4 Steps to Take Before Moving a Loved One into Senior Living
Making the transition into senior living can be a delicate time for many older adults. When you are helping a senior family member or other loved one move into senior living, there are certain steps you should take to make the transition easier. Take a look at the four steps below:
1. Assess Their Physical Needs
Before moving your loved one into senior living, the first step is assessing their needs. Every person is unique and requires different types of assistance as they age. Some older adults can live independently with little to no daily assistance. These seniors are best suited for independent living communities.
Older adults with limited mobility, grave health concerns, or cognitive issues often require ongoing assistance with tasks like bathing, feeding, and more. These seniors benefit most from assisted living facilities with staff on-site around the clock to help.
2. Consider Medical Requirements
When assessing your loved one’s needs, it is important to consider any medical requirements they may have. Many seniors have serious health concerns that require ongoing, everyday medical care. These seniors may need skilled nursing assistance, memory care, or physical therapy.
Before moving them into any kind of senior living facility, ensure they can access the necessary medical services.
3. Look into Financial Options
Senior living can be a costly expense for many families. When helping a loved one transition into a senior living facility, you will need to take a thorough look at both their finances and those of anyone helping with payment. Make sure you choose an independent or assisted living facility your family can afford.
If you require financial assistance, there are many resources out there that can help with the costs of senior care. Make sure to look into these financial options so you can use every resource available to your family.
4. Help Prepare Their Belongings
A common concern for older adults transitioning into senior living is the ability to take their belongings. Depending on the type of community they are moving into, they may not be able to take everything from their home. This is especially true for seniors moving into assisted living.
You will want to help your loved one take inventory of their belongings and determine their most cherished and important items. You may also want to look into storage facilities that can hold onto any additional belongings they cannot keep with them but do not want to part with.
Transitioning into Senior Living
From assessing medical and physical needs to preparing their belongings, there are several important steps to take before moving a loved one into senior living. Taking these steps can help your senior family member get off to the best start when transitioning into assisted or independent living.