Assisted living can be a wonderful way to get a parent the support they need. In these communities, your parent can get support from a trained and caring team of professional caregivers. But it’s important to visit as well—the social benefits of regularly visiting a parent in assisted living can’t be overstated. So how often should you visit a parent in assisted living?
This answer can vary depending on your own unique situation. Some people enjoy daily or weekly visits, while other people prefer the visits to be spread further apart. Make sure that you communicate with your parent to plan your visits; this way, you can both enjoy the time spent together and make the most of your visit.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is designed to promote a blend of independence and professional care. It’s designed for older adults who want to prioritize their independence and autonomy—without compromising their safety or health. It’s a residential community that caters to older adults who need a hand with some daily activities, but still want to live life on their own terms.
In assisted living, each resident gets a customized treatment plan designed specifically to address any unique challenges they may be facing. Tasks like bathing, eating, dressing, and housekeeping are all considered—when your parent struggles, the teams in assisted living step up to help.
These communities offer a range of services, like:
- Nutrition-based dietary plans
- Housekeeping
- Transportation services
- Therapy programs
- Safety and security features
But assisted living is about more than just care; these communities want to improve your parent’s quality of life without compromising their health and safety. Social bonding and connection are crucial, so these communities also offer a calendar full of events and activities designed to help residents bond, pursue their passions, and learn new things.
Assisted living is an incredible way to support a parent who needs a hand with their daily tasks. They can remain independent and get the exact level of care they need—this way, they can enjoy their time doing the things they love in a community that truly feels like home.
The Value of Socializing for Seniors
There’s a reason that these communities put such a strong emphasis on residents socializing—it’s a crucial part of maintaining a higher quality of life. But it’s about more—regular socialization is full of health benefits as well.
Seniors who regularly socialize typically tend to experience:
- Slower cognitive decline
- Lower stress levels
- Boosted mood and mental health
- A stronger immune system
- Higher levels of happiness and satisfaction
- Improved sleeping patterns
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular problems
This is why socialization is so crucial. However, many older adults find themselves isolated or developing feelings of loneliness due to a lack of social opportunities. Isolation and loneliness can have a significant effect on a person’s health; it’s closely linked to depression, anxiety, and a decreased quality of life.
That’s why it’s so important to regularly visit a parent in assisted living. It gives them a chance to enjoy a chat with someone they love, where they can enjoy the benefits of socialization and the quality time spent together.
How Often Should You Visit?
This is a deeply personal question and greatly depends on your own situation. For some people, daily visits are a wonderful habit; for others, once or twice a month makes the time spent together more valuable.
Instead of trying to stick to a set schedule, try to consider the following factors:
- The convenience of visiting
- How often your parent wants to see you
- Your parent’s level of social engagement within the assisted living community
- Your own work and life balance
- The health condition and overall well-being of your parent
- Special occasions, events, or milestones in your parent’s life
- Any changes in your parent’s needs or assisted living circumstances
Then, use this information to build a rough plan. Make sure that you aren’t inconveniencing yourself or your parent—if either of you needs to constantly change plans to accommodate a visit, it’s time to change up your routine.
Remember—the quantity shouldn’t be the important thing. Instead, the quality should always be prioritized. A meaningful visit will be more enjoyable, and memorable, than a short and quick one. So try and employ various strategies to make the most of your time spent together.
Strategies for Meaningful Visits
Quality visits are a wonderful way to keep building a strong bond with your parent. Connection is crucial, after all! To make every visit, make sure that you:
- Plan ahead. It can help to try and schedule visits during quiet times; this helps to avoid any feelings of being overwhelmed or distracted from other tasks.
- Bring along games or activities to play together.
- Encourage storytelling by asking about their past experiences or thoughts on current events.
- Participate in any community events or activities that coincide with your visit to help your parent feel more integrated and active within their community.
- Use the visit as a chance to check on how your parent is doing. Do they like the offered activities? Is the staff paying attention to their needs? Does your parent need anything for a higher quality of life?
- Regularly communicate between visits. A letter or a phone call can go a long way!
This can help you and your parent make the most of your time together.
Assisted Living in Portland, Oregon
At Markham House Assisted Living, we know how important it is to spend quality time with your loved one. That’s why our community puts a strong focus on including family in our care plans—we want to help your loved one enjoy their time in a community that truly feels like home. Book a tour with us today, and take the first step towards finding a community that cares for your parent as much as you.