Moving is challenging for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for a senior transitioning to assisted living because it often comes with several emotions and planning. Seniors may feel a loss because they may be leaving a long-term home filled with fond memories and cherished possessions. That’s exactly why it’s important to frame this change positively as it also signifies the start of a new chapter of getting needed support and care and improving quality of life.
At Sunrise Senior Living, we strive to make the transition to assisted living smooth as possible for seniors and their families. We've compiled these tips to help you or a senior loved one prepare for the move to assisted living and settle comfortably into this new stage of life.
1. Plan for the Move Early
Proper preparation is key for a smooth transition to assisted living. To ease the moving process, follow these steps before moving a parent to assisted living.
Tour Early and Create a Timeline
Moving a parent into assisted living is a big life change. Senior loved ones may worry about losing independence or privacy. Touring communities ahead of time can alleviate these concerns. Families can ask questions based on what’s most important to them, and they can see firsthand how current residents live to find the right fit.
We understand every situation is different and not every family has the luxury of time when deciding to move. However, you can still prepare quickly by asking community team members or executive directors questions via email or a phone call.
Additionally, try creating a timeline and assisted living move-in checklist. This can help families plan a move-out date and create a list of essentials and wants. It can also help seniors and their loved ones see whether important documents, such as insurance benefits or health care directives, need to be updated.
At Sunrise, you can request a tour at a community near you at any time that works for you.
Start Downsizing and Packing
Oftentimes, a senior’s new living space is smaller than their current residence. To make the move easier, it’s important to consider consolidating one’s belongings. This could mean giving things to family members, donating, or storing some things in a storage unit.
To help you downsize and declutter, put together a moving to assisted living checklist. It can help you prioritize packing important and meaningful items, including favorite clothing, toiletries, family photographs, and other sentimental keepsakes. This can help the new space feel like home without it being cluttered. Divide your loved one’s belongings into separate piles to keep, sell, or donate to enhance organization.
Involve the Family
Family involvement can provide emotional and physical support during this time. To help ensure open communication, both parties need to be transparent about their feelings during this process. Family members may feel guilt while seniors might be nervous about this life change. If everyone is verbal with their concerns, it’s easier to be there for one another and offer advice or reassurance.
It’s also crucial to get on the same page before creating an assisted living move-in checklist and timeline. If family members communicate in advance, there will be less hiccups during the packing and actual moving. Open communication can also help family members find space in their schedules to assist with packing and be there on moving day.
2. Prepare for the First Few Days
After moving, senior loved ones often spend a few days adjusting to their new home and learning what assisted living is. Here's what to expect.
Orientation and Welcome
Upon arrival, new residents receive a warm welcome from staff and an opportunity to learn about their new surroundings. Community team members will likely go over important community details, such as activity schedules, safety procedures, and mealtimes. Depending on the community, they may also introduce a new resident to current residents who will help them feel welcome and included during the first few days as they settle in.
At Sunrise, many communities help new residents feel welcome with initiatives to help them feel included with check-ins, invites to activities, and more.
Explore the Community
After move-in and an initial tour, residents can freely explore the community, enabling them to locate key areas. Amenities vary depending on the assisted living community, but most include:
- Activity spaces
- Dining areas
- Libraries or movie theaters
- Outdoor areas, such as gardens or patios
- Wellness or fitness centers
Becoming familiar with the community's layout can help a senior loved one feel more confident and relaxed.
Settle into the New Space
Unpacking and decorating one’s new space during the first few days can ease the emotional adjustment. It’s important to personalize a senior’s suite with family photos, artwork, and decor to make it feel cozy and familiar. To replicate their previous home, family members may want to get involved in the setup. A homey space can help new residents feel connected to their past and encourage them to make new happy memories.
At Sunrise, residents are encouraged to fill their new home with their own furniture, artwork, decorations, and treasured keepsakes.
3. Ease Slowly into a Routine
Daily life may look different in assisted living than what a senior loved one is used to. Understanding what to expect can ease the transition.
Daily Routines and Schedules
Most assisted living communities offer structured schedules that include mealtimes, activities, and personal care routines. However, residents don’t have to follow the same routine as one another. Community team members can help personalize schedules based on individual needs and lifestyle preferences.
Personalized Care Plans
Assisted living communities also develop resident-driven care plans through resident assessments. At Sunrise Senior Living, we spend time learning each resident’s abilities, needs, and interests to create detailed, individualized service plans. Whether a resident needs medication reminders or wants their newspaper delivered at a certain time, we'll be sure it's documented. We'll also update the plan as the resident’s needs or preferences change.
4. Start Socializing and Building Connections
Building connections within the community can improve satisfaction and engagement, boosting a resident’s well-being and overall experience. Consider the tips below to help a senior loved one form new relationships.
Meet New Neighbors
Assisted living communities are designed to evoke a sense of community and camaraderie. Visiting communal spaces or attending social gatherings can help residents connect with one another. Share facts about yourself, such as interests and hobbies, to find common ground. This simple task can widen your social circle.
