Springtime 2020 will forever be remembered as the single most bizarre time in
modern America. The ever-present threat of corona virus (COVID-19) has resulted
in radical changes disrupting everyone’s daily routine.
And, for some people, that’s okay.
While most people complain about being stuck at home, unable to meet with friends,
go out to dinner or attend worship services, some find it a welcome respite from the
hectic pace that has become 21st century norm. If this sounds like your loved one they are probably an introvert.
Introverts
By definition, an introvert is someone who prefers calm, minimally stimulating environments.
Socializing, can drain energy and cause anxiety.
For introverts, the thought of community living may bring the kind of unease and
discomfort that extroverts are experiencing with shelter-at-home. It’s new and
different, but it is not necessarily unhealthy or wrong.
Our Daily Pace
Because we live in an extremely engaged social culture, many introverts have
learned to cope with constant over stimulation by putting up a wall, leading people
to believe that they are cold or standoffish. This is not necessarily true. Put simply,
introverts love introspection, require solitude, and engage primarily in focused
communication.
Choosing a home for an introvert
If you are faced with choosing an assisted living facility for an introverted parent
who guards her privacy and shies from group activities, it is most important that
you address these concerns up front — both with the care providers and with your
mom or dad.
Foremost, review with the care provider options for solitude. For example, is it okay for a resident to take her meals in her room on occasion? And are quiet stimuli, such as knitting circles, wine tastings or yoga classes, available? Can
pertinent information be communicated through e-mail, phone calls or text rather
than requiring group meeting attendance?
If you have found the right fit, the answers to these questions should reassure you
that residents’ comfort is of utmost concern and their privacy will be honored.
It is of equal importance to discuss this situation with your parent. The move to
community living is going to necessitate some compromises and adjustments, but
that’s not all bad.
A person who is introverted by nature may have also fallen into
more isolated behavior following the loss of a spouse or friends. If that is the case,
encourage your parent to ease into group activities and see how much interaction
feels comfortable.
Often, when an introvert gives himself permission to seek solitude, life becomes
more comfortable and social situations are more bearable. Dining with a table of
new friends might be a welcome diversion, in moderation. Given the chance to
recharge his battery with alone time, your father might find it easier to participate in
group activities.
Choosing an Assisted Living Community
Address the reality of these obstacles and establish boundaries before deciding on
an assisted living facility. Laying this groundwork will help your parent thrive in his
new living environment.
If you are seeking a new living situation for a loved one or for yourself, Contact us and we’ll do our best to answer all your questions.