Helping Move a Loved One to Assisted Living
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Helping Move a Loved One to Assisted Living
The decision to transition to an assisted living community is difficult for anyone. Aging parents or loved ones have likely lived in their home for decades. In that time, they have collected memories, experiences, and things they may have a hard time letting go.
But the needs of a senior can change in the blink of an eye. Sometimes they are unpredictable and come fast. And the best way to get ahead of any crisis is to plan. If a senior can understand why they need to consider moving into an assisted living community, the process will be easier. But for those who just want to give the senior space, experience other situations that make the need for assisted living care even more apparent.
No matter what approach someone takes to delay a move. Eventually, seniors with involved needs will most likely have to move where they can receive the support they need. When this time comes, you can help make their move easier by taking on responsibilities and helping in any way you can.
Below, we provide insight and advice on what you can do to help a senior loved one with their move to assisted living.
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Preparing for a Move
Getting ready for a move could be months in the making. This process takes time and can feel overwhelming. But breaking it down into actionable items can help reduce stress and make manageable tasks. Before the move, consider things like:
Research
Explore local assisted living communities, their amenities, service structure, and how they serve their residents. There are many options available depending on where you live. If you can’t find the right care, you may have to expand your search. Remember, the most important thing is to ensure your loved one will receive the support they need.
Plan visits to these communities. Seeing the space and interacting with residents and staff lets you learn more about the community and get a feel for their care.
Figure out what you need for the move. If you need to rent a vehicle, how far the community is to your senior loved one’s home, do you need more people to help move things?
Figuring out details like these, and others, will help make the process smoother.
Costs
Knowing what costs are going to look like is critical. This information is going to help when selecting the right community.
Budgeting is a major component in selecting an assisted living community. There are monthly costs involved, fees for pets, and sometimes for other support services.
So, ask all the questions. There is no shame in knowing exactly what you are getting. Which helps ensure that the care fits your budget.
If you are unsure if you can afford the monthly costs, talk to the community team. More than likely, they can help you determine ways to make it work.
Downsizing & Packing
Aside from budgeting, this could be one of the hardest steps of helping a loved one move to an assisted living community.
Letting go can be difficult because our homes are filled with sentimental items. So, be supportive when helping a loved one sort through their belongings. Be mindful that something means a lot to them, even if it makes little sense to you. Their emotional attachment and memories to certain things are something they cherish.
So, do your best to help your loved one manage what they can take and cannot take. When possible, reassure them that the treasured items they cannot take are simply not going to be thrown away. Sometimes, they just want to know that their things hold value to someone other than them and want them to be used.
Another important aspect of this process is to just be patient. Often, adult children do not completely understand how their senior parents feel about their things. So, give them the space to process this change.
Apartments within assisted living communities allow for resident belongings. Talk to the community to find out what you may bring. Some communities even offer move help. Find out if this is a service they offer.
Legal
There are going to be legal aspects involved in moving a senior loved one.
Speak honestly with your senior loved one about their finances, home, utilities, and other financial items. When making the move, you must handle all these, and it is better to have a plan in place when the time comes.
For example, list their address as the assisted living community, but you can request to have their mail sent elsewhere to ensure nothing is missed or lost. Which ensures that nothing falls through the cracks following the move.
During the Move
One of the most important things you can do is continue to be supportive and reassure your loved one. This can be a scary time for them. Big changes in lifestyle, especially ones that affect their daily lives, are going to take time.
So, listen to their concerns and remind them that this is the best choice to ensure they can continue to live the way they like while they get the support they need.
Planning
Follow your plan before the move. Ensure that any help needed is available when it comes time to move and that everything is in place.
Keeping tasks in manageable size will help ensure everything goes according to plan.
Support
Keep open communication with your loved one. When they want to talk, listen to what they have to say. On move day, you could start the day with their favorite breakfast, do the drive together, and make sure they are comfortable any way you can.
Sometimes seniors may feel like they are being abandoned. Reassure them this is not the case and that this move is in their best interest. While it may be strange for a little while, they will have the help they need and can still do the things they enjoy.
Living Space Setup
This is very important to help a loved one adjust to the community.
If possible, take some items like a bedding set, their favorite chair, or anything else that can make their apartment familiar. Include plenty of items like family photos, photo albums, gifts from grandchildren, and other memorabilia.
These items can remind seniors that this is a place where they can feel at home.
After the Move
Just like every aspect of moving a senior loved one to an assisted living community, the time after the move needs its own approach.
Adjustment Period
There will be some time where your loved one may struggle with the change.
So, be there for them. Talk to them about the benefits, the exciting possibilities, and everything else they gain from assisted living.
The support the community provides supplements support from family members.
Over time, your loved one learns that the community is there to help them with ADLs (activities of daily living) and provide any other support they need.
Though the adjustment period varies on the person. Some may just need a few days, while others may need months.
The best thing you can do is simply be there. Be available to talk and listen to them.
Keep in Touch
Depending on your loved one and their comfort level, plan visits. Some may ask for frequent visits or calls and others could be happy with a visit occasionally.
Talk to your loved one and learn what they need. Being there when they need you ensures they do not feel abandoned or forgotten.
But remember to honor their feelings and wishes. If you want to visit, but they do not feel like having a visitor occasionally, do not take it as a personal offense. Boundaries are still important, and you need to ensure you respect them.
Benton House is Here to Help
Not sure where to start?
That’s ok, you are not alone. Let Benton House help!
Our team stands ready to provide support and resources to families seeking help with the care of their senior loved ones. It can be as advice for home care or exploring senior living community options.
We simply want to extend support to caregivers and seniors everywhere.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help, please fill out the form found on this page. One of our team members will contact you as soon as possible. They can answer your questions and can provide more detail regarding our services.
A big lifestyle change like this takes time for both seniors and their families to adjust. Ensure everybody gives themselves grace when getting used to the new support system. If you are curious about how this support works, read our article ‘What is Assisted Living’.
