How to Address 4 Common Fears Aging Parents Have About Senior Housing

 You love your parents, so it’s hard to see them worried, upset, or fearful. Unfortunately, this is the reality many adult children and caregivers face when they consider moving their parents to senior housing. 

Luckily, there are steps you can take to prepare your loved ones to move into assisted living facilities. Here are four common worries about senior housing and how you can gently address them: 

1. “My Family Will Forget About Me”

Many aging adults worry that moving into assisted living or other senior housing will cut them off from their loved ones. 

The best way to address this fear is with honesty and compassion. 

Acknowledge your parents’ fears with validating statements. You can say things like, “I understand your worries. I promise we will visit as often as possible.” 

Of course, it’s important to follow through on these promises. Your parents need to know that you are not abandoning them but giving them the best possible care. 

2. “I’ll Get Bored and Lonely”

Many elderly people struggle to keep up with friends and hobbies. Your parents might worry that moving into senior housing will seal the deal: They’ll be unoccupied for the rest of their days. 

However, assisted living facilities offer residents many activities, hobbies, and gatherings. There are plenty of opportunities for socializing and exploring their interests. 

You can ease your parents’ fears by taking them on a tour of the senior housing you are considering. Allow the residential staff to show them the wide array of activities and social opportunities they will have. 

3. “I Won’t Have Control Over My Life Anymore”

Sadly, many aging parents feel that moving into senior housing will remove their autonomy. 

Assisted living facilities are designed to give aging adults as many choices as possible. The goal is to assist seniors with daily tasks, not to control them. 

Your parents may benefit from looking at assisted living brochures and websites. Explain how they will be cared for each day while emphasizing the autonomy they get to keep. The staff will be there to help your parents, not limit them. 

4. “I’m Not Important Anymore; My Kids Are Getting Rid of Me”

A common worry among aging adults is that their lives have lost meaning, so their children are shipping them off to get away from them. 

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Reassure your parents that their lives are important to you, and they will receive much better care in senior housing. You aren’t abandoning them; you’re supporting them, just as they have supported you throughout your life. 

Ease Your Parents’ Fears for a Smooth Transition 

If you take the time to address your parents’ fears now, they will have an easier transition into senior housing. These fears are understandable, but they are not true. You will love your parents just as much in senior housing as you do now.

5 Important Questions to Ask While Touring Assisted Living Facilities

Making the transition into assisted living is an important life change that requires research and preparation. Whether you are looking into senior housing for yourself or a loved one, it is essential that you get as much information as possible. 

This guide will help you choose the right assisted living facility to meet your needs. The following are 5 important questions to ask when touring assisted living facilities.

1. Who Are the Caregivers, and How Are They Trained?

When touring assisted living facilities, it’s important to find out about the people who will be caring for your loved one. Always ask who the caregivers are and what the hiring process is like. 

How are caregivers trained? What type of credentials or experience do they have? This will help determine whether you or your family member will be in good care at the facility.

2. What Is the Ratio of Staff to Residents?

A common concern in senior housing is the ratio of staff to residents. Some assisted living facilities are severely understaffed, which means that every resident can’t possibly get all the care they need. 

When touring an assisted living home, ask what the ratio of staff to residents is to ensure that there will be plenty of staff members who can care for your senior family member.

3. Are Rooms Private or Shared?

Every assisted living facility is arranged differently, and this can impact which facility you choose. 

Are you looking for yourself or your loved one to retain some privacy and independence? If so, you will want an assisted living home that offers private rooms. If socializing and companionship are important, you may be interested in shared rooms. 

Always ask about the living arrangements when touring a new facility to find out whether they are private or shared.

4. How Are Medical Concerns Addressed?

One of the most important aspects of senior housing is making sure that residents get the medical care they need. Older adults often have serious health concerns, such as heart disease or Alzheimer’s. 

When touring an assisted living home, ask how the facility addresses such medical concerns. Are medical professionals on-site to attend to emergencies? Is transportation readily available to nearby medical facilities? 

Knowing the answers to these questions will provide peace of mind that your loved one’s health will be in good hands.

5. What Recreational Activities Are Available?

Many people are worried that when their family member enters assisted living, they will become isolated or depressed. A way to avoid that is by having access to recreational activities. 

When you tour a senior housing facility, inquire about its recreational options. Most assisted living communities offer activities like fitness routines, movie nights, and art classes.

