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Can Assisted Living Really Feel Like Home?

Mom keeps saying she doesn’t want to leave her house. But you’ve seen the brochures, looked at some websites, and maybe even stopped by for a tour: You know that many assisted living communities have beautiful furnishings, modern amenities, and gorgeous grounds.

So you convince her that assisted living can feel like home — “Look at that spacious living room! Don’t those countertops look nice?” But what if you’re wrong? And what if she moves in and then hates it?

What Makes a Place a Home?

It’s true: Wall-to-wall carpeting and custom window blinds do not a home make. Pliny the Elder, aka Gaius Plinius Secundus, says, “Home is where the heart is.” For Robert Frost, “Home is the place that, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”

Experts say home is the place where you can feel safe, an environment where you can be free to be yourself, an emotional haven where you can feel comfortable and at peace. Two of the most critical factors for whether a place feels like home are the other people there and the comforts of home.

The Other People

More than 12 million Americans over age 65 live alone, and nearly 70 percent of those older adults are women. Many seniors who live alone struggle with feelings of loneliness, isolation, and a lack of regular companionship. One study found 43 percent of surveyed older adults felt lonely, and another revealed that 60 percent reported feeling a lack of companionship and 41 percent reported feeling isolated.

Doesn’t sound very homey, right?

At the core of any person lies a need for purpose and belonging. Think about your mom or dad, who probably retired years ago and no longer has a family to care for. Their sense of purpose can diminish, and it’s easy for them to feel as if they aren’t needed anymore.

An assisted living community can provide a sense of belonging and give them social purpose. Having someone nearby who can identify with, empathize with, and even laugh at shared struggles helps older adults stay positive. Residents often gather for conversation and programs in the lively community areas — pubs, living rooms, libraries, beauty salons, private dining rooms, and sunrooms — and enjoy the companionship of neighbors, friends, and family.

And it’s not just the other residents who contribute to this sense of home. Staff members are trained to build a sense of community and empower residents to be themselves and will grow to know your loved one’s needs and wants — and even some of their quirks.

That’s what home is, right? A place where you don’t care what others think of you because you know most of the people around you either think the same or you know they will be accepting of your differences.

The Comforts of Home

Another critical aspect of feeling at home is the comforts of home: A place where you can safely sleep. A place where you can store keepsakes. A place where you can entertain guests. Sometimes it’s daily activities like cooking and participating in hobbies, such as reading, scrapbooking, or knitting, that make a place comfortable and homey.

Assisted living is designed to provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the life they choose. If your mom loves cooking, she can make breakfast, lunch, and dinner in her assisted living home. If your dad loves having his old golf buddies over to watch the Masters, he can invite them to watch in his spacious living room or in the community’s movie theater. If your great-aunt has a collection of Precious Moments dolls, she can display them around her home.

And that’s what home feels like, too: A place where you can be yourself, where you don’t have to hide who you are or pretend to be someone you’re not, where you can live in jeans and a T-shirt or get dressed to the nines for supper.

Who knows, assisted living might even start to feel more like home than that big empty house they were living in.

Tips for Making Assisted Living Feel Like Home

Not only do assisted living communities make the building feel like home, but they encourage residents to bring whatever furnishings will make them feel even more comfortable in their new home.

Here are a few simple tips to help a loved one feel more at peace with the idea of the move and ease into their new home.

1. Call It Home

Language and approach are important, so stop calling it an assisted living unit or an apartment.

There’s no better way to make assisted living feel like home than to call it home — remember, it is a mental transition, not just a physical one — so start referring to the new residence as home.

2. Make Social Connections

You don’t have to wait until move-in day to start making social connections with other residents. Take your loved one to visit frequently before the move to allow you both to get acquainted with the staff, meet other residents, and become familiar with the schedule. Stop by for lunch or participate in an activity. This will help your loved one feel knowledgeable and prepared for their new home.

3. Be Patient

Moving away from a familiar environment can seem daunting to your aging loved one. Empathize with them as they grieve the loss of their old home, and be patient as they adjust to the idea of their new home. These feelings of sadness your parent might be experiencing usually go away with a bit of time. The best thing you can do is show support as your loved one gets used to their new home.

Be patient and compassionate with yourself, too. Moving a loved one to assisted living doesn’t mean that you’ve failed to take care of them. It means you’re making a smart decision to get them the level of care they need. Assisted living really is a place where you can feel at home and be treated like family.

Have more questions about what assisted living is really like? Download our eBook to learn about the ways assisted living has changed over the years, what a typical day in assisted living looks like today, and the staff you’ll usually meet in assisted living facilities.

 

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This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-How to Choose the Right Assisted Living Community: What You Need to Know Before You Begin Your SearchHave you decided that assisted living is the best option for your elderly parent, and now are feeling overwhelmed on how to begin your search for the right community?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Costs and AffordabilityAre you considering assisted living for yourself or a loved one but are hesitant about the cost? Assisted living costs, services and amenities vary greatly among the last and most expensive communities, and costs are higher in some states than others.

This guide will answer questions you may have about the costs of assisted living and recommend resources to help you pay for it.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

Often, many adult children avoid bringing it up because it can be a sensitive topic.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This guide will provide you with skills and knowledge on how to handle difficult behaviors your aging parent may be experiencing.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

There are many questions to answer before making the decision to take care of a loved one.

This guide will provide answers to questions you may have on this topic.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

How can you help? In this guide, you will be provided with answers to the difficult questions you may have about depression.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

This guide will provide you with resources and tools on how to identify depression, what are the common causes of depression, and how to promote mental health in your aging loved one.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Does your loved one need more support than what they are getting? Would they benefit from some assistance with daily activities?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Why We Chose the Arbors Assisted Living and Memory Care: A Collection of Stories from Residents Living at The ArborsWhere do you start searching for assisted living or memory care communities?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-7 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make the Move to Assisted Living
Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.


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Guide-Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


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Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
If you do, then this guide is exactly what you need.


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