No matter what age we are, having a roommate poses many challenges. Whether it’s quirky habits or personality clashes, sharing your living space with someone else is not always easy. For those who have lived on their own for most of their life, such as an elderly senior, may find it even more difficult to adjust to living with someone new. Here are some tips if your elderly loved one is having a hard time getting along with their assisted living roommate. 

Talk to Your Assisted Living Administrator

More than likely, you’ve probably been notified of the discord between your elderly loved one and their roommate from the assisted living administrator. They may have some good suggestions on how to resolve the conflict so your elderly loved one can have the best assisted living experience possible. Open dialogue with the directors and staff of the assisted living community can make all the difference in helping address all your concerns.

Openly Discuss the Problem

If your elderly loved one may be “tolerating” their roommate, but has confided in you that they are unhappy, openly discuss the problem with them and ask them how they feel the issue can be resolved. If it’s a small problem such as their roommate keeps the TV on too loud at night, it could be solved by simply asking their roommate to compromise and turn down the volume. 

Request a Different Roommate

If the disagreements or differences go beyond keeping the TV too loud, it may be time to request a new roommate. When choosing a new roommate, speak with the assisted living administrator to help you find the right person that will complement your elderly loved one’s personality as well as their own quirky habits.

Request a Private Room

If you’ve exhausted all possibilities in resolving the roommate issue, you may need to request a private room for your elderly loved one. Depending on your budget, discuss with the assisted living administrator on the different types of rooms and living arrangements that would be in line with your budget. 

Adjusting to an assisted living community can be stressful for an elderly adult, but with the above tips and the help of a caring staff, they can overcome the hardest obstacles! For more information on how The Arbors Assisted Living can help your elderly loved one, contact us to schedule a tour at one of our five convenient locations today!