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When a daughter introduces her father to an assisted living community
I met a wonderful father and daughter the other day… I was skeptical when this woman called me and told me that her 94-year-old father who is completely independent needs to move into an assisted living facility. My skepticism started when I asked her how her father feels about the move and her reply to me was, “he doesn’t want to leave his home.” Being that he is still very independent to the point that he still drives, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to persuade him to leave his home of 33 years.
When they arrived at the first assisted living community, the elderly man was super sweet but also very emotional. He was surprised to see that the facility was not at all what he envisioned because, throughout his life, he assumed an assisted living facility was more like a hospital type setting. When he saw restaurant-style dining, modern apartments of many styles, and all the activities offered, his demeanor changed. He was eager to tour with an open mind.
We sat with the sales consultant from the assisted living facility and he shared his story about losing his wife of 70 and a half years, how he and his wife were very active to include ran many marathons and how he lost his sweetie two years ago. He told us how he prayed daily asking God to take him so he is able to be with his wife again. He cried as he shared how lonely he felt, the anxiety he suffers from, and how he sleeps to make time pass by quicker. I think I shed a tear or two… okay, I’ll be honest, I had tears sliding down my cheeks.
I glanced a few times to find his daughter holding back tears but also hoping her father would see the benefits of moving into a senior living community so she could have peace of mind. She eventually shared her concerns with her father telling him that she worries when he doesn’t answer his phone, when he tells her he is driving on the highway, and learning that he is barely eating anymore which gives her major anxiety. She did share with us that she bought a dog, buddy for her father so he had a companion to help with his depression and loneliness.
We walked arm in arm at different assisted living facilities as we followed the different sales directors and his daughter. Once he found the perfect assisted living facility to call home, he made a point to tell me that his wife would love the place and he wasn’t sure why he didn’t move into an assisted living facility when she was still alive. I could feel his pain and love and thought about my own marriage… Every part of the community we made a point to include his dog, Buddy. Was the apartment large enough for Buddy to play? Was there a walking trail for Buddy to get exercise? Were there other dogs in the community for Buddy to play with?
As we continue to tour the community, he thanked me over and over. He told me he was so happy that his daughter called North Star Senior Advisors. He praised me for being good at my job and also told me to keep helping more seniors in similar situations. If there were ever a moment I considered changing careers, he definitely snapped me out of it because I felt his sincerity in his gratitude.
Once we found the appropriate apartment with a perfect view of the dog park, he sobbed and said, “it’s perfect.” He turned to his daughter and said, I don’t know why I didn’t look into this sooner and his daughter replied, “dad, we’re here now.” Her father hugged her tight and thanked her for introducing him to an assisted living facility. They held each other for at least thirty seconds. I couldn’t help but think about my own family members. One day, I may be that daughter…. North Star Senior Advisors, we are more than just Senior Placement. We love what we do.
Share this article on social media!
When a daughter introduces her father to an assisted living community
I met a wonderful father and daughter the other day… I was skeptical when this woman called me and told me that her 94-year-old father who is completely independent needs to move into an assisted living facility. My skepticism started when I asked her how her father feels about the move and her reply to me was, “he doesn’t want to leave his home.” Being that he is still very independent to the point that he still drives, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to persuade him to leave his home of 33 years.
When they arrived at the first assisted living community, the elderly man was super sweet but also very emotional. He was surprised to see that the facility was not at all what he envisioned because, throughout his life, he assumed an assisted living facility was more like a hospital type setting. When he saw restaurant-style dining, modern apartments of many styles, and all the activities offered, his demeanor changed. He was eager to tour with an open mind.
We sat with the sales consultant from the assisted living facility and he shared his story about losing his wife of 70 and a half years, how he and his wife were very active to include ran many marathons and how he lost his sweetie two years ago. He told us how he prayed daily asking God to take him so he is able to be with his wife again. He cried as he shared how lonely he felt, the anxiety he suffers from, and how he sleeps to make time pass by quicker. I think I shed a tear or two… okay, I’ll be honest, I had tears sliding down my cheeks.
I glanced a few times to find his daughter holding back tears but also hoping her father would see the benefits of moving into a senior living community so she could have peace of mind. She eventually shared her concerns with her father telling him that she worries when he doesn’t answer his phone, when he tells her he is driving on the highway, and learning that he is barely eating anymore which gives her major anxiety. She did share with us that she bought a dog, buddy for her father so he had a companion to help with his depression and loneliness.
We walked arm in arm at different assisted living facilities as we followed the different sales directors and his daughter. Once he found the perfect assisted living facility to call home, he made a point to tell me that his wife would love the place and he wasn’t sure why he didn’t move into an assisted living facility when she was still alive. I could feel his pain and love and thought about my own marriage… Every part of the community we made a point to include his dog, Buddy. Was the apartment large enough for Buddy to play? Was there a walking trail for Buddy to get exercise? Were there other dogs in the community for Buddy to play with?
As we continue to tour the community, he thanked me over and over. He told me he was so happy that his daughter called North Star Senior Advisors. He praised me for being good at my job and also told me to keep helping more seniors in similar situations. If there were ever a moment I considered changing careers, he definitely snapped me out of it because I felt his sincerity in his gratitude.
Once we found the appropriate apartment with a perfect view of the dog park, he sobbed and said, “it’s perfect.” He turned to his daughter and said, I don’t know why I didn’t look into this sooner and his daughter replied, “dad, we’re here now.” Her father hugged her tight and thanked her for introducing him to an assisted living facility. They held each other for at least thirty seconds. I couldn’t help but think about my own family members. One day, I may be that daughter…. North Star Senior Advisors, we are more than just Senior Placement. We love what we do.
