As a widower in my 70s, I’ve found a new sense of community and belonging at the Assisted Living Community I now call home. After spending the past decade with my adult child who was my family caregiver, it was a difficult adjustment to move away from my family and into a new environment. However, I have come to cherish the companionship and activities that are available to me every day.
Good Times Ahead
My days at the community start with breakfast, where I often sit with my fellow residents and chat about our plans for the day. We talk about everything from the weather to the latest news, and it’s a great way to start the day off on a positive note. After breakfast, I usually attend some of the exercise classes that are offered. I’m not as mobile as I used to be, but I find that even light exercise helps keep me feeling healthy and energized.
In the afternoons, I often participate in some of the community’s recreational programs. Whether it’s playing cards, painting, or taking part in a book club, there’s always something going on that interests me. The staff at the community are wonderful, and they make sure that there’s always a variety of activities available for residents to enjoy.
Common Community
One thing I especially appreciate about my community is the emphasis on socializing and getting to know our neighbors. There are always opportunities to meet new people, and I’ve made some wonderful friendships during my time here. We often have potluck dinners and other social events, and I always look forward to these occasions.
Interacting with my neighbors has been one of the most rewarding aspects of living in an Assisted Living Community. It’s incredible how much we have in common and how easy it is to connect with each other. We share stories about our past, our families, and our interests, and we’ve created a supportive and welcoming community. There’s always someone to talk to, and it’s comforting to know that we’re all in this together.
Caring Community
One thing that I really appreciate about living here is that we all look out for each other’s well-being. We’ve formed close bonds, and we genuinely care about each other’s happiness and health. If someone is feeling under the weather, we’ll check in on them and make sure that they’re okay. If someone misses a meal, we’ll make sure they have something to eat. We all have different needs and abilities, but we work together to make sure that everyone is taken care of.
It’s also nice to have the reassurance that if I were to fall ill or have an emergency, there are staff members available to provide assistance. Knowing that there are people around who can help with any issues that may arise has given me and my neighbors a greater sense of security and peace of mind. All in all, living in this community has allowed me to form meaningful connections with others and has helped me feel like I am part of a larger family.
Challenge Accepted
I’m also grateful for the time I got to spend with my family in the previous season. My adult child was a wonderful caregiver, and I cherish the memories of our time together. However, I knew that it was becoming more difficult for them to manage both their own family’s needs and mine, and I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t a burden on them. Moving into the community has allowed me to maintain my independence while also having access to the support and care I need.
In conclusion, while the transition to assisted living was initially challenging, I now feel grateful for the opportunities and sense of belonging I have found here. The community offers so many programs and services that I never would have had access to if I had remained living with my family. I feel lucky to have made such great friends and to be a part of such a wonderful community.
We’ve been Caregivers, too & we understand.
In our time as caregivers, we have amassed a wealth of knowledge that we desire to pass on. We understand the emotions involved while making necessary decisions. Likewise, we have met many professional caregivers, as well as other family members who were thrust as Family Caregiver. All caregivers have shared the same advice – Join a community! There is nothing more cleansing for our situation than knowing that we are not alone!
We have since created Caregiver Connection. Caregiver Connection is a newsletter that we write personally and send to fellow Caregivers. It is full of tips, tricks, direction and even professional advice. If you would like to sign up, click the button below.
Please Invite Someone to Our Newsletter
Being an Adult Kid who is helping mom as she is declining can be a scary, frustrating and lonely place lacking stability. You feel like you are solely responsible for solving Mom’s problems while managing yours. Some occasional input and a community you can trust would help, especially when facing burnout! This is a way that all of us can be working together as caregivers!
Many others that you may personally know are having to figure it all out by themselves. Most of them have no community. Please take a minute and do them a favor. Copy this link ~> help.mom/cc <~ and send it to them in an email or private message. They can click on it and subscribe to our newsletter for free.
Then they can enjoy weekly tips and encouragement. They no longer have to feel so alone in their family caregiver journey. They will appreciate the favor! Thank you for thinking of them!
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