When it's time for your parent(s) to move to a senior living community, discussing the move can be difficult. Once you get past this challenge, you can help them adjust to their new life in a care community.
Read on to learn more about those "next steps" and how best to help your loved ones through them.
Assess Your Loved One's Needs - Physically and Financially
After the conversation about senior living, one of the first things to do is assess your parents' needs. Include them in the conversation to ensure complete transparency and honesty about their needs.
Do they require daily assistance with bathing, dressing, or medication assistance? If so, they may need to move into an assisted living community. If they can still perform most or all of these tasks without help, they might benefit from independent senior living.
Along with your loved one(s), review their financial capabilities to help pay for long-term care. If needed, consult a financial advisor or expert to help assess all assets.
Choose a Primary Person to Make Decisions
Transitioning into senior living can be complicated and require a lot of research, planning, and execution. This may prove too much for your loved one to handle, especially if they struggle with cognitive concerns.
Choosing a primary individual to make these necessary decisions may be the best choice. Discuss with your siblings or other family members about who would be the best point person to help make decisions. It’s important to reach a consensus on who this individual would be and support them during this process.
Make a List of Potential Communities
After the initial conversation, your next step is to make a list of potential communities alongside your parent(s). Research senior living facilities in your area and choose a few to investigate together.
Noteworthy things to consider when researching senior living communities include the type of therapy services and other amenities they offer. Check if services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are provided at the location while compiling your list. Look into whether resources are available for in-home care, too.
Take a Tour of Some Facilities
Once you have your list of communities, tour them in person. Ideally, your parent(s) should actively participate in the decision. Visiting communities in person will help them feel fully informed about where they will be living.
Another helpful tip is to bring along a list of questions and concerns you and your loved one have. Staff members and representatives can address these concerns for you during your tour.
Furthermore, you will want to look out for nearby medical establishments, grocery stores, and other places of interest and importance. You'll want to choose a community close to your parents' needs.
Create a Detailed Moving Plan
One last critical step before your parent(s) transitions into a senior living community or other long-term care community is to create a moving plan. Work together with your loved ones and others to create a plan for a smooth and easy transition.
Decide who will be responsible for packing belongings and physically moving them into the new living space. You'll also need to work with your parent(s) to make decisions about their personal belongings.
What items are the most realistic to bring? What items should be donated? What items can be thrown away or placed in storage?
Senior Care Services at Pine Haven Christian Communities
If your parent or another elderly family member is starting to make the transition into senior living, consider Pine Haven Christian Communities. Our Christian-based senior care services are available across four campuses. We provide various services for seniors, including therapy services and memory care. Contact us today to learn more.
