There’s no doubt that having a parent or loved one move into a senior retirement community brings about substantial change. Not only for your parents, but for your entire family as well. Much like any significant transition, moving to an active senior community will require a period of adjustment. Whether you’ve made this decision because of ongoing health requirements, or because you’d like to improve your parent’s quality of life, there are a few points to keep in mind when your loved one makes the transition into living in a senior retirement community.
Active retired seniors enjoy one another’s company while sitting on a porch together.
A Well-Balanced Meal Schedule
It’s no secret that three square (and well-balanced) meals per day is one of the key ingredients to a healthy lifestyle. Meal prep can become arduous for your aging loved ones, which is why many senior retirement communities offer a plethora of daily meal options. In-house culinary teams will work to prepare healthy, balanced selections that reflect the preferences of your loved one. Menus often include seasonal options and local fare when possible. Meals are an important time of day to sit and catch-up with friends and family, which is why many senior retirement communities offer group-meal options, as well as the option to join your loved one for either a special-occasion or casual meal. Mealtime is a great opportunity for candid conversation where you can listen openly to your loved one discuss their experience at their retirement community, and engage in conversation with other residents and families.
A Tailored Social Calendar
You’ll, of course, seek to care for your parents the best way you can, often by visiting and spending time with them weekly. You may, however, feel concerned that beyond your visits, they may not be engaging with other people outside of their home. Many active senior communities ensure that their residents are surrounded by others of similar age and interests, providing a close-knit social circle. There is often a roster full of daily events and activities for which your loved one can sign up. These can include physical exercise such as aerobics, golf or yoga; creative classes such as painting, sculpture or reading; or even outings to local museums and galleries. Regardless of your parents’ interests and hobbies, many senior retirement communities will accommodate their requests.
Consistent Reliable Care
A considerable amount of relief comes with knowing that your loved one is taken care of 24/7. Healthcare experts are staff staples at any senior retirement community, and will ensure that your parents are in their best physical and mental health. In addition to regular check-ups, healthcare professionals will also manage your parents’ medications. Managing medications at home can be difficult for most seniors, especially if they have multiple prescriptions to monitor.
In addition to medication management, a senior retirement community’s healthcare professionals will also ensure that your loved one is getting the exercise and social interactions they need. They can work with you to tailor a healthcare plan suited to ensure the health of your parent’s body and mind, and to ensure that they are active members who can make the most out of their time in their community.
Undoubtedly, the decision to transition your loved ones into an active senior retirement community will surely result in many changes for both you and them. It’s important to take stock of the health and lifestyle of your loved one, and have an open and honest conversation with them regarding the merits of moving into a retirement community. Should you decide to make the transition, you can rest assured that they will be provided with the best care, meals and social activities that will improve both their physical and mental wellbeing, and enrich their lives during this new chapter.
Photo Credit
Photo is from iStock
Guest Author Bio
Steffen Ploeger
Steffen is a bilingual (German/English) content writer who likes to speak his mind. He enjoys sharing his thoughts—and there are many—online through blogging and social media. To inspire readers to share their own opinions is one of his ambitions.
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