Frequently Asked Questions

It is common for adult children to encounter resistance from their parents. If you think about it, they have worked a lifetime to gain and maintain their independence. Once they are established in a comfortable place and have a routine they are used to, it is very difficult for them to imagine moving. More than the idea of giving up a home that is becoming increasingly difficult to take care of, most people we talk to simply cannot mentally or physically imagine how they could possibly accomplish such a daunting task even if they want to do it.

We suggest that adult children take a positive, coordinated approach. Get the whole family on board for the move. Have family talk with the parent so that they understand that their entire support system will facilitate the move, they are not expected to do it alone. Have a general plan in place so that the big decisions have already been thought out and you have answers to their questions about how, when, where, what, and what if.

Take your parent out of the chaos. Particularly when someone has dementia, chaotic or stressful situations confuse and upset them. We suggest that you have the apartment all set up for Mom or Dad before they arrive at Woodland Ridge. Have someone take them out for the day on moving day. After visiting a friend, shopping, and going to lunch, bring them to their new apartment with their favorite things in place, set up and waiting to welcome them.

No one adjusts to new surroundings over night. In general, we see new residents become acclimated and enjoying their new supportive lifestyle with new friends within 30-days. When it’s time to move, safety, security, good nutrition and hydration, good hygiene, medication management, and socialization all outweigh sentimental attachments or resistance to change.

We’ll be happy to consult with you and make recommendations about the logistics of making the move. We have lots of resources we’re happy to share to help making the move a smooth and easy transition.

The good news is that your Mom is in rehab and recovering from her injury with a brand new hip. For the elderly, recovery is not the same as it once was. As with all of us, they recover more quickly and with better long-term results than ever before. Still, going back to a home that no longer serves her needs is asking for another accident.

Rather than pushing absolute decisions, her recovery should continue to be day-by-day. Once she is released from rehab, bring her to Woodland Ridge for Respite Care. Here, she can continue to get physical therapy, strengthen, have 24-hour watchful oversight, and assistance with the activities of daily living until everyone is comfortable with a return to her home. It is very likely that, once she makes friends and experiences our community from the inside, she’ll be satisfied to make it her permanent home.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive disease that has a wide range of symptoms. With proper medication management, cognitive stimulation, good nutrition and hydration, physical conditioning, and trained caregivers who understand how to communicate with residents suffering from memory loss, we can often slow the progress of the disease and help to maintain a better mental and physical function for a more natural aging process. Where there is no cure, we now have effective medications and experienced professionals that help us to provide the highest possible quality of life for each of our residents.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a disease of the mind, not of the spirit. Our goal is to allow each individual resident the dignity of doing as much as possible independently but with the watchful oversight of our well trained and highly experienced staff. This is all part of our "Friends for Life" program at Woodland Ridge.