Moving into an assisted living community is a significant change for seniors. It can cause them to feel emotional because they leave their home, neighborhood, and often long-standing friendships behind.
It is essential for adult children to effectively communicate with their elderly parents to help them get through this challenging transition. Setting up a visiting schedule before the move can make them feel secure, knowing that loved ones will visit them regularly.
Do Your Research
The transition to assisted living can feel daunting for everyone involved. It is a significant change and a huge step in life, but it isn’t something that needs to be rushed. Take your time to learn more about the communities you are considering and visit them early to find the right fit. Learn about dining options, programming, amenities, and more, and ask many questions.
Some seniors may be ready for assisted living before they know they need to make the move. Look for signs that it’s time to move, such as a decline in physical health and difficulty with everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, or shoveling. If you are unsure, discuss it with your loved ones. Having other trusted family members involved can offer different perspectives on the need to move and help ease your parent’s anxiety about this new chapter.
Schedule a Visit
Visiting the facility of assisted living, Saint Petersburg, Florida, and familiarizing yourself with their new environment is the best way to help your loved one adjust. Please encourage them to meet their neighbors, reminding them they all had the same transition. This is an excellent way for them to meet people who can serve as friends and even a resource network during this adjustment time.
The process of downsizing can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Creating lists of items and sorting through possessions in an organized manner can make this task less intimidating. Then, incorporating cherished belongings in their new living space will make them feel welcome. If they cannot bring their entire home, the community may offer storage options to help ease the transition.
Pack a Box
Moving into an assisted living community is a big move for everyone involved. Your loved one may be homesick, they will need to adjust their social network, and there are often many logistics to tackle.
It is also essential to prepare your elderly parent for this transition. Ensure them they won’t be forgotten or alone in their new home. They will likely have family nearby that will visit regularly, and if they don’t have any local friends, they can always stay connected with far-away loved ones through phone calls or video chats.
Lastly, they will need to pack up their belongings. It is a good idea to go through things, donate items they no longer need or use, and eliminate duplicates.
Talk to the Staff
Assisted living communities are staffed by caregivers and community staff who can help your loved one if they feel lost or lonely. Encourage your parent to get to know the people caring for them, and visit with these new friends regularly. Please encourage them to go to social events and try the activities offered by the community, too.
While this might not be the most accessible conversation, it is vital for your parent’s quality of life. This ongoing conversation can help them see that the move isn’t a downgrade but an improvement for their health and well-being. These ongoing conversations will also allow you to monitor your loved one’s health and well-being, ensuring their needs are met.
Make the Move
The move to assisted living is a massive change for many seniors, especially since they are moving from a larger home with multiple rooms into a smaller apartment. They may experience anxiety, sadness, regret, and anger about downsizing and the loss of a sense of independence.
It’s essential to be patient with your loved one during the transition and to encourage them to participate in activities offered in the new community. This will help the new place feel like home and make them more comfortable in their new environment.
Hire a professional moving company to take care of all the physical labor involved in the move, which will reduce your parent’s stress levels considerably. Renting a storage unit is also a good idea to keep items that your parents won’t be able to fit into their new apartments.
