Adult children often grapple with guilt, concern, and the desire to be as supportive as possible of a parent. A common question among adult children is determining how often they should visit a parent in assisted living.
How often you visit a parent in assisted living involves balancing several factors, such as:
- Your parent’s health
- Distance between your home and the assisted living community
- Work and family responsibilities
While assisted living provides daily activities for older adults to stay engaged and connected with community members, visitation from adult children can offer that extra emotional support.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living supports older adults with daily tasks, such as dressing and grooming, while encouraging independence. It also includes services and amenities that enhance the safety and well-being of loved ones.
Assisted living communities typically offer services like meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, medication management, and social activities to promote engagement and connection among residents.
Benefits of Regular Visits to a Parent in Assisted Living
Regular visits to a parent in assisted living can enhance emotional well-being by providing comfort and a sense of connection. Seeing familiar faces and connecting with family can alleviate feelings of loneliness. The emotional boost a visit may provide is invaluable, reassuring a parent in assisted living that they remain an integral part of the family.
For physical well-being, frequent visits encourage physical activity, which can impact a parent’s overall health. Consider walking in the community courtyard or participating in an activity to maintain physical vitality.
Regular visits are also a way for adult children to monitor the care a parent receives and observe interactions between staff and residents. By maintaining this connection, you’re also more informed about their health and welfare, enabling you to advocate effectively for their care.
Factors to Consider When Visiting a Parent in Assisted Living
Determining the right frequency for visits involves considering several personal and logistical factors:
- Age and health: If a parent has health challenges, more frequent visits may be necessary to provide additional support and monitoring. Conversely, if they are relatively healthy and well-adjusted, the need for frequent visits may be less pressing.
- Distance: The geographical gap between your home and the assisted living community can impact how often you can visit.
- Balancing responsibilities: Work, family, and personal responsibilities can make frequent visits challenging and require careful planning and commitment.
How Often Should You Visit a Parent in Assisted Living?
A good starting point for creating a visitation schedule that works for both you and a parent in assisted living is setting a baseline. You can visit once every week or bi-weekly and adjust as needed based on the circumstances. For those who live close by, weekly visits might be feasible and effective. For those farther away, monthly visits may be more practical.
When planning visits, it’s helpful to coordinate with family members and community staff. Sharing visitation responsibilities with siblings or relatives allows a parent regular companionship and prioritizes special occasions or holidays.
Communicating with the community can help you stay informed about your loved one’s schedule and any events you’d like to participate in. Consider leveraging technology to supplement in-person visits. Video calls can bridge the distance, offering visual and auditory connection even when you can’t be there physically.
Making the Most of Each Visit
Every visit to a parent is an opportunity to create meaningful memories and reinforce your connection. Engaging in activities together can enrich these visits and provide joyful experiences. Consider bringing along a favorite game, engaging in arts and crafts, or simply sharing a meal.
During visits, take the time to listen to your parent. Their stories, concerns, and experiences are a window into their world. Your attentiveness validates their feelings and reinforces their importance in your life. Even small gestures like helping with personal grooming or organizing their space can make a significant difference in their comfort and happiness.
Balancing Visits with Personal Well-being
While it’s crucial to maintain a strong presence in your parent’s life, it’s equally important to care for yourself. Frequent visits can be emotionally draining, especially if you’re managing other responsibilities. Acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to step back when needed.
Practicing self-care is essential to maintaining balance. Engage in activities that rejuvenate you, whether with exercise, meditation, or hobbies that bring you joy. Remember, taking care of yourself enables you to be a stronger support for your parent.
Strengthening Bonds with Care & Connection
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often to visit a parent in assisted living, regular, meaningful visits can provide emotional and physical support that strengthens your bond. Consider your parent’s health, distance from a community, and personal commitments toward developing a visitation schedule that benefits you both.
If you need additional support or resources, contact Bear Creek Assisted Living for guidance tailored to your circumstances.
