6 Tips for Settling into an Assisted Living Community
Transitioning to an assisted living community can be daunting after living in your own home. However, there are some excellent and very beneficial things you can do to help you settle into your new home and enjoy the opportunities it affords.
Following recommended tips and guidelines can help ease worries and anxieties while gaining confidence in your new surroundings.
Best Tips for Acclimating to Assisted Living
Adjusting to assisted living isn’t an immediate, seamless transition, so it’s important to be patient and give yourself time to adjust. To make the most of your days in your new home, keep the following tips in mind:
1. Make It a Point to Get to Know Staff and Caregivers
Caregivers will be abuzz regarding your care plan, and you’ll likely meet fitness staff members, social directors, dining personnel, and others who lead your new community. While they will certainly make it a point to get to know you, it would ease your transition if you returned the gesture.
2. Become Acquainted with Your Neighbors
You’re always encouraged to meet your neighbors, whether they live right next door to you, down the hall, or anywhere on your floor. Every person you meet could become a good friend, so introduce yourself to as many folks as possible. If you’re nervous about this, remember that they, too, were once new to the community!
3. Don’t Shy Away from Community Events
It can be difficult during the first few weeks to get out there and get involved, but it’s imperative that you do. These activities and events are one of your community's biggest benefits, and they offer you a golden opportunity to get to know other people and learn what’s available to you.
4. Get Involved
Find out what kind of clubs, groups, and associations are active in your community; most have groups focused on specific values, interests, or hobbies. This might be anything from gardening, reading, or playing cards to resident council groups or Bible study clubs.
5. Head to the Dining Room for Meals
Don’t withdraw to your room and stay there for meals because mealtime is undoubtedly one of the highlights of everyone’s day! Dine with staff members and other residents every chance you get, schedule your meals with your neighbors, and make it a point to connect with others over a delicious meal.
6. Get Out There and Have a Good Time
Just because you live in an assisted living community doesn’t mean that your outside life gets tossed away! In fact, you might find that you have more opportunities than ever to catch a bus to the mall, a restaurant, a park, or a night out on the town!
You deserve every happiness while you become acclimated to your new home in your assisted living community. The best thing you can do is to take every opportunity to meet others and stay busy with all the fun activities that come your way!
MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Portland has to offer.