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.
After the selection process is done and you have found the right place, it's time to pack up what you need and make decisions about what you cannot bring to the facility. Assisted living apartments generally consist of two main rooms plus a bathroom, so while you can bring your bed, a small dresser, couch and coffee table, most furnishings and possessions won't fit. This can be very upsetting, and if you are helping someone decide what to do with their belongings, compassion is key. There are a lot of memories associated with our belongings and it can be extremely difficult to part with some items.
Begin by looking through the home and finding items that have little emotional value, such as the washer and dryer, extra TV sets, extra towels and canned goods. These are just a few examples of items that are easier to part with, and some can even be sold. Consider holding a garage sale and you can earn a profit off items you don't really care that much about. Food items can be donated to the local food bank and other items also can be donated, which will be a big help to others. When it comes down to the items that really generate strong emotions, you can give some away as treasured keepsakes, and if you are really having a difficult time making decisions, simply pack up the items and rent a storage unit. That way, your items are still yours and you don't have to rush to make decisions. This buys you some time to settle in to the new place and get used to living with less, which you might actually enjoy.
Be sure to take photo books and items such as handmade quilts or even curtains and a few decorative items from home. This makes the new apartment much more welcoming. Keep in mind, that while this transition can be difficult, the whole point of assisted living is to make life easier. With housekeeping and less space to manage, residents can spend more time doing what they like and less time dealing with daily chores.
Each community is different, but all of them offer a myriad of amenities and social activities. While you might have had trouble getting around before, now you will have a staff at your disposal to make sure that you can get where you want to go easily. Loved ones should make sure to plan a reasonable schedule of visitation but also plan some fun activities outside the facility. So if the family is heading out to dinner, call up your mom and bring her along. If you're heading to the park, don't forget to ask if your dad would like to go. In addition, when you go to the facility, get to know the people that live and work there. Become a welcome member of the community, as this will enhance your life, the life of your loved one and probably the lives of people living in the assisted living facility.
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.
After the selection process is done and you have found the right place, it's time to pack up what you need and make decisions about what you cannot bring to the facility. Assisted living apartments generally consist of two main rooms plus a bathroom, so while you can bring your bed, a small dresser, couch and coffee table, most furnishings and possessions won't fit. This can be very upsetting, and if you are helping someone decide what to do with their belongings, compassion is key. There are a lot of memories associated with our belongings and it can be extremely difficult to part with some items.
Begin by looking through the home and finding items that have little emotional value, such as the washer and dryer, extra TV sets, extra towels and canned goods. These are just a few examples of items that are easier to part with, and some can even be sold. Consider holding a garage sale and you can earn a profit off items you don't really care that much about. Food items can be donated to the local food bank and other items also can be donated, which will be a big help to others. When it comes down to the items that really generate strong emotions, you can give some away as treasured keepsakes, and if you are really having a difficult time making decisions, simply pack up the items and rent a storage unit. That way, your items are still yours and you don't have to rush to make decisions. This buys you some time to settle in to the new place and get used to living with less, which you might actually enjoy.
Be sure to take photo books and items such as handmade quilts or even curtains and a few decorative items from home. This makes the new apartment much more welcoming. Keep in mind, that while this transition can be difficult, the whole point of assisted living is to make life easier. With housekeeping and less space to manage, residents can spend more time doing what they like and less time dealing with daily chores.
Each community is different, but all of them offer a myriad of amenities and social activities. While you might have had trouble getting around before, now you will have a staff at your disposal to make sure that you can get where you want to go easily. Loved ones should make sure to plan a reasonable schedule of visitation but also plan some fun activities outside the facility. So if the family is heading out to dinner, call up your mom and bring her along. If you're heading to the park, don't forget to ask if your dad would like to go. In addition, when you go to the facility, get to know the people that live and work there. Become a welcome member of the community, as this will enhance your life, the life of your loved one and probably the lives of people living in the assisted living facility.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson enjoys reading home health care blogs. For more information about assisted living Encinitas facilities or for expert help finding board and care Del Mar services, please check out the CarePlacement.com site today.
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