Choosing the Right Assisted Living Facility

When touring senior housing facilities, it’s important to ask the right questions. Finding out about staffing, medical care, recreation, and more will help you choose the best assisted living home to meet your needs.

The Search for a Memory Care Community

Searching for memory care for a loved one that suits the person’s needs as well as the family’s is challenging at best. Knowing the person is dependent on getting the level of care they need for both their wellbeing and safety makes choosing the right home essential. Experts say start by taking your time to think about your loved one’s needs including daily personal care required such as dressing, toileting, bathing, etc. as well as any on-going medical needs. 

Additionally, do they have mobility issues and use a wheelchair or a walker; or do they need assistance eating? If the person is known to wander, you will want a secure home to keep him or her safe including alarms on the doors. Another thing experts say is to let the community know if the person is prone to angry outbursts or other aggressive behaviors. 

Once you have a good idea of your loved one’s needs, now consider if the homes you are looking at are equipped to handle those needs. Ask about living arrangements, dining service, and the level of daily help the person will receive. Moreover, does the community offer exercise programs and other meaningful activities? 

Now inquire about the homes’ experience with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, and the training the staff has in dementia care. What is the home’s philosophy of care and how do they handle difficult situations such as aggressive behaviors? Most of all does the staff seem caring and do residents appear to be content and well-looked after? 

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of Happy Valley offers 27 suites devoted to the individualized care of residents with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood is geared toward residents’ care from meaningful activities, trained caregivers, food service, and security. Please visit our website to learn more about senior living, our staff and our approach to memory care.

MorningStar of Happy Valley’s mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide residents exceptional assisted living and memory care.

Assisted Living at MorningStar of Happy Valley

If you have been relying on a piecemeal approach to care for your elderly parent’s various needs, you may want to consider moving them into an assisted living community.    If cost is the reason you have not considered community living, you may not be aware that assisted living can be more affordable than in-home care services.  Experts say if you are paying for more than 40 hours of weekly care, all told, assisted living is probably less expensive.   

Moreover, the peace of mind you get knowing trained care managers are always available to help navigate changes in your loved one’s health, is priceless.  At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we provide residents a beautiful home along with a lifestyle of comfort and wellbeing.  In addition, our team is committed to caring for seniors and ensuring they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

As an assisted living resident, your parents will have an individualized care plan created just for them after an extensive interview process with our Wellness Director.  It includes an assessment of their current health as well as a full review of their medical history. Additionally, we routinely re-evaluate the needs of our residents and update care plans as needed.  Monthly costs are based on the level of care (we have five levels), along with various auxiliary services, both medical and non-medical, that are priced a la carte. 

Our stylish suites are ready to move into and all new residents need to do is bring their furnishings and personal items. We provide the rest including three daily tasty and nutritious meals, a 24/7 care staff, full-time licensed nurse, scheduled transportation and much more.  And in case you wondered, MorningStar is pet friendly.  Please visit our website to learn more about MorningStar of Happy Valley’s amenities, our services, and our company’s philosophy to care.

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 assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.

Luxury Senior Living at MorningStar of Happy Valley

As senior living provides a range of benefits such as socialization, healthcare, amenities, and convenient services, it is no surprise it has become a popular lifestyle for many older adults. If your family has already started the search for senior communities in the Happy Valley area, you know there are many options.  This may have left you wondering how to narrow down your search to find the optimal community for yourself or a loved one?   

Experts say the first thing to do is to find a home that provides the proper level of care.  If you are a senior who needs help with the ADLs (activities of daily living), assisted living offers you the opportunity to maintain your sense of independence and get on with living your life to the fullest.  In addition to 24/7 care managers, access to licensed nurses, and medication management, many assisted living communities offer services including meals, onsite amenities, scheduled transportation, housekeeping and more.  They also often provide opportunities for learning and laughing, with social calendars full of programming, events, and educational opportunities.

For families with a loved one suffering from memory loss due to Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, start by looking at homes that specialize in memory care.  The community should provide a secure environment as well as programming, activities and care that meets the needs of each resident.  

At MorningStar of Happy Valley, we offer all of that and more.  We define health and well-being holistically and offer services and programming that supports the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Our beautiful community has 61 private assisted living suites, with spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has 27 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment.  Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003.  We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in Happy Valley, OR.