service, housekeeping, and much more.
Our Laurel Cove Community in Shoreline, WA, offers studio and one-bedroom apartments for assisted living residents. Each includes weekly housekeeping, regular wellness checks, and daily social activities. Each location is staffed with professionals who are there for your loved one. We assess each resident’s needs to ensure they receive the proper care. When you choose Encore Communities for assisted living for your loved one, you can feel confident they will be in a safe environment.
Call us today or reach out to us online to learn more about our senior assisted living options and to schedule a tour.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ahcancal.org/Assisted-Living/Facts-and-Figures/Pages/default.aspx#
Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.
