Deciding to move a loved one into assisted living can be difficult. It’s often hard for us to accept the fact that our aging parents who once took care of us are struggling to take care of themselves. People often want to cover their elderly loved ones’ care on their own, so they can stay in their homes for as long as possible. In most cases, though, that responsibility becomes far more than adult children can handle even if there’s help involved.
Making the Best Decision for Your Loved One
In truth, moving an aging parent into assisted living can be incredibly beneficial for you and them. Letting go and relinquishing an elderly loved one’s care into the hands of an experienced team of professionals is often the best solution. Finding the right assisted living community will guarantee all your loved one’s needs are being met and allow you to develop a stronger, more relaxed relationship with him or her.
At Orchard Park at Victory Lakes, we’re committed to providing the highest level of care for our residents. We go the extra mile to ensure your loved one’s comfort, safety, and health. Whether he or she needs minimal assistance with a few daily activities or advanced memory care living, we stand ready to accommodate those requirements. We offer a variety of apartment layouts and numerous activities and amenities to help create a happy, healthy new life for your aging loved one.
Simplifying the Transition to Assisted Living
Though you may realize you’re making the best decision for your loved one, actually moving him or her into assisted living can still be difficult. That’s true for your loved one as well as everyone else involved. We want the move to be as stress-free as possible, so we’re providing the following tips to make the matter easier and more successful.
Plan Ahead
As you probably already know, moving is a laborious and time-consuming process. Without a plan in place, it can be particularly chaotic and stressful. Stress can have a significant impact on an elderly person’s physical and mental health, not to mention yours. Reduce stress by developing a strategy for packing and making the transition to assisted living. Simply having a plan in place will undoubtedly make things easier. Don’t overlook the value of planning ahead for financial concerns and other matters, either. The more prepared everyone is, the simpler the transition will be.
Take It Slow
Another effective way to manage stress and simplify the transition to assisted living in League City, TX is to take a slow, methodical approach to moving. During the packing process, start with items your loved one rarely uses if at all. Those could be old clothes, seasonal items and decor, and kitchen implements.
Keep in mind, your loved one may not be able to take all his or her belongings to the new home. That means he or she will need to let go of certain items, and that may not be easy to do. Those belongings have been collected over an entire lifetime, and many of them probably hold sentimental value. Allow your loved one to choose a few items to keep and a few to donate to charity or give to friends and family members.
Above all else, don’t try to do everything at once. Attack one area of the home each week or at least allow a few days in between sorting and packing. Leave some decorative pieces and pictures until the last minute to help keep your loved one calm and grounded. Things may not go exactly according to your plan, but having a plan in place will certainly help.
Keep Your Loved One Informed
Not all elderly people can be fully active in packing and preparing to move depending on their specific needs and the level of care they require. If your loved one is living with dementia or other conditions that limit mobility, cognitive ability, and other senses, you may need to do all the work on your own. Regardless of how involved your loved one can be, keep him or her informed. Talk about what’s happening and what you’re doing. Chat about certain items you’re preparing to pack. Let your loved one hold some items and reminisce over them. Keeping your loved one informed along the way will help ease fear and stress.
Getting the Care Your Loved One Deserves
In many cases, letting go and placing your loved one’s care in the hands of experienced professionals is the best decision. That may not make it any easier in the beginning, but you’ll soon see that it was the right move. Making sure you choose the right community to handle all your loved one’s needs is crucial. Additionally, following the tips we’ve provided can help ensure the transition goes much more smoothly.
