Tips for Transitioning to an Assisted Living Community

Moving your loved one into an assisted living community can be a challenging time for any family. This is especially true for the person who will be making the move. A new place, new neighbors and new caretakers can be a lot for someone of an advanced age to think about. Here are some tips on how to make an assisted living transition a little bit easier on your loved one.

Visit the Community

It's important for your loved one to check out the community before making the transition. If they are on-board and optimistic about the move, then visiting several communities may be an option for your loved one. If they aren't looking forward to the change or have become stubborn, caregivers may want to consider narrowing it down so their loved one sees the one that might be the best solution. Either way, make sure you introduce them to the grounds, amenities and staff ahead of time. This will allow them to feel more comfortable when the time for the actual move comes.

Sort Through Possessions

Your loved one may have accumulated so many possessions over the years that the family is forced to wade through everything. Some items can be given to family, others might be sold to help defray the moving or assisted living costs, and other items still can be donated to Goodwill or The Salvation Army for a tax deduction. But amidst all of the sorting, make sure to set aside items that your loved one can take along to the new place. Depending on the type of facility, they may be able to take items as large as furniture, or only as small as picture frames. Ask the facility for their guidelines. By placing a few items in the room, it'll give your loved one a remembrance of home.

Monitor Your Loved Ones Health

While transitioning someone to an assisted living facility can be a relief medically, it doesn't mean you don't still have to keep an eye on their health. After all, you know your loved one better than the staff. If you start to see signs or symptoms of an ailment or declining health, it's okay to let the staff know. They'll be more than happy to be made aware.

Key Takeaways:

• Visit the assisted living community ahead of time with your loved one so they are not suddenly surprised when they are moved there.
• Sort through possessions; identify a few key items that your loved one can bring to the facility. Sell, donate or give family members the rest.
• Monitor your loved one’s health while at the assisted living facility. Alerting the staff to a potential issue will only benefit your loved one in the long term.