The Family’s Involvement in the Senior Living Decision How to Support a Loved One, Ask the Right Questions, and Simplify Decisions By Emily Havens, Director of Marketing, Ovation Sienna Hills
About the Author Emily Havens is the Executive Community Relations Director for Ovation Sienna Hills. Prior to developing her marketing career, Emily spent three years at The Spectrum and Daily News as a local journalist. Emily has garnered several awards from the Associated Press, Utah Press Association, and Nevada Press Association. In addition to her contributions to journalism and the digital marketing world, Emily is also a local nonprofit chapter president.
Whether mom and dad have expressed their desire to move into a senior living community or you’ve watched them struggle in their home as they age, there is a wide range of emotions involved in making the decision to move to senior living: relief, joy, pain, resistance, and excitement. When a family can come together on a united front and support a solution that allows mom and dad to thrive and experience joy in their final years, the transition is much more positive and comfortable for everyone. Communicate Often and Openly Your loved one’s needs will be very specific to them as you embark on the quest for the right fit. You need to understand that your loved one will have different concerns and questions than you might have. Remember, they are making the move, not you. The basic foundation for a healthy discussion can start here: What is most important to you? What is going to make you truly happy? Remember to address your parents’ concerns. Do not brush them off. Why are they feeling this way? What are the underlying emotions at play? Try to focus on the positive aspects of senior living. How are you all working to help create a brighter future for your loved one? Research Together Time to get organized. Compile questions and answers into a master list to ensure you don’t miss anything as you visit communities. Gather marketing material and consider “dividing and conquering” with other family members. Your master list should include questions about
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security, accommodations, lifestyle, social activities and events, health and fitness facilities, and much more. Make the Most of Community Tours Touring a community before making a move is key. Allow for an appropriate amount of time—typically an hour—each visit to speak to team members and residents. Pay special attention to how a community makes you feel. What is the culture there? Does it feel lively or drab? If possible, tour with a resident. When that is not possible, meet with a resident, and ask them questions. What do they like most about living there? Also, if possible, ask if you can stay for lunch! Stay Involved in Your Loved One’s Life Once a decision has been made about the right community, approach the actual move with enthusiasm. After they have settled into a community, family members should make every effort to remain involved in their life through activities, meals, and health appointments. In doing so, they accomplish two important things. First, they can continue to learn more about this new phase of their family member’s life, and second, they can confirm that their loved one is flourishing in their new home. If you would like to talk with a representative from Ovation Sienna Hills about enhancing your life or the life of your loved one, please call (435) 429-0000, visit their website at www.ovationsiennahills.com, or stop by their community on the corner of Washington Parkway and Telegraph Street at 1525 E. Ovation Place in Washington, Utah, 84780.
