Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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“Sometimes people are apprehensive about giving up their independence, but these people often are getting to be very lonely because they have been losing their social contacts,” said Daniels, who has been in the long-term care industry for about eight years. “When people in this situation get settled into a facility such as ours, they tend to reestablish their social lives.”
Daniels has seen a complete personality change — for the better — occur in new residents of assisted living facilities.
“We’ll see a complete, 180-degree turn in someone’s personality,” Daniels said. “We get folks who, for whatever reason, have been secluding themselves in their homes. Once people like that come here, they tend to be a little bit reluctant to interact with other residents, because they do not know anyone here and they are not sure what to expect. Once they find out that everyone is welcoming and there are a lot of different things going on, they become social butterflies. They meet new people and come out of their cocoons.”
Daniels, a native of Thomasville, advises potential assisted living center residents to spend time in such a place before making a decision to move there.
“It’s hard to get an idea of what a community is like just by looking at a brochure or an advertisement,” she said. “Someone who is considering to make such a change should visit different communities. On these visits, they should get a feel of the community.”
The executive director stressed that getting to know what a community is like is more than checking out its physical appearance.
“You should have a meal there and see what the food’s like,” Daniels said. “Talk to the residents who are already there, and learn how they feel about the place. Residents of places like this tend to be very open and will give a frank answer to such a question. It will also be helpful if a potential resident learns about the activities of such a place.”
Daniels stressed that those considering such an important lifestyle change lean toward people they trust to help them come to a conclusion in making such a decision.
“I always encourage folks that if they’re hesitant about the direction they want to go, they should get their family members involved in the decision-making process,” she said. “If they don’t have family, perhaps they could get their minister or a close friend to help them with that decision.”
The Oaks of Thomasville, located at 915 W. Cooksey Drive, is the first assisted living center developed by H.H. Hunt. The Blacksburg, Va.-based company, which opened the Thomasville facility in 1991, now has assisted living communities in four different states. It operates the Oaks and other such centers through its Senior Living Division.
“We have 50 residents here,” Daniels said. “The oldest is 100 years old. Some of our residents are still quite independent. They keep their cars here and come and go as they please.”
There are reasons, Daniels noted, for moving to an assisted living center, even for those who still drive and get around.
“People who move here no longer have to worry about preparing meals, doing laundry or keeping their house up,” she said. “They also have the peace of mind in knowing that they can be cared for when their needs become greater.”
Daniels said she sees new residents increase their interest in other aspects of life once they move to the assisted living center.
“People find new hobbies and get interested in things they never thought they would be interested in,” she said. “I credit that in part to Tammy Burris, our activities director. She takes our people out on outings and gives them a chance to expand their horizons.”
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 230, or at reid@tvilletimes.com.