When the decision is made to move your loved one to a senior living community, the transition can be an emotional challenge. One of the major trials is the actual move itself. There are many decisions to make, and letting your senior take control of what they can in the process will help them cope with the change. Consider the following tips to help your loved one adjust to their new home.
1.Bring Familiarity
After visiting and selecting your community, get the lay of the land by knowing the floor plan. You can add familiarity to the room by hanging family pictures on the wall or bringing a favorite chair. Purchase new items that can make the move fun, like a cabinet for your senior to access photo albums and family heirlooms easily. Try to arrange furniture or decorations in a similar way they were in your loved one’s previous home.
2.Update Your Address
Have your mail forwarded to your senior’s new home and cancel any subscriptions you no longer need. It is important to inform banks, credit cards, pharmacies, friends, and family members of your new address. If you have any consistent deliveries such as groceries or prescriptions, either re-route or cancel the services. Make sure to cancel ongoing services like cable, internet, or utilities that are provided at your senior’s new home.
3.Declutter and Downsize
Moving into a senior community may mean less space for everything your loved one owns. Take it slowly; moving can be stressful and overwhelming. Begin with packing nonnegotiable items such as favorite mementos and important documents. After this first step, you will see how many items are still left to pack. If your senior has a lot of belongings and decides to reduce them there are a number of options. Moving is the perfect opportunity to pare down your belongings by giving them to family or friends. It’s also a great time to sort through all of those clothes you haven’t worn in years. But remember, this should be your loved one’s decision about what to do with the items, not yours.
4.Encourage Socialization
Social isolation can cause your loved one to feel out of place and unimportant. There are many great ways to help your senior interact and stay in touch. Get your loved one connected to technology and so they can video call or see family pictures posted on social media. It is a great way for seniors to feel connected and in the loop of what is happening in their family. There are also many opportunities for your senior to meet others in their community. Social activities, outings or trips, and workout classes can help your senior get to know other residents and create friendships.
5.Ask For Support
Moving can be both physically and mentally exhausting. By inviting friends, family members, children, or grandchildren to help, you can make the work lighter and create a fun memory out of a tough job! Visit your senior as often as you can at their new home. Having a familiar face visit can be comforting and make adapting easier. If you can’t see your loved one in person, you can video chat through Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype.
At Evergreen Place Assisted Living and Evergreen Village Supported Living, we are dedicated to offering compassionate services to support your loved one during and after the transition. To learn more about our communities, contact Evergreen Place (309) 451-9355 or Evergreen Village (309) 452-7300, and schedule a tour of our campuses today!
