Sometimes, we all need a hand. With age, some daily tasks can become a little more difficult, and this can have a significant effect on a parent’s quality of life. This is why assisted living can be such a wonderful option. In these communities, your parent can get support with the activities that give them trouble in a rich, vibrant, and fulfilling environment. But once your parent moves to assisted living, how often should you visit?
Building a proper visitation schedule is key here, so start by asking your parent what would work for them. While some families may enjoy weekly visits, others may benefit from daily chats. Make sure that you and your parent choose a schedule that works for you both, and remember: the quality of time spent together matters more than the quantity!
What Is Assisted Living?
Imagine a community where your parent can enjoy their independence and autonomy every day, with access to a wide range of services and amenities—all while getting support for the daily tasks that have become a little difficult or frustrating. A community that’s tailored to meet your parent’s unique needs and provide customized care to improve their quality of life.
That’s assisted living. These communities are designed to provide a fulfilling lifestyle in a home-like environment. With a team of experienced caregivers on hand to support your loved one and all kinds of different fun activities and events. Assisted living offers a vibrant and wonderful environment to help your loved one enjoy every day.
Why Move to Assisted Living?
These communities offer plenty of different amenities to improve the quality of life for each resident. Here at Meadowcrest at Middletown, our residents can enjoy easy access to:
- Round-the-clock access to trained medical personnel
- On-site rehabilitation services for cognitive and physical therapy
- Gourmet dining
- Lounge areas
- Full-service salons
- Beautiful common spaces and outdoor areas
- Scheduled transportation and group outings
- Classes and planned events
This way, residents can pursue their passions, learn new things, and enjoy spending time with the people around them, all in a community that truly feels like home.
The Social Benefits of Assisted Living
The social aspect of assisted living isn’t just designed to keep things interesting and exciting. It’s about offering a way for residents to enjoy bonding, connecting, and socializing with the people around them. Socialization is closely linked to cognitive, mental, and physical health, and assisted living helps provide an environment that fosters all of these at once.
Whether your loved one wants to spend their time pursuing past interests, learning new things, taking classes, practicing a new hobby, or enjoying any other interest, assisted living can help. Your loved one can enjoy their favorite activities (new and old) while being surrounded by like-minded people, giving a way to enjoy a rich social life full of excitement!
When to Visit a Parent in Assisted Living
Assisted living is a wonderful way for your parent to enjoy spending time in a like-minded community. That’s why visits are recommended—and encouraged—so you can enjoy seeing your parent thrive in their new home.
However, planning visits isn’t always the simplest thing. It requires careful scheduling so you can make sure that both you and your parent make the most out of every visit. When you’re planning to visit, make sure to consider:
- Your, and your parent’s, schedule
- The distance needed to travel
- Your parent’s unique needs and preferences
- Any special events or activities happening in the community
Try to plan your visits for a day that’s convenient for both parties. While some families may benefit from daily visits, others may prefer weekly or bi-weekly visits. Here, consistency is key; it gives your parent both comfort and something exciting to look forward to!
At the end of the day, it isn’t about spending as much time together as possible. It’s about making sure the time you do spend together makes a difference, and that you and your parent are both making the most of every visit. It’s about quality, not quantity!
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visits
If you’re not sure how to make the most of your visit, try to plan ahead. Instead of just dropping by for a chat, try to:
- Keep an eye out for community events ahead of time, giving you both a fun afternoon to enjoy.
- Engage in activities your parent enjoys, like walking through the outdoor areas or trying new craft projects.
- Bring along familiar objects, photo albums, or other memorabilia to spark new conversations and learn new things.
- Help with personal projects in your parent’s new home.
- Bring along other loved ones.
- Plan out a group outing to a nearby destination.
- Spend time with your parent’s new friends.
If you’re unable to make a regular visit, try to incorporate technology into the mix! You can always enjoy a phone or video call to continue bonding with your parent. Even if you can’t be there physically, they’ll enjoy the chance to chat.
The Right Home for Your Parent
At Meadowcrest at Middletown, we know how important it is to spend time with the people you love. That’s why we offer such a wide range of events and activities—we believe in giving every resident the chance to pursue the things they love. Book a tour with us today, and take the first step towards finding your parent’s future home!
