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.
When you do select items, consider taking things that enhance the ambiance of the apartment without adding a great deal of clutter. This could include hanging photographs or artwork on the walls and bringing curtains from your old home and perhaps a small bookshelf that can hold a few mementos and photo albums. While you might miss some of your possessions, it also can be nice to not have to attend to some of life's more mundane chores such as housecleaning or laundry or even cooking. All of these are done for you, and this means you have more time for enjoyable activities.
Another advantage of assisted living facilities is that most offer a wide mix of amenities, from great food, exercise classes, social events and perhaps even a swimming pool. All of those items are included, but there also might be an on-site spa or hair salon. While this will cost extra, it can be very convenient to have this close by. Family members should schedule visitations at convenient times and also take part in activities at the facility or even enjoy dinner or lunch with their loved one. While most facilities offer transportation to places such as the movies, shops and doctor's offices, don't forget to take your loved one places, as well. Going out to dinner or to family events is always a great idea, so don't forget to include your parent whenever possible.
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.
When you do select items, consider taking things that enhance the ambiance of the apartment without adding a great deal of clutter. This could include hanging photographs or artwork on the walls and bringing curtains from your old home and perhaps a small bookshelf that can hold a few mementos and photo albums. While you might miss some of your possessions, it also can be nice to not have to attend to some of life's more mundane chores such as housecleaning or laundry or even cooking. All of these are done for you, and this means you have more time for enjoyable activities.
Another advantage of assisted living facilities is that most offer a wide mix of amenities, from great food, exercise classes, social events and perhaps even a swimming pool. All of those items are included, but there also might be an on-site spa or hair salon. While this will cost extra, it can be very convenient to have this close by. Family members should schedule visitations at convenient times and also take part in activities at the facility or even enjoy dinner or lunch with their loved one. While most facilities offer transportation to places such as the movies, shops and doctor's offices, don't forget to take your loved one places, as well. Going out to dinner or to family events is always a great idea, so don't forget to include your parent whenever possible.
About the Author:
Agatha Lebouef loves reading home health care blogs. For more information about assisted living San Marcos facilities or for help finding board and care Dana Point services, please go to the CarePlacement.com website today.
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