Easing the Transition into an Assisted Living Community in Georgia

Assisted living is much more than a form of senior care. In addition to these services, residents are provided with amenities and opportunities to participate in activities and socialize with peers.

While the transition from a private residence or an independent living community into an assisted senior living community can be challenging, it is a transition that can place your loved one in a better frame of mind and improve their overall health. The Oaks Senior Living assisted living communities have been designed for seniors who wish to maintain an energetic lifestyle but require additional help with the activities of daily living.

Proudly offering assisted living and memory care communities throughout Georgia, Oaks Senior Living understands that this transition may be an emotional time for your family. Our goal is to provide you with a better understanding of the transition to assisted senior living to make it a smooth experience for everyone involved.

The Benefits of Assisted Living

Assisted living communities in Georgia and beyond offer a type of lifestyle that can enhance an individual’s ability to maintain their independence. Residents lead fulfilling lives with a little extra support (and without the hassle of home maintenance or upkeep).

Socialization Opportunities and Sense of Community

Connecting with peers and forming meaningful relationships is part of a healthy, active lifestyle. We all need socialization and contact with friends and family and assisted living communities provide the opportunity to do just that.

The sense of community that assisted senior living provides can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, consequently reducing the risk of depression. Additionally, regular socialization has been shown to boost cognitive functioning and prevent decline.

Through regularly held activities and events within an assisted living community, residents have the convenience to socialize without having to leave home!

Regular socialization has been shown to boost cognitive functioning and prevent decline.

Safety and Peace of Mind

When your parent or relative lives on their own, assistance with the ADLs are likely restricted to times when either you or an at-home caregiver is available; however, the need for care cannot always be planned.

Assisted living communities in Georgia and throughout the country provide residents and their families peace of mind in knowing that a compassionate caregiver is ready and happy to help whenever the need for assistance arises.

Nutrition and Dining Services

We all know that what we eat has a direct relationship to our overall health and wellness. When your loved one lives alone, it can be easy for them to choose convenience over nutrition.

Nutrition and dining services within assisted living communities help ensure that your parent or relative gets the nutrition they need to stay active and healthy. Many senior living communities in Georgia, like Oaks Senior Living, offer these services and cater them to your loved one’s specific dietary and nutritional needs.

When is the Right Time?

Beyond understanding the benefits, how do you ease the transition into an assisted living community? The first step is to ask, “when is the right time?”

Answering this question is entirely situational; the right time for another family may not make sense for yours. However, if you notice the senior in your life is having difficulty completing routine tasks, it may be time to start the conversation. While a family caregiver may be a good short-term solution, as care needs change or additional attention is required, it may not be the best option in the long run.

If you are worried about a parent or loved one, you should inform them of your concerns and ask them what they think about a potential transition to assisted living. While some may be open to the idea, others may need more convincing before concluding.

At Oaks Senior Living, our approach to assisted living differs. We are proud to offer a “Person-Centered Lifestyle,” which satisfies the unique desires and needs of residents and encourages independence and personal choice to ensure all residents enjoy the highest quality of life possible.

Get Your Finances in Order

Once the decision to transition into an assisted senior living community has been made, it is important to figure out how to pay for these services as soon as possible. Luckily, there are different options available to you.

Private Pay

If you or the senior in your life has been planning and saving for senior living services, private pay, referring to income and savings, may be an option. This is the simplest way to pay for assisted living services, and most communities in Georgia accept this type of pay. However, it may benefit your family to look into other options.

Long-Term Care Insurance

If your parent or relative has a long-term care insurance policy, you may be able to use it to cover the costs of assisted living. Most policies include assisted living care but be sure to look at your loved one’s policy carefully.

Furthermore, this type of insurance is most affordable if it is purchased in early through middle-aged adulthood. If your loved one does not currently hold a long-term care insurance policy, it may not be a feasible option.

Medicaid

While restrictions and requirements vary, Medicaid can be used to pay for assisted living services in some cases. Be sure to look into your state’s guidelines to see if this option will work for your family’s long-term care needs.

Choosing the Right Community

A crucial part of transitioning to an assisted senior living community in Georgia is finding your loved one’s perfect community. You should ask your parent or loved one what they are looking for in a community.

• Close to family?
• Salon/barbershop on-site?
• Specific activity/group offered?

Taking this initial research time is essential, as communities have different approaches to care and amenities. You want to make sure you find a community that meets all of your loved one’s needs and preferences while providing the highest level of care possible.

Show Your Support

Moving can be hard; in fact, it’s listed as one of the top stressful events in life. Giving your loved one kind words of encouragement and support may help the transition. Acknowledge their feelings and talk openly and honestly about the upcoming transition.

One of the biggest concerns for residents of an assisted living community is maintaining their independence. It’s important to remind them of the benefits, as well as all the things they will still be able to do on their own.

Staying connected to your loved one reassures them that you are thinking about them and reminds them that their new home doesn’t change the relationships they have with their family and friends.

Take Advantage of the Community

Before the move, visit the assisted living community. Take advantage of the activities and events before the transition. By doing so, your parent or relative will get to know the team members and residents in the community and already have friends on moving day. This added level of familiarity and comfort will go a long way in easing the transition.

Encouraging your loved one to participate in community events and activities after the move may also help foster the feeling of a genuine community and allow them to experience the value of an assisted senior living community.

Personalize Their Space

While it can be difficult to downsize, especially if your parent or loved one is used to a large space, placing personal items around their senior apartment will make it feel like home. Family photos and mementos will be a constant reminder to your parent or loved one that, although they’re in a new space, the memories they’ve created will continue.

If you are seeking an assisted senior living community in Georgia, Oaks Senior Living provides every resident with care that is tailored toward their compatibility and choice to help foster a lasting partnership. We honor personal choice, create a sense of purpose, celebrate uniqueness and strengths, and enable meaningful relationships through engaging activities.

If you would like to schedule a tour of one of our communities, we invite you to discover which [gd_gFormLink text=”Oaks Senior Living community”] is perfect for your loved one!