Is a respite stay right for you?

Winter is a great season to begin having conversations with your loved ones regarding their vision of health and wellness as they age. While family and friends may be close by this season you may witness, they are starting to need more support and may be having more trouble, year-round with errands, medical issues, transportation and other issues related to aging.

You may think it’s time for your loved ones to move into senior living—and yet no one knows for sure, and the decision feels major and quite final.

Senior living respite stays are short term stays that allow your loved ones to enjoy the benefits of assisted living without making a full commitment. This type of a stay allows those close to you to have a trial run to see if senior living is an option they may like to consider again in the future.

Some of the most successful respite stays are loved ones who’ve come to stay for two weeks or a month to visit from the colder climates and tests out the residence nearby with a respite arrangement.

Along with the benefits of daily assistance, short-term respite stay residents have an opportunity to forge new and enriching peer relationships. The opportunity to make friends is closely tied to our mental and physical wellness as we age. During the winter it is especially hard for seniors to get out and about. With a plethora of support, services, and amenities, a respite stay is a great option for those who suffer from limited mobility and chronic conditions and yet, maintain an active lifestyle.

Seniors who do a respite stay can join in the activities offered in the community, from cooking classes to scenic hikes and evening social events. Communicate with staff on specific accommodations your loved one may need to ensure that they feel at home from the first day. Choose a facility that creates ample opportunities for socialization, in addition to a strong program for managing medications and other critical needs.

It’s imperative to communicate to your loved ones, however, that this is not a full transition into assisted living. A respite stay simply allows them to get their feet wet and perhaps evaluate misconceptions and fears they may have about living in a residence in community, where everyone is also aging.

For many seniors and families whom we’ve worked with, respite stays are an economical solution for balancing caregiving responsibilities while respecting a senior’s right to choose their living environment.

When making any significant lifestyle change, it is important to maintain trust and ensure your loved ones that their health, happiness, and wellbeing are at the center of any big life decision like this. Respite stays just make a possible—or inevitable—move a little easier and less anxiety provoking because it removes any big unknowns.

If your loved one is ready to test the waters, contact AEC Living about our respite stay options today.