Moving a parent to assisted living is a way to get them the care, support, and love they need. But after taking care of a loved one for so long, it can seem odd not having them around all the time. Once a parent is moved to their new home, you might find yourself wondering how often you should visit a parent in assisted living.
How often you should visit a parent in assisted living depends on your own individual circumstances. If you live nearby, it can be a wonderful idea to visit roughly once a week. If you can visit more often, you can always feel free to! There is no set rule.
The Importance of Socialization for Older Adults
Socializing is an essential part of life. It can help you feel more connected to others, lower your stress levels, and can even help keep you physically and mentally healthy. But more than 30% of seniors in the United States feel isolated.
Long-term isolation can cause:
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems
- Cognitive decline
- Physical health problems
- Higher blood pressure
- An increased risk of heart disease
- A weakened immune system
This all makes socializing crucial—it can help stave off potential long-term health problems and promotes a higher quality of life. But how do you encourage a senior parent to socialize?
How Assisted Living Encourages Socializing
A move to assisted living can be an excellent way to help support your parent. In assisted living, they’ll get their own space to call home—typically a studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartment.. And in the community, there’s a team of caregivers who can help your parent with the daily tasks they might have trouble with.
But one of the biggest benefits of assisted living is how it can provide social opportunities to your parent. Assisted living communities plan a host of programs and events to encourage residents to spend time together and try new things, like:
- Art classes
- Coffee and tea hours
- Wine nights or happy hour
- Communal dining
- Group fitness classes or walking clubs
- Game nights or clubs
- Movie nights with popular or classic films
- Themed parties
- Experiences outside the community
These give every resident a way to socialize with the people around them and build new relationships and strong bonds.
When Should You Visit Someone in Assisted Living?
How do you know when it’s a good time to visit a parent in assisted living? Is there a rule or guidelines?
There’s no predetermined calendar that can help you plan your visiting schedule. Instead, take a moment and think about a few things:
- Your own routine and where you have time to visit
- How far you have to travel for the visit
- How your family feels about regular visits
- How your parent’s social calendar has increased with their newfound friends.
While you might want to talk to your parent every day, it’s important to strike a balance. Every family’s circumstances and dynamics vary, so try to make a plan that suits you.
It can help to visit roughly once a week or so if it’s possible. Weekly visits may be easier to fit into your schedule than daily visits, and they give you and your parent time to build up a week’s worth of stories! Try to pick the same day every week so you can work it into your regular routine.
If you want to go more or less often and it works for you and your parent, go ahead! Remember: what matters most is the fact that you’re visiting. The quality of time spent together is more important than the frequency.
Tips for Making Visits in Assisted Living More Meaningful
To make the most of your visits, try to start incorporating new activities and ideas that help you and your parent bond. You can try to plan around:
- Shared interests: Try playing board games, watching movies, listening to music, or sharing a meal. Potential outings or short trips to local attractions: The change of scenery can be refreshing for you and your loved one, and it lets you share new memories and experiences together.
- Friends and family: Bring along other loved ones to broaden your parent’s support network.
- Storytelling time: Pour a cup of coffee or tea, and sit and share stories together.
Let Our Community Help with Assisted Living
At Somerby Santa Rosa Beach, we understand how important it is for older adults to build a social support system. That’s why our team is here to help guide, support, and nurture your parent however we can. Contact us to find your loved one’s future home.
