What Role Do Family Members Play in Assisted Living Care?

When choosing an assisted living facility for a loved one, you’ll need to consider various factors, such as daily living assistance, nutritional provisions, medical assistance, and costs. Family involvement is another critical factor that people often overlook.

In this article, the team at MD Senior Living discusses the role family plays in the assisted living environment.

“Assisted Living Near Me”: The Importance of Family Involvement

Moving into an assisted living facility can be challenging for new residents. After years of following their daily schedule, the new resident suddenly has to adapt to an unfamiliar environment with new people and a different routine. However, the resident’s family maintains a powerful connection with the world they have known.

Family involvement plays several critical roles in assisted living.

Resident’s Overall Well-Being

Regular contact and quality time with family members can significantly affect a resident’s mental well-being. In addition, the emotional support they receive from family members helps them face health and mobility issues. Family involvement also prevents feelings of isolation and their resulting mental and physical impact on a resident’s well-being.

Contact with friends and family promotes residents’ memory and thinking skills. In addition, when residents look forward to family visits, they are more active and derive optimal value from all the facility’s levels of care.

Family Members’ Peace of Mind

Family members with minimal access to their loved ones in assisted living facilities typically become anxious. You want to know that your parent or spouse is in the best hands and receiving optimal daily and medical care.

If an assisted living facility promotes family involvement, you can regularly communicate with your parent or spouse and have peace of mind that they are receiving the care they need.

Informed Medical Decision Making

Generally, residents don’t want to make decisions about their medical treatments alone. Therefore, an assisted living facility should provide an environment where residents can consult with their family members, gain insights about treatment implications, and make informed decisions.

Effective Communication

As a resident’s family member, you should have a say in the long-term care they receive at an assisted living care facility.

You should also be able to discuss matters concerning your loved one with the relevant department and resolve potentially problematic issues. Frequent consultation with a facility’s caregivers and coordinators ensures that your loved one receives personalized care that promotes their overall well-being and happiness.

For Those Looking for a “Nursing Home Near Me,” That Encourages Family Inclusion

Family involvement is a care factor that should involve more than a weekly or monthly visit. Ultimately, the goal should be to incorporate family members into the nursing home or assisted living community. Building relationships with caregivers and other residents can help your loved one assimilate and feel at home.

Assisted living and nursing home facilities can accommodate family involvement in various ways.

Visitation and Access

You should be able to visit your parent at any reasonable time to check in on them and ensure that they are happy and comfortable. The assisted living facility should also allow telephone and instant messaging so that your parent can contact you whenever they feel lonely.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering can be a fun and effective form of family involvement in an assisted living care facility. By volunteering, you will learn what goes on behind the scenes at the facility while making a difference. Helping out will also allow you to spend quality time with your loved one and build relationships with other people in the assisted living environment.

Participation in Social and Daily Activities

Participating in fitness sessions, dinners, evening classes, and other scheduled events allows you to spend quality time with your loved one and maintain a healthy relationship.

MD Senior Living: Contact Us Today

At MD Senior Living in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ, we understand the value of family involvement, which is why we don’t restrict visiting times. Instead, our staff will gladly accommodate you if you want to bring your children, join residents for a meal, or participate in a social activity.

If you live elsewhere, we can set up video calls so your loved one can enjoy a face-to-face conversation with you and other family members.

Call us at (480) 605-4002 to schedule a tour or learn more about our assisted living services.