Even if they are happy to make the move, helping a parent or other senior relative move into an assisted living community can be a very emotional time for everybody involved. Even if they are excited for what the future holds for them, your relative might be grieving the loss of their youth, dealing with anxiety about their independence in the future, or having a hard time leaving the home that they have built for themselves over the years. It’s not uncommon for the move to bring up fears around getting older, settling into a new home, or simply all the changes that come with this kind of transition. Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to help.
Give Things Time
Like any transition to a new part of your life, moving into assisted living Moorestown NJ can take some time and it might be a while before you notice that your senior relative has begun to feel more settled and is enjoying their new life. How long it’ll take can vary depending on the individual, so the best thing that you can do is simply be there for your relative, validate their feelings and ask if there is anything that you can do to make this change easier on them.
Prepare for Setbacks
Setbacks are not uncommon among people who are moving into an assisted living or retirement community. It might feel like everything is going well, and your relative is settling in, only for them to turn around and tell you that they are feeling lonely in their new home, or they are not sure that they like the facility. They might change their mind after being excited to move and feel homesick for their old home. Speaking to a counselor can help in these moments, but it’s important to keep in mind that they are a normal and common part of the adjustment process, and most seniors do adjust and settle in fine over time.
Visit Often
When moving to a new living arrangement, many seniors will find that having people that they know and love around them will help them to make an easier transition. During the move and when they have just moved in, try to visit as often as you can and get other family members to visit, so that your relative has people around that they know to talk to, which can ease some of their stress and make things easier. You know them best, so you know how often they might like to be visited and how much alone time they will need.
Keep Familiar Things
It can be tempting to get a lot of new things for your relative to take to their new home, but don’t forget the familiar things too. Take as much as you can with you for them from their old home so that their new place will feel more familiar and homely to them, and there will not be as much for them to adjust to.
Moving to an assisted living facility can be an emotional time for both yourself and your relative. If you want to make sure that the move is as stress-free as possible for them, then keep these ways to help in mind.