Get to Know the Staff
The staff plays a significant role in each resident's daily life. Building close relationships with caregivers, nurses, and activity coordinators can help identify who to turn to for health, safety, or maintenance issues, fostering trust and comfort. Don't be afraid to ask questions or provide feedback, especially if you're unsure or unsatisfied with something.
Participate in Community Activities and Events
Residents have access to a wide variety of social, physical, and creative activities to boost a vibrant social life, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Activities can be enjoyed alone or alongside fellow residents. Activities and programming may vary depending on the community but commonly include:
- Arts and crafts
- Board games
- Exercise classes
- Gardening
- Holiday or themed parties
- Lifelong learning opportunities
- Live performances
- Movie nights
- Music and singing
- Off-site excursions
- Recreational sports
- Trivia
5. Learn About Health and Wellness Offerings
Assisted living communities also support resident health and wellness, promoting balanced lifestyles. To help you feel safe and taken care, explore these key services.
Access to Medical Care
Many communities offer on-site healthcare services, such as routine wellness checks, medication management, or therapy. If a certain assisted living community doesn't offer a specific service, they may provide transportation to off-site appointments or arrange on-site visits with external providers. This helps ensure access to timely care for peace of mind.
Oftentimes, assisted living communities have an on-site nurse to oversee care. For instance, in Sunrise communities, residents complete a comprehensive resident evaluation before move-in to help ensure care can be provided and personalized by a nurse or other care team member.
Nutrition and Meals
Sunrise assisted living communities often create customized meal plans incorporating each resident's dietary restrictions, preferences, and doctor-ordered dietary recommendations. To accommodate residents’ diverse needs, communities offer flexible options, including restaurant-style dining, self-service bistros, and room service, with balanced, nutritious meal options.
Residents are encouraged to discuss their preferences with the dining team members. However, if a resident needs assistance communicating, families are welcome to step in to discuss their loved one’s preferences.
Fitness and Wellness Programs
Assisted living communities help residents stay active through fitness and wellness programs, including:
- Strength training
- Walking clubs
- Wellness workshops
- Yoga or meditation sessions
At Sunrise, we offer a wide range of activities to promote a holistic care approach, targeting physical, emotional, and social health. Additionally, our community activity calendars include diverse offerings of physical exercises to help ensure that there’s always something for everyone.
6. Acknowledge Your Feelings and Accept Support
Moving elderly loved ones to assisted living can spark a mix of positive and negative emotions. However, certain strategies can help alleviate stress and anxiety during the adjustment period.
Address Your Mixed Emotions
It’s completely normal for residents to feel a combination of sadness, anxiety, and excitement during their move to assisted living. To help, it might be beneficial to reflect on the benefits of assisted living, such as access to supportive care and reduced home maintenance responsibilities.
It might also help to talk to other residents because they’ve likely been in your shoes or are currently going through the same emotions. If talking about feelings is too daunting, it might help to engage in one’s favorite activities alongside new faces to alleviate negative emotions.
Utilize the Support Systems in Place
At Sunrise, we prioritize emotional support to help our residents adjust during their move to assisted living. Our compassionate team is always available to address concerns. You can also attend a support group or counseling session to seek advice or coping skills. Community events and social gatherings provide further opportunities to build support systems.
Maintain Your Independence
With so many life changes happening, it’s important for residents to remember they are in control. Assisted living communities aim to balance care with independence, encouraging residents to be an integral part of making informed decisions, setting personal goals, and pursuing their hobbies and interests.
7. Stay Connected with Family and Friends
Maintaining relationships with loved ones can enable an even smoother transition. While moving seniors to assisted living, use these tips below to help them stay connected with family members.
Schedule Family Visits
Before a senior loved one’s move to assisted living, families should make it a priority to learn about their community’s visitation policies to plan a visit as soon as possible. Many assisted living communities have open visitation for family and friends. However, hours and safety guidelines may vary so be sure to inquire with the community to make planning visits easier.
Stay Connected with Technology
If in-person visits aren’t an option, try to stay connected virtually. Technology such as video calls and social media makes staying in touch easier than ever. At Sunrise Senior Living, we also offer a family engagement app that helps family members stay up to date on their senior loved one’s day-to-day activities via pictures and videos. Family members can also send messages to the community activities coordinator.
Encourage Family Engagement
Regular family engagement can boost mood and strengthen relationships, enhancing emotional health for seniors in assisted living, according to a study on family involvement in assisted living. If it’s a possibility, seniors should ask their loved ones to participate in community programming.
Sunrise communities hold designated family nights, holiday parties, and birthday celebrations where families are always welcome. In fact, our communities encourage families and friends to join their senior loved ones for meals and activities to help them feel connected. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities to make visits memorable.
With the right preparation and mindset, moving to assisted living can be a joyful, life-enhancing experience. If you’re still looking for a community, it’s crucial to make a list of your senior loved one’s wants and needs to consider while touring. Then, before a move, families should create an assisted living move-in checklist to make the transition even smoother.
If you and your senior loved one are still figuring out how to navigate this next phase of life, Sunrise Senior Living can help. Learn more about our approach to assisted living or schedule a tour today at a Sunrise near you.
References
[1] Plys, E. & Bliwise, N. G. (2013, January). Family involvement and well-being in assisted living. Seniors Housing & Care Journal.