Making a move to assisted living will always be a milestone in one’s life. It’s not that you can move in then move out any time you want to, especially if there’s no compelling or emergency reason for you to do so. Moreover, according to the statistics, most seniors that decide to enter senior citizen assisted living are far less likely to revert to their previous living setups
In short, for many, it’s a permanent move. That fact alone underscores the significant weight of the decision that they need to make. Not surprisingly, it only contributes to the fear and anxiety that older adults feel when faced with the prospect of transition.
If you count yourself among them, please take the time to read the pointers we have shared here, so you can finally dispel any lingering fears and second thoughts you may have when making your decision.
Identify the True Sources of Your Fear
What is it that’s truly holding you back? Without a doubt, there are many factors that you’re weighing in your mind. You wouldn’t be here otherwise. According to studies and the present state of assisted living, the following are the top reasons why seniors prefer to stay in their homes instead of transitioning to assisted living:
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Anxiety over something new and unknown
It’s natural for almost any of us to hesitate if we’re going to experience something new or unknown. In the case of assisted living, it’s a complete 180-degree change for a lot of seniors. Routines will need to be changed, and the people with whom you interact daily will be complete strangers to you the moment you become a part of the community.
This anxiety stems a lot from instances when seniors aren’t prepared beforehand as to what they should expect or what the average assisted living setup is like.
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Possible loss of freedom and independence
Some seniors make the false assumption that someone or the community itself will start taking control of their everyday lives, to the point that they lose all semblance of being independent. Again, this goes back to a lack of awareness of what senior assisted living is really all about.
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Fear of getting COVID-19
It’s totally natural to feel scared of moving into a place where there are plenty of people, especially in the face of the pandemic. You can never really be 100% sure that infection within the community will not occur. Also, how does the community maintain social distancing and enforce other preventive measures?
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Emotional ties to loved ones and the family home
Once you transition to senior assisted living near me, you won’t be waking up every day to freely talk face-to-face with your family. That’s when the dread of loneliness sets in.
Also, most of us can’t help but agree with the adage, “there’s no place like home”. You form a sentimental bond with it, one way or another, which can be hard to sever, especially if you’ve resided in it your whole life.
There may be other factors out there holding seniors back, like budget issues or not wanting any of the amenities and services being offered. However, the four factors listed above are often the most prevalent causes of the said fear of transitioning. However, the four factors listed above are often the most prevalent causes of the said fear of transitioning. However, the four factors listed above are often the most prevalent causes of the said fear of transitioning.
How Can You Overcome These Fears or Help a Senior Loved One Do So?
Once you’re aware of the exact sources of your fear, you only need to tackle each one head-on with logic and reasoning. After all, most of the time, these fears are unfounded and stem solely from a lack of knowledge about assisted living. The best strategy to overcome them is to simply acknowledge that they are no less than that and see that assisted living often always is the better option.
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Prioritize dispelling misconceptions about assisted living.
If you’re worried about losing your independence, for instance, you should go ahead and ask the community managers about it from the start. Will you be able to have complete control over the privacy and freedom you can enjoy while residing in the community?
- Most communities are transparent when it comes to their caregiving philosophies, so take the time to know them.
- The same goes for what their COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions are and how they uphold them for the entire community.
- Realize that most communities make every effort possible to keep the connection between seniors and their families alive through open communication mediums. Some even encourage families to visit regularly and take part in activities and events.
The point is to gain as much information about the community as possible, especially if you don’t have the option of a trial period like the second point below.
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Consider respite care services first.
Respite care is rendered to help the caregiver take a much-needed break while making sure that the. Once you decide to undergo respite care, you will be asked to spend the entire duration that you’re going to receive it in a senior living community. You’ll be able to enjoy the privilege of being one of its seniors, enjoying all the amenities and services.
This way, you’ll basically be getting a “trial” of the genuine assisted living experience without making a permanent move yet. There’s no better way to gain first-hand experience of a Madison assisted living community than this.
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Know whether the community and its seniors are suited to you personally and socially.
To combat the fear of loneliness, it’s better to take the initiative and know beforehand the kinds of people you’ll be interacting with within the community. Be on the lookout for those with whom you’ll know you won’t have a hard time forming social connections. Again, this highlights the importance of undergoing respite care first, so you can truly get a feel of the entire community.
Conclusion
Essentially, correct information dispensation and education are the most important keys to helping seniors overcome their fear of senior assisted living communities near me. Always remember that many seniors regret not moving into senior living sooner. Most of them, upon looking back, agreed that they gave in to their fears, which are mostly unfounded.
