Helping Older Ones Find a Sense of Belonging in a New Environment
What makes a house feel like home? It is more than just a comfy room or access to care. It might be a collection of old photos, our favourite chair at the dining table, or the one who knows how we like our coffee. It is somewhere we feel known, appreciated, and empowered.
For older adults, moving near family when they need care, or to a senior living community, can be difficult. How do you restore that sense of belonging when they might feel like they are uprooted?
A big part of providing loving care at Jah-Jireh is to make our residents feel secure and comfortable in their new living environment. We strive to create a community where residents feel they truly belong. We have found some valuable tips that have helped us ensure this in the Home. We would love to share some of these tips in this article.
Tips To Help Older Ones Adjust to a Move
Practically, as our older ones age, they might have to move so they can receive care that they are no longer able to provide for themselves. Moving – whether to a family member’s home or into a senior living community - is a significant life event. Experts have identified that this causes a level of trauma called transfer trauma.
“Transfer trauma — also called Relocation Stress Syndrome (RSS) — is a recognized pattern of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and functional disruption that can follow an older adult’s move from one care setting to another.”
- Dr. Regina Koepp, clinical geropsychologist and founder of the Center for Mental Health & Aging
How can we ensure that our dear older ones are able to successfully cope with this transition period? Here are some tips:
1) From a Room to a Home
Cherished belongings bring a sense of familiarity and identity to a resident’s space. Maintaining familiar routines can also provide comfort. These small details communicate something powerful: This is your space. You belong here.
At Jah-Jireh, we encourage our residents to personalize their room with photographs, memorabilia and things that make their environment more familiar.
Tip for carers: Create a personal space with items that are familiar to them.
2) Getting to Know the Person Behind the Care
Every older adult has a unique life story. Staff and residents get to know each person as an individual. They focus on who each person is, not just their care needs.
Remembering a resident's favourite music helps build connections. Asking about their past job can spark conversations. Listening to childhood stories fosters lasting friendships.
Tip for carers: Try to invite young ones over occasionally so older ones get an opportunity to share their experiences.
3) Building Community Through Shared Faith
For many older adults, faith is central to their identity. They've spent many years building their lives with Jehovah. They continue to do so, even in their golden years. Shared spiritual activities offer support. Ministry and gatherings create a sense of belonging. These experiences provide a good spiritual routine as well as a chance to be part of a loving community.
We at Jah-Jireh help them maintain this most cherished routine. Read more: https://jah-jireh.on.ca/blog/helping-older-ones-maintain-their-spiritual-routine
Tip for carers: Reach out to different ones in the congregation for help in arranging spiritual activities for older ones like letter writing or telephone witnessing.
4) Activities That Bring People Together
A lively community for older adults helps them engage. They can explore interests and connect with others. Games, crafts, gardening, outings, music, celebrations, or group activities foster friendship naturally. Activities like these may seem simple, but they matter. They give us something to look forward to and someone to share it with. Our staff at Jah-Jireh lovingly plan and arrange such activities through the year.
Read more: https://jah-jireh.on.ca/blog/staying-active-in-later-years-a-loving-gift-to-the-body
Tip for carers: Find out what interests them and, if possible, try to include others for an evening of doing just that.
5) The Importance of Everyday Friendships
Belonging often develops through ordinary moments. A friendly greeting in the hallway. Sitting with someone at breakfast. Sharing a cup of tea. Asking how someone's day is going.
Small interactions with familiar faces and daily connections make Jah-Jireh special. They create a welcoming atmosphere.
Read more: https://jah-jireh.on.ca/blog/importance-of-social-interaction-for-the-elderly
Tip for carers: Small interactions matter. Checking in from time to time, sharing one meal – these can lessen their feeling of loneliness.
6) Helping Residents Feel Valued and Included
Older adults have a lifetime of knowledge, skills, and experiences to share. A resident might share a family recipe, care for a garden, teach a craft, tell stories, or help plan a get-together. By planning activities that give older ones an opportunity to share in this way, our staff works to make them feel valued.
Tip for carers: Try and include them in planning something. Give them a small task that makes them feel that their presence and input matters.
7) Familiarise them slowly
For a new resident, the first few days and weeks can be filled with uncertainty. A warm welcome can make the transition easier. Our staff helps new ones acclimatize to the new living environment by helping them become familiar with the other residents, the layout of their new surroundings and new routines.
Tip for carers: They might need some handholding in the first few weeks. Make things simple for them so they can find things easily. Be patient with them.
8) Maintaining Connections
Moving into a new place or a retirement community does not mean leaving their old connections behind.
At Jah-Jireh, we encourage regular visits and phone calls from family members and friends.
Video calls, shared meals, and family celebrations also keep important relationships strong. Family members can stay involved in residents' daily lives. When families and staff team up, residents gain more support and connection.
Tip for carers: Encourage visits or calls from family and friends who were an important part of their lives before they moved.
Patience and Support
We understand that care can be taxing when you take up the role of a carer for your elderly family member. Supporting them through this transition takes effort and we hope these tips help.
Warmth and real connections can make moving to senior living a great experience. Individual support and opportunities for engagement can also make the move more rewarding.
At Jah-Jireh, we offer seniors a space to be themselves and build meaningful connections. Are you considering care for your loved ones? Contact us to discuss.
Would you like to contribute toward the care of elderly ones in Jah-Jireh? Please click on the button below to donate online.
