How to Help a Loved One Moving Into Senior Living
Moving to a senior living community can open up a world of possibilities. New friendships, engaging activities, and the freedom to pursue passions – all right outside your front door. Those who choose a luxury senior living community, often find that they thrive in a setting that nurtures their well-being and celebrates their independence.
If your loved one is considering a move to a senior living community, your support can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll offer compassionate and practical advice on how to help them easily navigate this transition.
Tips for Assisting with a Move to Senior Living
Moving to a senior living community is a major milestone. Just like any other big change, it requires careful consideration and planning. Here are just a few ways you can stay prepared as you help your loved one transition into their new home.
Establish a Timeline
When your loved one has found a senior community that’s the perfect fit, it’s time to start planning for the move. The first thing you should do is establish a concrete timeline. When plans are indefinite or indeterminate, it can be difficult to know when and how to take action. Having everything – from packing to spending the first night in their new home – mapped out and scheduled will make you and your loved one feel confident and prepared.
Determine Responsibilities
Collaboration is key. When friends and family are all on the same page and working toward a common goal, it helps the move to senior living go much more smoothly. With clearly defined roles, no one is stepping on anyone’s toes. A few essential responsibilities to divvy up among family members include:
- Updating important documents and accounts
- Coordinating move-in plans with the community
- Managing finances and payment of monthly fees
- Cleaning up and selling or renting the current home
- Packing up possessions and donating unwanted items
- Moving boxes and furniture into the new residence
- Unpacking and setup in their new residence
Use a Senior Relocation Service
Even with a well-defined plan, friends and family aren’t always available to help with the execution. If time or availability is a concern, professional senior relocation services can provide invaluable assistance. These skilled professionals can assist older adults with a wide range of tasks, such as downsizing for a smaller space, packing and unpacking, transporting boxes and furniture, and even providing emotional support.
Ask Lots of Questions
One of the best ways for a loved one to feel comfortable and in control about the move to a senior community living is to ensure they feel prepared. Encourage them to ask all of their questions so they can feel their voice is heard. Whether they want to know about the menus at the community’s dining venues or what temperature the pool is kept at, no detail is too minute. Whenever possible, take a visit to get an in-person experience and start building connections with fellow residents and team members.
Stay Positive and Optimistic
Any big change is bound to come with some feelings of trepidation. Your loved one may have second thoughts or concerns about the logistics of the move. When doubts arise about moving to a retirement community, do your best to look at things in a positive and optimistic light. Ultimately, the move is about giving them more independence and opportunity to spend days in the ways they find most meaningful.
Explore Senior Living Options at Abbey Delray South
Remember, the best senior living option is one that holistically supports your loved one at every step of their journey. At Abbey Delray South, the health and happiness of residents is our top priority. We have a number of different senior living options to meet each individual’s specific needs and desires. Plus, our dedicated team works with each resident to craft a custom wellness plan to help them achieve their goals.
Want to learn more about Abbey Delray South and our resort-style community in Delray Beach, Florida? Please don’t hesitate to contact us today.