5 Tips for a Smooth Transition to Senior Living
Making the move to a senior living community is often a highly recommended step to preserve the well-being for individuals and their families.
That said, big changes or shifts in life will initially require you and your loved one to go through some challenging processes.
Moving to a senior living community can be significantly less stressful for your aging parents if certain steps are taken.
In this post, we’re sharing five helpful tips to help make the transition to senior living as smooth as possible.
1. Start Downsizing Now.
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Whether your parent has lived in the same house for 5 years or 50 years, the moving and downsizing process can be an overwhelming task for everyone involved.
Which is why the sooner you start downsizing, the better.
Break the process into smaller tasks and plan it out week by week.
Figure out which items will be necessary in your parent’s new home versus what can be donated, passed down, or, if needed, placed in storage.
This way, your parent will be more easily able to emotionally work through letting go of items he or she will no longer need once living in a senior living community.
2. Make the Living Space Feel like Home.
Just because your loved one will be moving into a new residence does not mean the new setting won’t be a new home.
One way to help your parent feel at home in the new space is to plan out the furniture layout and decorative items in a way that will put him or her at ease.
If possible, you can even mimic the previous living space and arrange items as they were in the past.
At The Ashford communities, we offer a range of floor plans to meet the needs of residents.
Whether your parent wants a full kitchen to cook meals or a patio to enjoy afternoon tea, your parent can select a plan that matches the desired lifestyle.
Click the links below to view floorplans at…
To receive information on floor plans at The Ashford at Sturbridge, opening in fall 2018, contact us here.
3. Encourage Involvement in Community Activities.
Perhaps you know your mother is happiest when she is singing along to her favorite songs–and, therefore, the senior living choir group would be a terrific match.
Or your father’s mind is most stimulated and engaged when discussing the recent novel he read–making the community book club discussion group an excellent extracurricular choice.
Whatever your parent’s passions may be, encourage him or her to sign up and try out a range of community activities as soon as he or she moves in.
Not only are these activities great ways to engage the body and mind–but they are also helpful when it comes to meeting other residents and becoming socially involved right away.
At The Ashford communities, new residents can seamlessly get involved in exciting weekly activities, such as regular outings, group games (such as Mahjong–a resident favorite!), special dining events, group exercise classes, and more.
Whether at The Ashford on Broad, The Ashford of Mt. Washington, or The Ashford at Sturbridge, engaging in these offerings will enable your mother or father to feel engaged and happy after making the move to senior living.
4. Schedule Family Visits.
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Even though your parent is making the move into a new social community, he or she will have more peace of mind with scheduled family visits.
Being able to look forward to seeing familiar faces will make all the difference for your parent as he or she transitions into a new home.
Make sure that different family members–whether they be grandchildren, children, siblings, or extended family–make time to visit your loved one within the first few days or weeks.
Be sure to let your parent know when to expect each visit–hang up a calendar in the new living space that designates when loved ones will be stopping by.
5. Develop a Relationship with the Caregivers.
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At The Ashford communities, each of our team members has a compassionate heart, a great attitude, and past experience providing senior care.
Our caregivers ensure personalized care and take the necessary time to get to know each resident as a whole person.
Developing a bond with your parent’s caregiver will give both you and your parent greater peace of mind and ease.
The experience of making the move to senior living will be rewarding–but the transition process will be smoother if you incorporate these five tips.
If you have any questions regarding transitioning to senior living, we invite you to contact The Ashford communities, and we’ll be happy to answer them.
