Family Support: How to Help Loved Ones Move to Assisted Living
Moving can be extremely stressful. That’s the case for anyone at any age regardless of the circumstances involved. It can be particularly trying for elderly loved ones. After all, they’ve often been in their current homes for many years, possibly decades. Suddenly packing up and moving to a new place can certainly be a disconcerting experience. Beyond moving itself, the changes it brings to your loved one’s everyday life may be difficult to deal with as well.
Moving to an assisted living community is the ideal solution for many elderly people. It gives them a way to maintain as much freedom as possible while also getting the extra care and medical attention they need. Still, the transition can be difficult. There are measures you can take to ease the stress and make the experience easier for your loved one, though. Consider the following ways to help your loved one to move into assisted living with as little anxiety and turmoil as possible.
Be Open and Inclusive About the Move
One of the most effective things you can do is to be open about the move. Don’t try to plan the transition behind your loved one’s back and spring it on them at the last minute. Let your loved one know why you think they need to move into an assisted living community. Explain why it’s the best choice to keep them safe and healthy.
Include your loved one in the decision-making process. Let them tell you what they need and want in their new home, and allow them to help with choosing the community. From there, keep your loved one updated on the move-in date and other details. The more included and in control your loved one feels, the less apprehensive they’ll be about the move.
Schedule an In-Person Tour
Scheduling an in-person tour of the assisted living community can also help to alleviate fear and stress. You probably wouldn’t move into a new house without seeing it first. You might even want to explore the community surrounding it a bit before moving there. Your loved one feels the same way. Allowing them to see and explore their new home and community before moving in will give them a sense of familiarity. Be sure to take the tour with your loved one too. You’ll provide much-needed comfort and support by simply being by their side.
Bring Items From Home
Your loved one most likely won’t be able to bring everything from home when they move to assisted living. In fact, they may have to get rid of most of their furniture and other belongings or at least place them in storage. Being surrounded by unfamiliar items in a new home can make the experience even more unnerving. Bringing a few personal items and those with sentimental value will make things easier. Help your loved one choose certain items to bring to their new home, like pictures and knick-knacks, so they’ll have some familiar items to look to when they’re feeling uneasy or homesick.
Making the Transition Easier for Your Loved One
Moving to assisted living may very well be the best choice for your loved one, but that might not make the transition any easier. There are things you can do to make the move less stressful for your loved one. Include them in the process from start to finish. Schedule a tour for your loved one to see the community beforehand, and be sure to bring along some items that hold sentimental value to add a familiar element to their new home. Furthermore, be sure to make yourself available to your loved one both physically and emotionally to make the process easier for them.
