Easing the Transition to Senior Living: Some Useful Tips & Resources

By Catherine Bryson

June, just so you know, happens to be Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. There’s a resource for information on Alzheimer’s below, in the Resources section that follows this post.

For now, I’d like to say that, just like the title of this post, I happen to be in transition myself. I hope this post helps you. And just so you know, all the information in this post came from the following website:

Moving a Parent to Assisted Living: 12 Strategies to Ease the Transition

From Working Daughter founded by Liz O’Donnell (‘A community of women balancing eldercare, career, kids and life.’)

Assisted living assumes a certain degree of independence, whereas long-term care is for round-the-clock care. It’s important to know the difference between the two. Think of it this way (the lowest number being the least support):

1. Independent Living
2. Assisted Living
3. Long-term Care

When moving to either assisted living or long-term care, be cognizant of these:

• Your parents may mourn the loss of their independence
• It’s normal for you to feel guilty
• It takes 3-6 months for someone to adjust to assisted living
• Daughtering takes a village, enlist help with visits
• If the senior says they want to go home, they may mean their childhood home. Allow the parent to express his/her feelings
• Surround your parent with their personal belongings. Moving to assisted living usually involves downsizing, but things like (old school) photos don’t take up much room, or say, a familiar blanket or art piece. I did this for my father. He was in long-term care but still, I made sure he had my hand-crocheted blanket to keep him warm at night.
• Talk to the staff at assisted living about your concerns. Be an advocate on behalf of your parent or spouse.
• Trust your instincts.***

Resources

Try Spotify for ‘Brainstorm’ (UsAgainstAlzheimers), or ‘Caregiver Chats’ with Dr. Lakelyn

Watch the ‘Paradox of Grief’ Ted talk by Julia Samuel (15 minutes) I learned about this excellent video from NSCRs Bereavement Group. The video is available on YouTube.

Also, a couple of websites to keep in mind:

Home

https://www.zinniatv.com

(This is a dementia-friendly channel. It isn’t free but it is quite reasonable.)

https://www.alzeducate.ca

Here’s a helpful tip:

Mayfair Senior Living in Port Coquitlam is quite reasonable, I found.

For a studio, $3900/month (including meals)

https://Aspiralife.ca I also recommend exploring alternative models of Senior Living such as the Abbeyfield non-profit model that operates in Canada and elsewhere. The houses are smaller:  instead of hundreds of residents to care for, there are only a dozen or so. Senior Living on a human scale.