Life has been in a state of upheaval for some time now. Uncertainty seems to be the “new normal” in so many ways. For seniors looking to move onto their next stage of life, that uncertainty can give way to anxiety and even fear. After all, giving up one’s home and moving into an adult living residence can seem like a loss of independence, even a sense of self. Often, adult children are responsible for deciding about the appropriate time to make a move. This decision can cause some hurt feelings and arguments. Still, if the decision has been made and you are approaching moving day, there are ways to ease the transition and make your new home welcoming and familiar.
Assisted living facilities combine senior residence with personal care, and although some seniors may resist the thought of this type of lifestyle, it provides many excellent benefits. The senior’s overall health, security, and wellbeing are looked after and protected. They will have the opportunity to meet new friends and have an active social life. They will have the chance to relax, give up some of the everyday “chores” of daily life, and live their life in the way they desire.
5 Tips for Moving Day
It is essential for the adult children, the elderly parents, and the assisted living administrative staff to work in concert to guarantee a smooth transition to the assisted living community. Moving at any stage of life can be a stressful situation for anyone. When the emotions of downsizing and giving up a family home are also included, it can become challenging for all those involved.
Therefore, we offer 5 ways to make the day a little easier:
- Help with going through belongings: You’ll find it very helpful to make sorting through a senior’s personal items a family event. Moving to an assisted living facility means your aging parents are required to make decisions about their personal belongings. They will need to determine what they can keep and bring with them, which may be designated to family members as keepsake items or those they may sell or donate. chances are their new home will have much less space, and so these decisions are important.
- Ask for a floor plan: If the new community has floor plans of their rooms available, it will be easier to determine before moving day exactly which furniture and home decor items can make a move.
- Help with sorting and packing: After you have a floor plan, keep the size of the room in mind so only those belongings that will fit in the apartment will make the move. Obtaining a self-storage unit during the moving and packing process permits quicker decisions, and eases the mind of your loved ones who may think they are losing too many things in one process. You can always revisit their belongings once moving day is over and you can gauge your situation.
- Create a comfortable and familiar space: Design the room with familiarity in mind. Be sure to bring favorite throw blankets, cherished photos, even their most comfortable recliner. If there are mementos that remind them of their spouse, or if they need a way to listen to their favorite music – be sure to create a space that has an air of familiarity and will feel less strange and intimidating.
- Set up a schedule for visits: Leaving your loved one in their new residence may be emotional and may make them feel suddenly isolated. Therefore, discuss the next time that you will visit, preferably within a few days. This will give them the assurance that they are not being abandoned, and also allow them to look forward to your return. Tell them that you are looking forward to meeting their new friends when you come back, and encourage them to build new relationships with their neighbors.
As you leave, it may be necessary to alleviate some of your own stress and guilt over leaving your parent. You’ll want to focus on the significant benefits assisted living offers to your loved one. They will enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle in a private and personal living space, will be given opportunities to make new friends, will have healthy and delicious meals provided to them, and will have the daily assistance they need to stay safe and secure. Moving day is tough on everyone – but your loved one is embarking on a wonderful new stage.
A Banyan Residence is an assisted living and memory care center located in Venice, Florida. Call us today for a private tour and consultation.
