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The time has come. You have made your decision. Months, maybe years have passed and you have moved into your senior housing. Some things are not the way you had hoped. You feel disappointed on some fronts. You ask yourself, “What was I thinking when I made this decision?”
But wait. You thought about this decision. You prayed over it. Don’t second guess yourself. It takes awhile to adjust to new surroundings. Give yourself time.
Some of what you are feeling is sadness and grief. You have said, “Good-bye.” to your home and many of your things. You realize you are at the finish line of your life. There is some sadness to that. You are also in a neighborhood of people who are experiencing the same things. Not all of them are very self aware. You may not feel very self aware yourself. Some have faith, some don’t. It’s quite a neighborhood. God has put you here to love and be loved.
How do I adjust to my new surroundings?
- Get to know the people around you. Wear your name badge. Go to meals. Go to activities that interest you. Introduce yourself and ask them their names…over and over again! You’ll remember them soon. Some people will stand out that you will see often and enjoy. There will be one or two that you are meant to love and minister to. Others will minister to you and it will be mutual. You will find things you have in common. But it won’t happen in a couple of weeks. Just as in real life, it will take time.
- Recognize that you won’t enjoy everything about the community and the people. It’s okay. You will find a group of people that you like a lot, but you can be friendly to everyone. As time goes one, you will find your people.
- You will find that some in the community are more impaired than others. Be kind to them. We are all on a trajectory. Some are further down the road. We may be there someday. I’m around a lot of people who are hard of hearing now. I’m also around many people who have memory issues at all kinds of levels. I have to be kind and patient with them just as they have to be patient with my memory issues.
- Find a way to be kind to staff. Yes, they need to do their job, but we can be kind and polite when there are problems.
- Learn what the system is for getting things done in the various departments you have to deal with. It will simplify your life. Yes, you will have to learn new things along the way, but a simpler life in the long run is good.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. SelahI will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.Psalm 32:7-10 ESV
Sorry I didn’t get this all put together last week. But here it is. I’m in the middle of this part. I think that makes it more difficult to write about. MB
