With so many decisions to make, it’s easy to understand why the transition into an assisted living community is difficult for some seniors. Here are a few suggestions to help the moving process go smoothly for residents and your staff members.
Provide multiple visits before move-in
If your community doesn’t meet up to the resident’s expectations, it’s often because not enough research was done on the facility. Finding the right assisted living community is a process that involves the prospective resident investigating different properties and getting a clear idea of the services offered. You don’t want to move someone through the sales funnel so quickly that they agree to move-in before getting a realistic picture of what life is like.
It’s important to conduct in-person tours. Touring the senior living facility lets them get a real-life image of the facility and it gives them the opportunity to ask questions. It should be encouraged to take as many on-site tours as they need before deciding.
Of course, some people aren’t going to be able to tour the facility in person. That’s why you need to have up-to-date visuals on your site. You may opt for virtual tours, pre-recorded videos or moving images to represent your property. You also need staff that can easily answer any questions over the phone.
Promote upcoming social events
While it’s not essential anyone to immediately dive into activities on day one, they should be encouraged to gradually socialize within the community. There’s no need for anyone to feel isolated when there is a social network a few steps away.
One of the best ways to make sure residents are engaged is to spread awareness of events and activities. These can be spread through email, social media platforms and word-of-mouth. When residents move, you can also provide them with an activity calendar of everything going on throughout the year.
During the touring process, you should have also taken the time to learn about their individual interests. If a guest is interested in health and wellness, you can hand them flyers to yoga sessions or fitness courses. If they’re more interested in the arts, let them know about any arts and crafts workshops. Stay dedicated to promoting the most pertinent activities.
Encourage personalization
Before they pack their bags and move into the facility, make sure to communicate what is already provided. During the tour, you can give them an idea of what the default package looks like. That’s why if something is not to their liking, they can bring their own. Typically, seniors begin downsizing before they move into a community.
If any seniors are open to their rooms being toured through, that can also give prospects an idea of the potential they have for their living space.
Bridge gaps in communication and help in scheduling visits
In our current climate, communicating virtually is the safest way to go. You can provide the technology yourself or you can bridge the gap for anyone that may not be technologically savvy. If there is a specific protocol for inviting guests, make sure the resident (and even their family members) are well informed during these times.
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