Moving is always a stressful experience and when the move is to a assisted living facility it can be an especially difficult transition.
If you are helping a parent or loved move to a care home the process can be fraught with emotion. Here are a few recommendations of how you can help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Take a Tour
In advance, take your loved one to see the room and tour the facilities. This can help them picture where they will be moving to and give them a sense of the size of the room. This also give you the opportunity to talk to both the staff and the residents. Many assisted living communities are open on weekends for visits for potential residents. To schedule a tour of Valley Comfort go to valleycomfortinc.com/contact-us or call us at (209) 544-8676.
Plan Ahead
Before the move-in date take a look at the room to see what there will be space for and what furniture will be provided. When packing, work with your loved one to identify their favorite belongings. Perhaps it is a crocheted afghan, a collection of Western novels or drawings by the grandkids. Select photographs, knick knacks and keepsakes that are important to them. These familiar items can make their room feel much more like home.
Work with the Staff
Find out ahead of time if the staff has any recommendations for move-in day. For example, ask where you should park. While this may seem like a minor detail, having a “game plan” can help keep things from getting hectic when the time comes to start moving boxes. Ask if there are items that it is recommended you do or do not bring. Also, find out who is the main “point-person,” for example, who is the best person to talk to when there are issues such as a leaky faucet.
Set Up Their Space
Help them unpack, but let them decide where to put things. Their independence is important and this is their space. Take the time to make it feel like home as much as possible, from hanging photos on the wall to putting a familiar quilt on the bed.
Show Your Support
Try to put yourself in their shoes. Think back to how you felt on the first day of school or the first day jitter you had when starting a new job. Have a positive attitude and be patient. Keep in mind that this is a major life change. It is understandable that they may have a feeling of loss, especially if they are moving out of a home where they lived for many years. If possible, stick around and share a meal that first day. Between personal and professional commitments being busy is a fact of life, but try to visit as frequently as possible.
Get Them Involved Socially
Take a look at the activities calendar. Find activities that appeal to them and get them signed up! Write things down on a calendar so they can know what they look forward to in the coming weeks. Do they love music and you see that a local choir is performing for the residents at the end of the month? Write in down on a calendar. If you know the next time you will be able to visit, add it to the calendar. While transitions can be difficult for everyone involved, showing your support can help ease the transition.
Here at Valley Comfort, we truly try to live up to our name. We try to make the settling-in transition as easy as possible for our guests. If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at (209) 544-8676.
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