If you have elderly loved ones in assisted living, regular visits with family members and friends are beneficial to their quality of life. However, if you have young children that will be coming with you to see your loved one, it’s important to prepare beforehand to ensure the visit goes smoothly. When taking a child to assisted living, utilize the following tips to get the most out of your time.

Tips for Taking a Child to Assisted Living

Have a Conversation With Your Child

Before going to see your loved one, talk with your child about what they can expect during their visit. Speak with your child about respecting everyone they encounter, including the other residents and employees. Explain that you’re visiting someone’s home, so they should follow the same rules they would when staying at a friend’s house.

Bring Entertainment

If your child is especially energetic, bring some entertainment options they can use during the visit. Choose board games, puzzles, or coloring books that everyone can enjoy together. This will not only encourage good behavior from the child, but it will also open up a bonding opportunity.

Ask Your Child Questions

After their first visit, ask your child if they have any questions about the visit. They may wonder why their loved one needed to move to an assisted living facility or may simply want to know when they can visit again. This is a good opportunity to talk to your child about how special their visit was with their loved one and how appreciated it was.

Make It a Routine

If the visit went well, establish a routine visit time. Whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly, both your child and your parent will benefit from the regular intergenerational social time. Additionally, this gives you a chance to check in with your parents and see how they’re adjusting to life in their new home.

Abbington Assisted Living is proud to serve seniors throughout Columbus, Pickerington, Powell, Chillicothe, and Coshocton, Ohio. Abbington senior living communities are one-story buildings designed with comfort and security in mind, offering comprehensive assisted living services in a compassionate, comfortable, and cost-effective manner.  Please visit our website or call us directly to schedule a tour: Arlington/Columbus (614) 451-4575; Pickerington (614) 577-0822; Powell (614) 789-9868; Chillicothe (740) 773-4630; Coshocton (740) 623-4600.