At Eden Vista Burr Ridge, we recognize that transitioning to assisted living represents a significant milestone for both the loved one and the family. This is a time when the whole family can experience mixed emotions. They are excited about the time ahead, but at the same time feel overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown and uncertainty about their future. Luckily, there are specific tips that they can follow to ensure a successful transition for their loved one. Here are some assisted living transition tips to help a family support their loved one with a smooth transition to their chosen community.
Preparation And Moving Day
Planning an assisted living move isn’t solely about choosing the right assisted living community. A successful transition requires strategic planning that begins weeks, if not months, before move day. The senior must feel in charge of the entire transition process. Here are the steps the family can take to ease the move to assisted living.
Involve Them Early
Don’t wait for the right time to arrive and plan a conversation with the loved one as early as possible. Doing so is key to avoiding last-minute decisions. This will give them enough time to express their concerns and fears about the move. Discuss how assisted living will benefit them. Briefly describe how they are going to lead an enhanced quality of life.
Tour Together
Touring communities together would give them a sense of control. Visit potential communities and evaluate each based on key factors to determine the best fit for the loved one. Pay attention to staff behavior, community cleanliness, and residents’ lifestyles.
Pack Together
Remember, your loved one is moving to their new home. They need their current belongings in the community, too, to embrace a sense of home. Downsizing before assisted living would allow them to decide what’s truly essential for them and discard what’s no longer required. Hence, sort through belongings together, focusing on keeping items that bring joy, comfort, and sentimental value.
Prepare For “Moving Day”
The actual move day is often the most challenging for both the family and the individual moving. Arranging for familiar faces would not only help with the move but also provide emotional support. Pack everything well and label the boxes. Hire professional movers to ensure everything reaches the community in the proper condition.
Adjusting To The New Environment
Not all seniors necessarily adjust the same way in the assisted living environment. There is often an assisted living adjustment period, a phase during which the concerned senior needs to adapt to their new living environment properly. The family needs to play their part in ensuring a successful transition during this time as well. Here’s how they can help their loved one adjust to their new environment.
Be Patient With Time
While every senior is different, it typically takes 3 to 6 months for them to adjust to the assisted living environment. Know that this timeline is never rigid, and some might even change in just weeks. So be there with your loved one during the early days of the transition to help them adjust sooner.
Visit Regularly
Make it a priority to visit them regularly. This way, you will support them both mentally and emotionally while helping reduce feelings of abandonment. Try paying physical visits; if that’s not possible, video or audio calls are also helpful.
Encourage Socialization
Socialization plays a vital role in shaping your loved one’s life experience at the assisted living community. Meeting new people, forming relationships, and making friends would help them adjust to community life. Gently encourage them to try activities, join clubs, and have meals with other residents.
Respect Their Space
While support is necessary, it should never feel like a requirement. Guide them through the various experiences, but never push them toward any one in particular. Give them time to adapt and build a new routine.
Communication And Support
Besides helping the loved one adjust to their new space, you must ensure consistent communication with them. Help them get to know everyone and build new connections in the community.
Connect With Staff
Share with the community staff on your loved one’s personal history, likes, and dislikes to help them provide tailored care.
Acknowledge Emotions
Validate their feelings of frustration, sadness, or anger. Know that it is normal for them to experience grief during this transitional stage or even when they have transitioned.
Stay Involved
Continue to monitor their care and health status. Attend care plan meetings and stay up to date on their health.
Take Care Of Yourself
Never overextend yourself in ensuring their well-being. Recognize that this is an emotional process for you as well, and that it will take some time to smooth out.
Achieve An Ideal Balance Between Care And Independence At Eden Vista Burr Ridge
At Eden Vista Burr Ridge, we understand that a family does not need to rush while transitioning their loved one to an assisted living community. While they may be enthusiastic about their loved one’s future, rushing can increase the risk of missing out on the essentials. They must understand that the move itself will be a little hectic, but with proper planning and due diligence, they can manage everything well.
The above tips cover the key measures and steps a family needs to take to ensure they successfully move their loved one to assisted living. From early planning to preparations for the actual moving day and completing a successful transition, everything is outlined in the assisted living move checklist above.
For families seeking a compassionate assisted living option for their aging loved one, contact us at Eden Vista Burr Ridge. With a team of compassionate caregivers, personalized care plans, and a homelike atmosphere, we support residents in living a thriving, enriching life. We provide tailored assistance to residents, supporting their individual needs and helping them get the practical support they need.