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Helping Your Parents Make the Transition to Assisted Living

Lexington Place Admin

15 Tips for a smooth transition


Transitioning to an assisted living community can be intimidating, and is one of the biggest adjustments seniors will make in their golden years. While it’s impossible to remove all of the worries and anxieties that will come with the move, there are steps you can take to make it easier for you and your parent. Following are some great tips to help you navigate the transition to assisted living.


Getting Prepared: Before the Move


Pack efficiently and deliberately

Start as early as possible, and prioritize the most important items first, according to your parent’s needs and wants, taking into consideration the size of the space they’re moving into. We recommend creating a checklist to keep the packing process organized. Start with essential items like toiletries, medications, clothing, bedding and furniture. Then move on to sentimental items. If you approach packing in a step-by-step manner without rushing, the process will be far less stressful for you and your parent. Remember to keep an organized record of all moving expenses—they are tax deductible!


Take care of all logistical items - Make a plan to cancel ongoing services like cable, internet, and utilities. Contact the post office to have mail forwarded to your parent’s new address. Also be sure to update your parent’s address with his/her credit card accounts, bank accounts, magazine subscriptions, and any other important service and medical providers. 


Allow time for the emotional transition - Let’s face it, no one is ever emotionally prepared for this type of move, so feelings of uncertainty and anxiety are normal. Take advantage of social circles for support. Good places to start are your family, friends, your church, and/or counselors. Encourage your parent to open up about how he/she is feeling throughout the process so that you can identify if and when you need to get help from family or a professional.


Set up your parent's new living space - Make your parent feel at home by arranging furniture and decorations in a familiar fashion. Display sentimental items prominently, to help him/her adapt to their new space. 



Getting Acclimated: The First Week and Beyond


This is a new and exciting chapter in your parent’s life. There will be a lot going on at first, so getting adjusted to assisted living doesn’t happen overnight. The following tips can help make the transition easier for you and your parent:


  • Get Acquainted with neighbors: Your parent will likely have several neighbors in their hallway, on their floor, or even right next door. Each person they meet could become a new friend. Encourage your parent to reach out to introduce themselves to their new neighbors. Each resident who has gone through the transition period can serve as a wonderful resource and provide valuable guidance for the weeks ahead.


  • Familiarize Yourself with the Caregivers and Staff: During the first week, your parent will meet several community staff and caregivers to assess their needs and create a care plan. This includes nurses, dining staff, social directors, fitness staff, and others on the community leadership team. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have for them at any time.


  • Spend time with your parent: Be sure to visit as often as possible. This is especially important during their first weeks in the community. You want to ensure your parent can get adjusted without feeling abandoned. Sharing a meal is a great way to spend time whenever you visit. Most communities offer a range of dining options from dine-in to take-out, so check and see what’s available.


  • Get involved in community activities, events, and groups: One of the major benefits of assisted living communities is the social programming they offer. Make sure your parent gets a copy of the activities calendar and speaks with other residents to learn more about community activities. Attending social events provides a great opportunity to get to know other residents. In time, your parent will discover his/her favorite activities and have them to look forward to regularly. Ensure that your parent takes advantage of community fitness programs to improve and maintain his/her strength, agility, mental sharpness, and happiness. 


  • Stay involved in life outside the community: Living in an assisted living community doesn’t mean your parent’s outside life gets put on pause. Your parent will still have the freedom to come and go whenever and wherever he/she wants. Many communities offer transportation services for trips to the doctor, grocery store, and other familiar places. There are also other senior transportation services available for trips that aren’t covered by the assisted living community.


The staff at Lexington Place is highly skilled in making the transition to assisted living easy and engaging! Contact us today for a tour, or to receive additional resources and information.


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