Moving to an assisted living community is a great option for seniors to have access to day-to-day assistance with things like cooking food, laundry, daily medication and healthcare while maintaining a sense of independence. Even if it seems like the necessary option to you, having your parent(s) leave their home to move into an assisted living community can be a difficult transition. It’s critical to recognize and respect your parent’s concerns and help them make an easy transition. With that being said, here are some tips to help make your parent’s transition to assisted living a smooth one:

Create a To-Do List and Delegate

Call a meeting with any family members or friends that will help with the transition to your parent(s) new assisted living residence. Make a list of all the things that need to get done including paperwork, cleaning and packing the house, writing the checks, etc. and delegate those responsibilities. Keep your loved one in the loop throughout these discussions too – the more they know about what’s going on, the more relaxed they’ll likely be.

Make their New Place Their Own

One important step in easing the transition to assisted living is personalizing the resident’s new home as much as possible. While packing, make sure you bring items with meaning such as pictures, decorations and any other personal items. Help set up your parent’s new home before they move in. Be sure to decorate it with their favorite decorations, furniture, books, blankets and anything else that will help make their new place feel like home. These familiar objects will help make your parent’s home feel like their own right away.

Have Empathy

To you it may seem like assisted living is the obvious solution for your loved one, however, it’s important to put yourself in their shoes. It’s important you listen to their concerns and reassure them. Transitioning from their own home to an assisted living community is a big change that can be extremely emotional. Make sure your parent(s) know that they are not being abandoned. Try setting up a time and day to call and check in with them at least weekly and make plans to visit often.

Encourage Them to Make New Friends

Although you should call and visit your loved one frequently, it’s equally important that you give them space in order to not hinder their independence. Encourage your loved one to meet their new neighbors, participate in social and wellness programs provided at the senior living community and push themselves outside of their comfort zone.

Tour Ahead of Time to Ensure a Smooth Transition

An important way to ensure a smooth transition is making sure their new community is a good fit before they ever move in. As you tour the different senior living communities, pay close attention to how staff interacts with residents, meet the management team and ask as many questions as possible about the living facilities, dining, healthcare, included programs and services.

Summit Pointe Senior Living is the only established Marion senior living community that offers transitioning from Independent to Assisted Living without having to move rooms or buildings. Your family is our family — that includes your pets too. We pride ourselves in providing a senior living community that supports an independent lifestyle in a vibrant, active setting. Schedule a tour today and let us help you navigate your senior living options.