Moving is stressful for all of us, but it can be particularly difficult for senior citizens moving out of their present home and into an assisted living facility. While there are certainly many advantages to assisted living, the move and the first weeks in the new place can be challenging. Here are a few tips that might make the process smoother for you or your loved one.
The first thing you have to do is find a good facility and these days most areas offer a variety of assisted living options. If you can find a place close to family and friends, this certainly is a huge advantage and definitely can lessen anxiety. To find a suitable facility, talk to friends and ask for recommendations or use a company that specializes in finding assisted living communities. CarePlacement.com, for instance, will look at all of your needs as well as your budget and the amenities you want and find a matching facility in your area.
Once you find a place that seems comfortable, it is time to get ready to move out of the old home and into the new one. Assisted living facilities generally offer small apartments, ranging from studio units to two-bedroom units. This means that most of your possessions will not fit into the new home. This can be one of the hardest parts of the move. If you are a child helping your parent with this process, patience and compassion are essential. After all, your parent has spent a lifetime acquiring these possessions, many of which have good memories attached to them.
It's sometimes best to simply begin with the easy stuff. Get rid of items that typically have little emotional connection, such as appliances and items that are never used. Your parent might want to give a few items away to relatives or friends, and this can be a wonderful and treasured gift. If the whole process truly is too overwhelming, simply carefully pack up items that are not needed, label them well and then put them into a self-storage facility. Rather than worry or argue, just keep some of the most precious items and make decisions later. This process might be easier once your loved one has adjusted to the new home.
It is very wise to take some items that really provide comfort, such as photographs or perhaps special decorations and a few pieces of artwork. While your new apartment might not be huge, it can still be homey and welcoming. Remind yourself or your loved one that one of the biggest advantages of assisted living is that you don't have to deal with many chores, such as keeping up a big house and yard. Housekeeping and laundry usually are included in the monthly fees, and your meals are prepared for you, as well, which means you don't have to deal with mundane chores and can simply do what you like.
Assisted living communities vary, but generally they offer a variety of activities, classes and other amenities. The whole idea is that the community should be a fun place to be, but while the social aspect is important, residents need to spend time with friends and family that don't live in the facility. Set up visiting times and plan special events, even if it's just going out to dinner or to the movies. If you are the child of a resident, come and eat lunch or dinner and spend some time getting to know staff members as well as any new friends your parents make.
The first thing you have to do is find a good facility and these days most areas offer a variety of assisted living options. If you can find a place close to family and friends, this certainly is a huge advantage and definitely can lessen anxiety. To find a suitable facility, talk to friends and ask for recommendations or use a company that specializes in finding assisted living communities. CarePlacement.com, for instance, will look at all of your needs as well as your budget and the amenities you want and find a matching facility in your area.
Once you find a place that seems comfortable, it is time to get ready to move out of the old home and into the new one. Assisted living facilities generally offer small apartments, ranging from studio units to two-bedroom units. This means that most of your possessions will not fit into the new home. This can be one of the hardest parts of the move. If you are a child helping your parent with this process, patience and compassion are essential. After all, your parent has spent a lifetime acquiring these possessions, many of which have good memories attached to them.
It's sometimes best to simply begin with the easy stuff. Get rid of items that typically have little emotional connection, such as appliances and items that are never used. Your parent might want to give a few items away to relatives or friends, and this can be a wonderful and treasured gift. If the whole process truly is too overwhelming, simply carefully pack up items that are not needed, label them well and then put them into a self-storage facility. Rather than worry or argue, just keep some of the most precious items and make decisions later. This process might be easier once your loved one has adjusted to the new home.
It is very wise to take some items that really provide comfort, such as photographs or perhaps special decorations and a few pieces of artwork. While your new apartment might not be huge, it can still be homey and welcoming. Remind yourself or your loved one that one of the biggest advantages of assisted living is that you don't have to deal with many chores, such as keeping up a big house and yard. Housekeeping and laundry usually are included in the monthly fees, and your meals are prepared for you, as well, which means you don't have to deal with mundane chores and can simply do what you like.
Assisted living communities vary, but generally they offer a variety of activities, classes and other amenities. The whole idea is that the community should be a fun place to be, but while the social aspect is important, residents need to spend time with friends and family that don't live in the facility. Set up visiting times and plan special events, even if it's just going out to dinner or to the movies. If you are the child of a resident, come and eat lunch or dinner and spend some time getting to know staff members as well as any new friends your parents make.
About the Author:
Agatha Lebouef enjoys reading home health care blogs. For more information about assisted living San Marcos facilities or for expert help finding board and care Dana Point services, please go to the CarePlacement website now.
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