While assisted living staff will play a significant role in residents’ lives, there’s no substitute for family engagement. It may not always be easy to ensure consistent engagement from families. Adult children may have busy lives. Some family members hesitate to engage because they worry about disturbing community life. However, family involvement is critical for the resident’s experience to be as complete and happy as possible. This post explores strategies an assisted living community can use to increase family engagement.
Increasing Family Involvement at an Assisted Living Community
Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
Creating a warm and welcoming environment encourages families to visit more frequently and engage with their loved ones. The first step is keeping the community clean and well-maintained. Train the staff to be friendly and approachable. Common spaces like lounges, activity rooms, and sitting areas provide comfortable visiting areas for families to spend with their loved ones. And small touches like free coffee or Wi-Fi make the space more welcoming and enjoyable.
Encourage Involvement From the Beginning
Communities should set the stage for engagement from the first meeting with family members. Get families involved in the move-in and transition process. Host a welcome meeting where families can meet the staff and learn about the community. Provide families visitation guidelines, event opportunities, and ways to communicate with the community. Ensure the team lets them know they’re welcome and that the community values their involvement. Get family members involved in care planning and ask them about activity ideas.
Ensure Open Communication
Effective communication is vital for ensuring family engagement in senior living. Provide regular updates about the resident via phone or email. You can also use an online portal or mobile app to allow families to easily access schedules, announcements, and care updates. Consider an email newsletter to announce upcoming events or provide community updates. Encourage family feedback through surveys, suggestion boxes, or group meetings.
A Schedule of Diverse Events
Organizing events is an excellent way to ensure family connection and engagement. Consider diverse activities like themed parties, performances, game nights, etc. Offer inclusive celebrations for events like birthdays and holidays. Encourage family members to volunteer in the community to organize events or share their skills or talents with residents. Gather feedback from residents and families to improve events and activities.
Overcoming Obstacles
Many families want to be involved but may face issues like busy schedules or distance. Communities can help overcome these issues in various ways. Firstly, flexible visiting hours can make the community more accessible to busy family members. Secondly, virtual options like live-streamed events and video conferencing help those who live far away. Additionally, communities could also assist families with planning visits and events. Let families know the community wants to help them connect and be involved with their loved ones.
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