Your Guide to Transitioning Seamlessly to an Assisted Living Community
From mobility to memory problems, seniors face several daily challenges that can inhibit their quality of life. Joining the 800,000 Americans who live in assisted living communities may be a jarring shift, but it's a necessary one for many families.
Here, we're going to talk about:
- Why elderly care communities are helpful for older adults
- Broaching the topic of moving to an assisted living community with senior loved ones
- Planning relocation
- How to move the right way
Read on to enhance your loved one's well-being with community amenities and events.
Understanding Assisted Living Benefits
If you're considering moving your parent or grandparent into senior living, you likely have some questions and concerns. It's a big decision that can impact both your loved one and the rest of the family. This includes you!
Knowing the benefits of an assisted living community can make you feel more confident in your decision to get care for your loved one. Some advantages include:
- Resort-style apartment living
- Housekeeping and cleaning services
- Community common areas and amenities
- Chef-prepared nutritional meals
- Daily help with bathing/dressing/using the bathroom
- Cognitive exercises to boost memory
- Socialization opportunities with other residents
- Community events and excursions
- Easy and accessible transportation
Assisted living communities are also built for accessibility with:
- Wide doorways
- Wide hallways
- Wheelchair ramps
- Grab bars
- Handrails
Talking With Your Older Loved One
To reap these many benefits, your parent or grandparent will need to agree to move into assisted living. This can be challenging since most older adults want to age in place.
Unfortunately, aging in place is often not a feasible option for those who need more help. Talking to your loved one about assisted living is essential.
One important thing to do is listen to your loved one's concerns. Take them seriously. You also should:
- Start the conversation early
- Talk in a private and comfortable place (like at home)
- Explain why you think moving to assisted living is a good idea
- Be empathetic to heightened emotions
- Research good communities and print out photos to show them
- Involve other family members who might have relevant information
- Stress that you will visit regularly
- Talk about the benefits of assisted living and make them sound exciting
They likely have misconceptions about what assisted living communities are like. Do your research and be ready to explain the reality of a top Bellefontaine community. Dispelling these misconceptions will likely make them feel better about moving.
Scheduling a Tour
The best way to put your older loved one's fears to rest is to let them see the community they could live in. This will show them that it's not scary.
A tour will:
- Show them how well-appointed the community is
- Give them a feel for what their apartment will be like
- Showcase how tight-knit community residents are
- Give them the opportunity to meet potential friends
- Let them see the awesome social activities and programs in place
- Let them try chef-prepared meals in the dining area
- Be a good chance to ask questions about care
Once your loved one sees how nice Campbell Place's amenities are, they're more likely to view moving as an adventure.
Your loved one will be more likely to see the transition as the first step toward a new life stage. They're less likely to keep viewing it as the beginning of the end.
Planning Senior Relocation
Personalized care plans are one of the best things about senior living.
No two older adults have exactly the same needs. Some may have sharp minds, but high mobility support needs. Others might be in great physical shape but suffer from dementia.
Before your loved one moves in, we'll sit down with them and talk about their needs. You will be there too to provide input.
We'll figure out:
- What daily support your loved one needs
- How they can get that support
- What a care plan might look like
Together, we'll come up with a personally tailored plan that maximizes the new resident's quality of life.
Contending With Practicalities
Getting elderly care advice from professionals is important, but so are the technical aspects of transitioning to assisted living.
Financial preparation means looking into your budget and determining how much you can spend on long-term care. You might also consider getting:
- Elderly care insurance
- Medicaid support
- Government-sponsored assistance
- Private loans
Then, consider updating legal documents like:
- Power of attorney
- Wills
- Trusts
- Advance medical directives
Senior Transition Tips: Packing the Right Way
Strategic packing is critical when moving to assisted living. Create a detailed moving checklist. Consult your transitioning loved one about what should be on the checklist, too.
Some essential things to pack include:
- Medications
- Cleaning supplies (paper towels, dish soap, etc)
- Kitchenware
- Toiletries (toothbrushes, shampoo, etc)
- Clothes
- Non-slip bathmat
- Extra towels
- Comfortable sofas and chairs
- Coffee tables/end tables
- Lamps
- Flashlights
- Hangers
- Outlet strips
Seniors also feel more at home when they bring:
- Personal wall art and photos
- Small decor
- Comfort objects
- Extra pillows
- Throw blankets
- Mattress pads
- Radios
- Clocks
Sort through belongings. Consider enlisting a professional organizer for help if need be.
Bringing Pets Along
Top Bellefontaine, OH, communities also allow seniors to bring their pets with them.
Pets are family, and many people consider them to be just as important as other human family members. They provide companionship and make major transitions like moving easier.
Animals provide structure and purpose for seniors going about their daily lives. They need to be fed at specific times and require regular engagement.
They're a great reason to get out of bed in the morning and provide a sense of fulfillment.
Schedule a vet visit. Get animals checked out before they move. Then, pack up pet supplies for a seamless transition.
Find an Assisted Living Community in Bellefontaine
Now that you know how to transition to an assisted living community as easily as possible, it's time to begin the process of making this big life change.
Campbell Place Assisted Living is excited to help seniors move into our well-appointed community. We'll answer any questions that new residents and their families have.
You can rely on our social programs and daily assistance to retain your loved one's quality of life, so contact us to schedule a tour of our community!