If you have an elderly loved one who lives in an assisted living facility, the days when you come to visit them are likely their favorite days. But while they might love this time when they get to see you, visiting your loved one might present certain challenges, both for you and for them. Luckily, there are things you can do to ensure that your visits go well for all parties.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to prepare for visiting an elderly loved one in an assisted living facility.
Know Their Schedule And Temperament
Your loved one is likely living in an assisted living facility because they can no longer take care of themselves the way that they need and their care is too much for the family to take on on their own. Along with this, there are likely times in the day where they are more up for visitors and times during the day where things might be more challenging.
With this in mind, you should try to make sure that you visit during the best times for the schedule and temperament. For many seniors, the morning hours and right after eating lunch are the times of the day when they are in the best moods and have the most energy. But to make sure you’re scheduling your visit for the right time, consider calling the facility to ask about your loved one’s specific schedule and temperament throughout the day.
Bring Them Something Special
When you have your visit scheduled and the day finally arrives, you may want to consider bringing something special with you to make the visit that much more meaningful. While just seeing you will likely bring them great joy, something extra can make the visit feel extra wonderful.
Depending on the interests of your loved one, you might want to bring things like their favorite music, pictures from the past, a pet they love, an additional family member or friend, or some kind of activity to do together.
Make Plans For Your Next Visit
Before you leave to head back home, speak with your loved one about when you plan to visit again. This will usually require you checking your calendar before you get to your visit so that you can know exactly when you’ll be able to come back in the future.
By planning your next visit during your current visit, you can help your loved one know that you’re going to be back soon and that you still love and care for them while they’re living there. You could even plan to leave the assisted living facility and go on an outing together next time, if that’s possible for them.
If you’re planning to visit an elderly loved one is an assisted living facility soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get ready for this time spent together.
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