Moving to an Assisted Living Community
The decision to move yourself or a loved one into an assisted living community is one of the most difficult that families will make. But once the choice is made, a whole new set of challenges await and it can be a daunting and emotionally draining experience.
To help families with the process of moving to assisted living care, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help with the transition.
Supporting the Transition
One of the most important things to do during the transition is to remain positive, especially relatives. It’s a difficult decision to make but once it’s made, don’t criticize it.
Offer support and remember that the move is about the resident and not yourself. The choices you make should be for their benefit, ensuring that they’re comfortable and happy in their new home.
It’s a big change so the best thing you can do is to empathize and stay positive. Remember to visit and call frequently, especially in the first several days and weeks while the resident is still getting settled. Having loved ones around on a consistent basis can help to smooth the transition immensely.
Address Concerns Early
Because it’s such a big change, it’s perfectly normal for new residents to have concerns. It’s important to identify what those concerns are such as privacy, meeting friends, daily routines, etc.
Read materials offered by the home that may address your worries and speak to staff about any questions or unknowns.
Look into programs and activities offered by the home. You may be able to begin participating before you move in. It’s a great way to get acclimated and grow more comfortable with the new community.
Choosing What to Bring
It’s a good idea to start the moving process early. That way you’re not trying to rush everything in one weekend.
You’ll need to decide which items are to be brought and which can’t be. Before starting that process, it’s a good idea to get a layout of your room/suite, its dimensions, and what furniture the community provides. The residence should also provide a list of suggested items to bring.
This will make deciding what to bring much easier. Sort your items by “move,” to take with; “family,” for sentimental items to hold onto; “donate,” for functioning but non-sentimental items; and “trash.” Although you won’t be able to take the whole house with you, you’d be surprised how much a few treasured items can make the place feel like home.
When beginning the packing process, start with rooms that aren’t used very often. These items should mostly go in the family, donate, and trash piles. Work your way into more commonly used rooms. Be sure to recognize your limits and ask family or friends for help.
Many assisted living homes have staff members to help with the moving process, especially with the heavy lifting. Be sure to inquire about those services. And once your belongings are in your suite, have loved ones help arrange it the way you like. This will go a long way in helping it feel like home.
Moving to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a big transition. It’s important that loved ones are there to show their support, emotional and otherwise. Hopefully, these tips have been useful
If you’re looking for more helpful tips or a moving company to help with your transition, contact Brooks Transfer & Storage today for a free quote.
For detailed information on Assisted Living Facilities in Virginia Beach, VA check out Caring.com's directory
