Around 32% of people over 55 struggle with loneliness, according to the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Even with a thriving community by their side, nothing can quite alleviate the symptoms of loneliness like visits from loved ones.
Some people find it difficult to adjust to visiting hours and make the most of the situation, but we're here to help with that.
We've put together the top tips for visiting loved ones in assisted living communities to maximize your time and happiness. Find out more below!
One of the best resources when it comes to learning assisted living visiting policies is to stay in contact with the staff members. They'll have all of the information you need to figure out how to create a lengthy visit without violating any rules or hindering the smooth running of the community. They can keep you updated in case of any changes as well.
Depending on the situation, the staff might be able to help adjust visiting hours from time to time -- allowing visits outside of normal hours during emergencies or health scares.
The key is to communicate with the staff and accept their judgment. They are the ones with intimate knowledge of what is needed for the community to deliver the best care for every resident.
An easy method to help your family keep an expansive visiting schedule is to balance everyone's preferences for days and times.
It won't always be easy to accommodate everyone's needs and obligations, but having a general idea can make the process simpler to manage. If one member of the family can't do Mondays, perhaps another one can take up that day from time to time.
This can keep your loved one busy with a wealth of visits without causing too much stress for the family in general.
To make the process easier for everyone, why not create a visiting calendar? Family visits for seniors are a time to celebrate and get excited, so having it written on a calendar like a holiday can be a visual reminder for everyone.
It also gives you a chance to lay out the entire month and the visiting hours available to you. You can more easily find a good balance between visits and obligations, work, and other responsibilities.
Seniors can write in your visit time next to their favorite senior activities and outings so that they can tick away the days until the family comes together again.
Assisted living communities don't often enjoy a rush of sudden decisions. This means that it's better to plan visits and give staff notice well before the day arrives.
It gives the community a chance to prepare and adjust when necessary. It keeps the caretakers updated and allows them to make sure your visit happens without any problems or interruptions.
Planning makes the entire visitation process easier for everyone involved, so try to make it a habit as you continue adapting to visiting hours.
Sometimes it feels like a fun idea to indulge in senior community engagement during your visit. Although socialization is an important aspect of healthy living, it can't be done at the expense of resident privacy.
Asking others to join you and your family is a wonderful idea, but make sure to respect privacy at the same time.
If you're ever in doubt that you might cross a line, ask the staff on duty during your visit. They can inform you of the policies or even broach the topic with the other residents without causing disruption.
If you desire a visit with your loved one but the visiting hours don't align with other obligations, don't fret. There are other solutions than focusing solely on in-person visits.
Technology can help you stay connected without causing disruption. Your loved one can chat with you in the comfort of their senior apartments and you can keep your relationship going strong.
Whether you prefer regular phone calls or video calls to see each other's faces, technology can become a staple in your life that helps the adjustment to assisted living go more smoothly.
One of the best ways to spend a visit with your loved ones is to have a meal together. It's a naturally social time that lets everyone catch up while enjoying delicious and nutritious food.
Since meals are taken in a more public area of the community, it's also a good way to include other residents in the visit without getting in their way.
Your loved one could introduce you to the friends they've made during the transition to assisted living. You can all share meaningful time and learn more about one another.
It can often be difficult to know how long to stay during a visit. You want to spend as much time as possible, but health conditions and energy levels might dictate the duration of your stay. You'll need to keep these ideas in mind as you plan your visits.
If energy levels fluctuate a lot, try to pick a visiting day when your loved one hasn't done too much physical activity the day before. This can help ensure that they feel spry and present when you arrive for the visit.
This not only can make the visit more successful but it also can help your loved one stay engaged the entire time you're there.
When you join a senior community in New Holstein, WI, make sure to consider their visiting hours before committing. If their policies don't mesh with your needs for visits, then it's better to look elsewhere. Remember to find a balance between all of the necessary things a person needs to maintain happiness and health.
LakeHouse New Holstein has a wide variety of activities, projects, events, and outings happening all the time. We can work with you to ensure you get as much out of your visiting time as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our visiting policies to ensure a happy experience for everyone!