Making a Smooth Transition to Assisted Living
BY JUDITH DELIS, ADMINISTRATOR, SEMINOLE SHORES LIVING CENTER, NORTON SHORES
Many family members find it difficult to help their loved ones transition to an assisted living community. For most of them, it’s not something they’ve ever done, which makes it difficult to know where to begin.
Here are five things to do to make the transition to assisted living easier for your loved-one.
Select a Realistic Move-In Date. The first thing you should do is help to select an official move-in date. Select a date that gives you plenty of time to pack, clean, and downsize as needed.
Having an official move-in date will give you a timeframe of exactly how long you have to prepare. From there, you can begin to plan when tasks need to be done to keep you on track.
Get the Measurements of the New Space. Finding out how much space will help you determine how much to keep. If possible, try to get a printed copy of the floor plan. This way, you can plan exactly where everything is going to go. On move-in day, you will be thankful you did this when you can tell the movers exactly where to put everything.
Start Organizing Early. Organizing is often the most challenging and time-consuming task. For that reason, you want to start early.
The space your loved-one will be moving into is most likely going to be smaller than the current space. This will require downsizing.
Don’t forget to organize important papers and documents. Here are a few documents you will want to gather:
• Driver’s license
• Car registration
• Credit cards
• Bank, retirement, and investment account information
• Medicare and Social Security information
Get Estimates From Moving Companies. After you settle on a date for the move to assisted living, start getting quotes from moving companies. Once you find a company you like, schedule your appointment immediately. Reputable moving companies often have pretty busy schedules!
Schedule Dates for Utilities to be Turned Off or Transferred. A few weeks before the move-in date, help tackle the home services. Call and schedule times for utility companies to disconnect phone, cable, internet, electricity, gas, water, and any other recurring services. Have mail, newspaper, and magazine subscriptions forwarded to the new home.
The Most Important Thing You Can Do Is Be There. The most important thing you can do to help a senior loved one transition to assisted living is to be there. Physically help them pack belongings, listen to their concerns, and talk them through their hesitations.
Moving can be stressful for anyone. After all, it is a major life transition. Heritage Senior Communities, including our Seminole Shores Assisted Living location, in Norton Shores, provides support to make the transition to assisted living easier for seniors and their families. Contact us for more information.
Seminole Shores Assisted Living Center, located in Norton Shores, Michigan, gives seniors the opportunity to be independent while knowing that assistance is available to serve them whenever they need it. The center offers housekeeping, laundry, medication management, 24 hour care, three home-cooked meals a day and a full activity and event program. A pet-friendly community, Seminole Shores Assisted Living Center is owned and operated by Heritage Property Management Inc., located in Grand Haven, Michigan. Heritage Property Management Inc. is a family-owned company that operates nine assisted living homes and five independent living homes across the state of Michigan. Learn more at seminoleshoresalc.com and call (231) 780-2944 for a tour.
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