Getting a senior living community suitable to meet the needs of your loved ones is very important. However, moving them into the community is another matter. Without adequate preparation, you can get overwhelmed and forget some crucial things. Eventually, you may have to expend more mental and physical energy during the move, which isn't a good thing. Plus, poor planning can cause distress to your loved ones and affect their settling into the new senior living community.
Adequate preparation is critical. When moving your parents into a senior living community, here's a checklist to use as a guide.
Declutter their home
Check through the items in the home to find the ones they haven't used in a long while and may no longer be of use to them moving forward. You may also find some items you need to sell or donate to charity. Pack and label them appropriately to avoid mix-ups.
Don't forget antiques and artworks
It's also crucial not to forget the valuable possessions that hold memories and sentimental value, such as antiques and artworks. You can pass them down as an heirloom to family members who will cherish them.
Alternatively, you can sell them, which is a great way to raise funds for your loved ones’ move. If you're unsure about the value of an antique or artwork, it's best to get expert appraisers to determine their worth.
Get everything sorted out in the senior living community in advance
To ensure that your loved ones enjoy maximum comfort and peace of mind after they move to the new senior living community, it's ideal to have everything sorted out in advance. Additionally, it'll ease the moving process as you can transfer important items to their new home before the final decluttering.
Set up a power of attorney and health surrogate
There may come a time when your loved ones can no longer make decisions regarding their health and finances. One important aspect of moving to a senior living facility is having certain procedures set in place in case they are incapable of making those decisions.
In the event of a sad occurrence that renders your parents incapable of making certain life decisions, especially those pertaining to health, a trusted family member with a power of attorney or an authorized health surrogate can help your parents to make favorable decisions by proxy.
Arrange for a phone transfer
Having your loved ones live away from home can be difficult for everyone involved. To ease the strain, you should make an effort to ensure that communication lines are perpetually kept open. You can arrange for a phone transfer to keep in touch after they have moved. Having a phone readily available can also provide peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Arrange for a mover to pack and move a day before or on the day of the move
The moving process can be stressful for you and your loved ones. Hiring a mover can reduce stress and allow you to focus on other important tasks related to the move. In addition, arranging for a mover ensures that your loved ones’ belongings are safely and efficiently packed and moved to their new home in the senior living facility.
Reach out to the move managers and senior placement specialists for advice
There are move managers with affiliations with senior living communities that will meet you at your home to take stock of furniture and ensure that they fit the new apartment.
This will help you to ensure that your loved ones will be fully comfortable after they move, with little need for subsequent modifications that will distract them as they settle into the new living quarters.
Finding and transitioning into a senior living community can be daunting. But it doesn't have to be. At Welcome Home, we are dedicated to helping you streamline the process and narrow down senior living facilities that suit your loved ones’ physical, cognitive, and social needs. Contact us today to get started.
