At Eden Vista Burr Ridge, we recognize how difficult it can be for a senior to consider transitioning from one community to another. While they may have planned to age in place, their health requires them to make a change. For both the senior and the family, moving from independent living to assisted living Burr Ridge may seem like a big challenge.
Transitioning from independent to assisted living requires early, empathetic planning. The senior must recognize the signs that indicate that a transition is required. They must focus on recognizing changing health or mobility needs, evaluating and downsizing to a smaller floor plan, and touring communities. Planning these steps together ensures they maintain independence and dignity while receiving tailored care.
To help seniors and families make the transition a seamless experience, here’s a guide to moving from independent living to assisted living. We’ve covered how seniors can prepare for, plan, and complete a successful transition from independent to assisted living.
Identify The Signs
Moving from independent living to an assisted living community isn’t just about a physical move. It’s about embarking on a new life chapter in which the senior will embrace a new lifestyle, meet new people, and access healthcare assistance. Here are signs seniors can look for to determine whether it’s time to move to assisted living.
Difficulty With ADLs
The senior may start noticing that they can no longer perform ADLs independently. Whether it’s bathing, dressing, eating, managing medications, or preparing meals, they may start needing assistance with everything. If they don’t make the transition, they will not be able to maintain a good quality of life.
Increased Isolation
The senior may start withdrawing from social activities due to mobility issues or a lack of transportation assistance. Living this way can affect their mental as well as physical health, making assisted living the right senior care choice.
Safety Concerns
Over time, the senior may begin to face safety concerns related to falls or overall health. They may experience unexplained falls, confusion, or forget to turn off appliances. Assisted living can provide them with tailored 24/7 support, ensuring they live safely and securely.
Research & Tours
Once the senior knows it’s time for an assisted living move, they can plan to tour communities to find a reliable option. The key is to evaluate potential communities by prioritizing care plans and the environment.
Assess Levels Of Care
During tours, families should ensure the community has the specific medical, physical, or memory support needed at this time. Additionally, they need to check the availability of higher levels of care, as seniors’ care needs can change rapidly.
Visit In Person
Even if virtual tours are available, the senior should prioritize in-person visits to assess everything. During the tour, they should observe staff-to-resident interactions and cleanliness and evaluate the dining experience. They should list the pros and cons of each community visited.
Review Costs
Compare monthly fees, base rent, and à la carte costs for specialized medical assistance. Write down each community’s cost to review and compare it with other options later on.
Downsizing & Packing
Before planning the physical move, the senior should know that assisted living apartments are smaller than independent living ones. They won’t be able to take everything into the new space. This means they need to downsize and pack accordingly. Here’s how a senior can proceed with this step.
Review Floor Plans
Contact the shortlisted communities and ask for the exact unit dimensions and layout maps. Having detailed information about the new floor plan will help them plan the next steps.
Measure Furniture
As the older adult won’t be able to take all their furniture and other belongings to the new place, it’s recommended that they prioritize essential and favorite furniture pieces. The floor plan they reviewed earlier can help them with this.
Pack For Comfort
The older adult should bring familiar items, such as photographs, comforters, and mementos, to personalize their new space. This will also help them build routines and find a sense of familiarity in the new space.
Check Community Guidelines
While packing and preparing for the move, they should review the community’s restricted items list. It might be candles, space heaters, or throw rugs. They should avoid bringing any unnecessary items that could interfere with their move-in experience.
Medical & Financial Logistics
Before moving day, the senior must ensure all their legal and medical transitions are properly handled. Here’s what they can do.
Medical Records
The individual must compile all medical records and medication lists for the new care team to prepare the new care plan.
Legal Preparations
Reviewing legal documents such as powers of attorney, advance directives, and wills will ensure the senior is legally prepared for the move.
Financial Arrangements
The senior must coordinate payment plans and insurance details with the community’s billing office to complete documentation.
Settling In
The time it takes a senior to settle into their new living environment varies from person to person. The adjustment period typically lasts 1 to 6 months. Here’s what the senior can do to make the transition and settling-in process as smooth as possible.
Regular Participation
The senior should regularly participate in community activities, such as game nights, exercise classes, or gardening clubs.
Maintaining Routines
To connect their previous routine with the new environment, the senior can bring along familiar routines. They can prepare their morning tea or relax outdoors in the evening.
Maintaining Family Connections
The family must maintain regular contact with the loved one, either by visiting regularly or by phone. This can provide emotional support and help combat feelings of isolation.
Eden Vista Burr Ridge – A Premier Assisted Living Community
At Eden Vista Burr Ridge, we understand how overwhelming it can feel for seniors to transition from one level of care to another. They may fear the move will take away their independence and may leave them feeling restricted. However, this is a common misconception, as assisted living actually helps them maintain their independence and dignity. By following the information above, a senior can make a successful transition to assisted living.
Seniors seeking a compassionate assisted living option that also offers a continuum of care can contact us at Eden Vista Burr Ridge. As a premier assisted living community, we support residents’ whole-person health and wellness. Join our community and experience what dignified aging looks like.