The population of Arizona is aging, with over 18 percent of residents being 65 years or older, according to research by PRB. As our state’s population continues to age, an increasing number of residents will need to make the transition to assisted living, as they are unable to live on their own or have family members to care for them.
The process of transitioning to assisted living is not often something that is eagerly anticipated. For the seniors and their families, it represents a palpable loss of control and a pronounced loss of independence. There is the difficulty of adjusting to new routines, which can be a very challenging transition for those with memory loss or vision loss. Then there is the cost of assisted living. It can be hard to accept that all you have saved and planned will be spent on assisted living. It is a very emotional time for the family and parents.
If the parent and family are having a hard time with the transition, everyone will easily pick up on those feelings, making the move more difficult for everyone. The difficulty makes it imperative that we provide better support for people transitioning into long-term elder care.
The most important thing friends, family and caregivers can do to help ease the transition is to listen to the person moving into assisted living and include them in the process. Ask them what they need in long-term care and what features would make them feel comfortable. Respect their preferences and let them make choices about where they live, provided the decisions being made are not financially untenable.
Most importantly, listen to their concerns and validate their feelings. The transition might make them angry, sad, fearful, or all of the above. Everyone involved needs to let their family member know that whatever they are feeling is valid and normal. Moving into assisted living can be a challenging process, and everyone, from family to medical professionals, needs to do more to help seniors transition through it.
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