It can be stressful or overwhelming to think about and then go through the process of moving to an assisted living community. This can be felt by their family members in the form of second-hand stress as they may also worry about the inability of their loved ones to cope in a new environment. It can be an emotionally charged period as your loved ones say goodbye to their homes and neighborhood. So, in this article, here are some suggestions we have compiled on making that transition to assisted living as smooth and seamless as possible.
- Bringing Over Personal Belongings
When you’re helping your loved one pack to move into their new home, don’t just settle with packing clothes and necessities. It’s important and extremely helpful for a smooth transition to bringing over items of personal value to your loved one. Items like family photographs, personal collections, or comfort items can go a long way to rebuilding your home. Some assisted living communities like Caruth Haven Court By Discovery Senior Living allow pets, but this may not be the case everywhere. So, check with your assisted living community whether pets can be allowed at their new home. Likewise, for any large or bulky furniture your loved ones would like to bring over.
- Provide Social and Emotional Support
What your loved ones may be concerned about in moving to their new home may be a loss of their existing social connections and ties. That may include you too, especially if their new home is further away from where you live. This could also extend to important communities like religious organizations, community centers, local clubs, and neighbors. With the loss of all these important communities, your loved one may experience feelings of loneliness and unease. At a time like this, the support you provide can be essential to ease these feelings. Even if you’re not able to visit regularly, you can offer alternative modes of connection such as helping your loved ones set up video cameras so they can call your family.
- Picking the Right Community
Perhaps the best thing you can do to ease the transition to an assisted living community is to make sure that their new home is in line with their interests and lifestyles. This means checking out the community to understand the atmosphere, amenities, and services provided. You should take the time to talk to the staff and residents to understand what they enjoy about their community and see whether it aligns with what your loved one is looking for. If possible, sign up for a tour to see firsthand what they offer.
So, come join us for a complimentary tour at Caruth Haven Court By Discovery Senior Living to see what we have on offer. We will be more than delighted to tell you all about our assisted living options and we will answer any questions you may have about staying with us. We’ll even throw in a delicious, free lunch for you and one guest!
