Have you ever wondered what someone’s first few days are like at a senior living community? Perhaps you are considering moving your loved one into a new assisted living or memory care community but are apprehensive of how they might handle the new environment. These fears are completely normal! Change can be hard, and at Avista Senior Living we do everything we can to make the transition smooth and natural. You can rest assured that your loved one will be well taken care of and have the tools they need to thrive.
The following are several common things to expect during the first few days or weeks at one of our wonderful communities.
Getting the room set up
The first thing we do for our residents is to get their things moved in and their room set up the way they like it. This is their space and they deserve to make themselves feel at home. If they have decorations or personal items that make them more comfortable they are welcome to get things situated just right. We will also give our residents a day to themselves when they first move in to rest and take things at their own pace.
Meet the resident ambassador
Many of our communities have a resident ambassador who meets and greets each new resident. The resident ambassador is a resident that has lived there for a while and is friendly with new people!
Check-ins
On the first day, we will usually check on our new residents several times just to see how they’re doing and if they need anything. Throughout the week the marketing director or someone they assign will continue checking in periodically. It is very important that our new residents feel welcomed and surrounded by resources!
Visit the cafeteria and other important areas
Eating well is a big part of our communities, and from the very beginning, our residents are given a visit of the cafeteria and where to find everything. They will also be shown other areas of interest such as lounges and community rooms where they can spend their free time and mingle with other residents.
Meet the leadership team
Our new residents are introduced to all of our leadership team members so they know who to talk to if they have an issue or question. They will also meet the Activities Director who will help keep them in the loop on any events that are happening in the community. Depending on the community, residents are also given a key ring with everyone’s information in case they forget.
The welcome wagon
We want to make sure everyone feels welcome when they come to live in an Avista Senior Living community. For this reason, we will often have a group of staff members there when the resident arrives to greet them. Because some of our memory care residents might not understand their circumstances, we are extra sensitive in how we greet and welcome them into our communities. We also ensure that someone is always with them so that they are never left alone. Every situation is different, and so we tailor the amount of care and interaction to meet the individual’s needs. Family is encouraged to come and visit them as often as possible to further help them transition.
Claudia Cardoza of Terra Pointe Memory Care said this, “When a new resident arrives at our community we do a big welcome home greeting with signs that even say welcome home. We make sure that everyone meets our new residents and we always have a happy welcoming crew ready to make their day a little easier.”
Conclusion
These are just some of the highlights of a new resident’s first few days! Experiences may vary by community, and if you’d like to learn more about your prospective community don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! For more info on a community near you visit our Arizona or Utah pages to learn more.