The Benefits of Visiting Elderly Loved Ones After They Move to a Senior Living Community

Transitioning your elderly loved one into a senior living community can mark a pretty significant change in your family’s lives. You may have conflicting emotions as you navigate the shift from caregiver back to the role of son or daughter, and your parent may struggle getting adjusted to a new living situation and routine. It’s important to take time during this transitional period to stay in touch with your loved one and visit them regularly to ensure you are both adjusting to your new roles and environments.

There is a wide array of rewarding reasons to stay in frequent contact with your loved one after they make the move to a senior living community. Regular visits and quality time can help your parent feel connected – preventing senior isolation, depression, cognitive decline and loneliness. Read on to find out how often you should visit your parent and the benefits of taking an active role in your loved one’s golden years after they’ve made the move to senior living.

How Often Should You Visit Your Parent in a Senior Living Community

When considering how often to visit a parent or loved one in a senior living community, you must keep in mind that what is most important is not solely the frequency of your visits, but also the quality of time spent during those visits. It’s best to find a balance that suits both your loved one’s needs and your family’s schedule – respecting boundaries for everyone involved. 

For some families, the right amount of visits is weekly or multiple times a week while for others, bi-weekly or once a month is ideal. What matters most is that you have regular, meaningful interactions with your elderly loved one. This time spent will significantly contribute to their overall well-being and foster a sense of connection and love.

The Benefits of Visiting Your Elderly Loved One in a Senior Living Community

Nurtures Your Relationship

One of the most important benefits of spending quality time with your elderly loved one after your primary caregiving responsibilities are complete, is that you can start rebuilding your relationship as parent and child. It may take a while for your role to change back completely, but in time your visits will serve as a reminder that you genuinely love and care for your parent and you enjoy spending quality time with them.

During your visits, be sure to check in on what they’ve been up to and what sort of projects they’ve been working on. They are sure to love the chance to talk about a recent art project or contribution to the community garden. Showing that you are proud of them and interested in a hobby will put a smile on their face and give them a happy memory to think of in between visits.

Improves Mental Wellbeing

Visiting your elderly loved ones helps improve their cognitive health. Studies show that senior isolation is closely linked to cognitive decline and illness in seniors. Frequent visits and interaction with your senior parent can help relieve feelings of loneliness and improve mental wellbeing. 

Keeping conversation lively and encouraging your loved ones to participate in activities during your visits provides critical mental stimulation for your parent. By engaging their body and mind, you play a significant role in slowing down cognitive decline. Simple activities such as board games, puzzles, walks, and active conversations can make an impact on their mental wellbeing.

Improves Memory Recall

Whether your loved one is in a memory care facility or faces the typical memory struggles that are common with older age, you may find it more difficult to make frequent visits. Although it can be heartbreaking to interact with a parent who has dementia, visiting during the right moments is still important. Reminiscing through conversations, music, photos and videos can help make a deeper connection with your loved one, even if communication can seem difficult. 

Monitors Your Loved One’s Ability

Frequent visits give you a chance to pay attention to your loved one’s abilities and how they change over time. Visiting allows you the chance to spot any potential concerns and changes early on. For example, you might notice your parent has a harder time with certain Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as getting dressed or feeding themselves as easily as they used to. 

In addition to examining your parent’s physical health, pay attention to your parent’s mental health. Be on the lookout for signs of senior depression or any other drastic changes to their mood as mood swings, memory loss, and personality changes may be signs of dementia.

Ensures Your Loved One is Well Cared For

While monitoring your loved one during your visits, be sure to note if their care plan is being followed and they are being treated appropriately. Regular visits to your parent’s senior living community enable you to closely monitor the health of your loved one and gives you the chance to be alerted to any signs that your parent’s care isn’t working out. 

Be sure to observe any changes in their physical or mental well-being. Taking a proactive approach ensures that any potential health issues are addressed promptly and your loved one receives necessary medical attention if needed.

Support Your Loved One During Their Golden Years

Visiting your loved one at a senior living community is not just a responsibility, but a meaningful way to enrich your relationship with your parent and show them that you care. Regular visits have a significant impact on your loved one’s mental health and wellbeing. Recognize the importance of these visits and make an effort to prioritize the time you have together – creating lasting memories you can cherish together.

Still unsure whether senior living is the right move for your loved one? National Church Residences is here to help you find the best senior housing option for your loved ones. Find out which senior living options are in your area or give us a call at 844-465-6063 to talk to one of our friendly staff members today.