Reducing Seniors’ Anxieties over Moving to Senior Living Community

It’s a long held belief that when someone moves into a senior living community, they either can’t take care of themselves or they are close to dying. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Today’s senior living environments are geared toward many different levels of care – independent living, assisted living, memory care, and more. However, today’s seniors might still be apprehensive over making the move.

What are some of their objections?

• “I’ll sit around all day and do nothing.” The truth of the matter is that today’s senior living communities are chock full of activities that they provide for their residents. It might be exercise classes, outings, crafts, gardening clubs, etc. The senior will have plenty to do.
  
• “I’m afraid of moving out of my house, I’ve been here for such a long time.” Fearing change is nothing new; it’s all a part of being human. Try asking your senior loved one questions like – What if you can’t take care of the house anymore? What if (your spouse) passes away? Moving into a retirement community as a couple may also seem far preferable.
  
• “I don’t have the money to move into a senior living community.” Many people don’t realize how much they are actually spending on their own home. There’s the maintenance, repairs, taxes, mortgage, etc. Plus, seniors often have a good amount of equity built up in their home which they can use.
  
• “I’m not old enough to move into a senior living facility.” Most people feel like they are young at heart, and that they can’t possibly be old enough to move into a retirement home. Talk to them about what a wonderful gift aging is, and how much they’ll be able to enjoy their retirement years in a senior living community.
  
• “What’s going to happen to all my things?” By the time they are seniors; people have collected and accrued many items. Many of them wonder about what will happen to their things. Ease their mind by helping them sort through everything by donating some things, giving things away to family, throwing some things away, and keeping only the things that are necessary.

If you are a senior living in the Bel Air area and would like to learn about assisted living in Baltimore County or about in-home care in Harford County, you are encouraged to contact the Always Best Care Fallston location at 410-877-3787 to set up a free care consultation.