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1 Oct, 2024
12 Min Read
On a beautiful fall day a son is in the process of moving his mother into an assisted living facility. For this family today is a significant life transition. While he knows it is the right decision, with the rising demands of raising young kids and managing busy schedules her adjustment period weighed heavily on his mind.
It’s natural to wonder how someone will adapt to such a change in their life. Will they feel at home? Will the care meet the same standard provided at home? How would they process beginning this new chapter in their life? These questions, and the emotions behind them, are common for any family facing this new step in aging parents.
The experience made it clear just how important consistent family updates are going to be in the assisted living community. The updates help to build trust, ease worries, and strengthen the connection between families, care providers, and the community.
In this article, I’ll share why transparent communication matters, how it helps families stay informed and engaged, and how new tools—like BUDS Technology’s virtual assistant, Akssi makes these updates easier, faster, and more effective for modern families.
Why Transparent Communication Matters
For many families, choosing an assisted living option isn’t easy. There are many things to consider: health, medication management, daily living support, emotional needs, and financial obligation.
Once the decision is made, staying in the loop becomes very important. Regular and clear updates from the assisted living community give families peace of mind and helps them feel confident in the care being provided.
Good communication also helps the staff understand each resident specific needs. Families can share personal traditions, health history, or special preferences that improve personalized care. This creates a stronger relationship between caregivers, residents, and family members, ensuring everyone is working together in the resident’s best interests.
What Families Want to Know
Families usually want to hear more than just “everything is fine.” They want real, honest updates about their loved one's well-being. Some of the most valued updates include:
- Health status, especially any changes in condition
- Medication updates and management plans
- Participation in community events or social activities
- Emotional and mental health
- Changes in appetite, sleep, or mood
- Notes from caregivers or activity coordinators
- Any concerns about safety or mobility
By receiving regular updates, families are better equipped to provide emotional support, ask the right questions, and be more actively involved in their loved one’s care.
How Assisted Living Family Updates Build Trust
Frequent updates show that the assisted living facility values transparency and collaboration. When families feel informed, they are less likely to worry or imagine the worst. They’re also more likely to visit regularly, make phone calls, or spend time during events, all of which improve the resident’s quality of life.
When communication is consistent, it also makes it easier to talk about concerns. For example, if there’s a decline in mobility or cognitive abilities, families can work with the staff to consider specialized care. This kind of teamwork strengthens trust and leads to better care decisions.
Involving Families in the Decision-Making Process
In many cases, residents and families must make choices together, whether it’s about meals, new treatments, or transitioning to memory care. Transparent updates help everyone feel informed and ready to contribute to the decision-making process.
For example, if a resident with early memory loss begins showing signs of confusion more frequently, families need timely information to explore options like increased supervision or implementing a new routine.
The Role of Technology in Family Communication
Keeping every family member updated can be a challenge, especially when caregivers have limited time. That’s where technology comes in.
BUDS Technology’s virtual medical assistant, Akssi, offers a smart solution. Akssi uses Remote Symptom Monitoring (RPSM) and Remote Vital Sign Monitoring (RPM) to track over 200 symptoms and detect changes in a resident’s condition.
When something shifts, whether it’s a drop in blood pressure or a new complaint about pain, Akssi can automatically notifies notify clinicians and family members, ensuring that nothing gets missed.
This system supports patient first care by keeping everyone in the loop. It’s especially helpful for families who live far away and can’t visit regularly. With Akssi, updates are not only accurate but also sent in real-time, allowing families to respond quickly when needed.
Some of the helpful features of Akssi include:
- Daily health check-ins
- Alerts for concerning symptoms
- Support with medication management
- Automatic updates are shared with both staff and families
- Easy tracking of health trends over time
This kind of communication tool can provide peace of mind for families and help caregivers focus more on hands-on support instead of manual reporting.
How to Stay Involved as a Family Member
Even with great tools and updates, it’s important to encourage family involvement in other ways too.
Some practical suggestions for family involvement in assisted living include:
- Visiting frequently when possible
- Joining community events or activities
- Talking regularly with staff
- Making short phone calls to check in
- Sharing photos, stories, or family traditions
- Helping with tasks like decorating rooms or organizing belongings
These actions help residents feel connected to the outside world and reduce feelings of isolation. They also allow families to see first-hand how their loved one is doing and build relationships with caregivers.
What to Look For in an Assisted Living Community
If you’re still exploring assisted living options, here are a few signs of a facility that values family communication:
- Regularly scheduled updates via email, text, or app
- Staff who are open to calls and questions
- A clear system for reporting health or behavior changes
- Options to attend care planning meetings
- Opportunities to get involved in community life
Facilities that prioritize family updates and openness tend to have better outcomes for residents. They also build stronger bonds between families and caregivers.
Final Thoughts
Assisted living family updates are more than just routine check-ins; they’re a primary part of building trust, improving care, and helping families feel connected. Whether it’s through in-person conversations, quick phone calls, or smart tools like Akssi, clear and consistent communication makes a difference.
At BUDS Technology, we believe families should feel confident that their loved ones are being well cared for. That’s why we’re proud to offer tools that support the full care circle, from the caregivers to the family members, and the facility making it easier to stay informed and involved.
Don't undervalue the need of providing candid, frequent updates if you're beginning to look at assisted living possibilities or assisting a loved one in relocating to an assisted living community. They can help guide decisions and ease worry so everyone can focus on what really matters: the resident’s well-being and quality of life.
