Senior Living: What Families Should Know Before the Move

A senior family member moving to a senior living community is an exciting and transformative experience for the entire family. However, preparing for the move is daunting since seniors cannot accumulate as many things in the senior living facility as they did at home.

This makes the family wonder what to keep and what to dispose of since even the stuff without a monetary value has sentimental value. Therefore, the family should help the elderly downsize and declutter before moving into a senior living community. This article will highlight a few things families should know before their loved ones move to a senior living facility.

Understand Why the Older Adult Needs Assisted Living

Many healthy seniors move to assisted living to enjoy independence and avoid complicating the busy lives of their family members. However, some are diagnosed with physical or memory problems that make it hard for them to live independently.

When all family members know why their aged parent is getting moved into senior living, they support the decision and safeguard the family interests. They can select a reliable facility that meets the interests and unique needs of the senior. They also ask about the amenities and services to adjust their expectations.

Downsize and Organize Essentials

One problem for seniors moving into an assisted living facility is that they must downsize from a spacious home with many rooms to a studio or apartment. Although seniors do not need many rooms and things to enjoy an independent life, they still wonder what to keep and what to let go.

Before decluttering or selling stuff, the older adult’s family should know the living arrangements in the senior home. This will help them determine what the senior will require in the new space and whether they will share the apartment with another resident.

Also, they should determine the size of the room and the things provided by the management. With this in mind, the family can choose what to give out or sell and what to organize for the new home.

Make Health Considerations

Senior homes require residents to have medical reports or treatment history. This makes it easy to help seniors if a medical emergency arises. Therefore, families taking their loved ones to the senior home should consider the health requirements.

The family should provide diagnosis documents and medication if a senior has a chronic condition. They should also discuss the level of care required by the new resident. If the loved one needs special attention, the family should provide referral documents and the contact details of the medical professionals who could provide specialized care.

Review Financial and Legal Matters

Before leaving home for an assisted living community, aging parents should update their legal documents, such as the will. These documents should reflect the wishes of the senior on crucial matters. The estate planning documents should guide the family on what to do regarding the property if the aged parent becomes incapacitated or passes on in the new home.

Also, legal and financial documents guide family members on who should manage finances or income from investments if the aged parent cannot do so at some point. The family should also share financial obligations and decide who will pay the monthly assisted living fees. They should then change the postal address and fill out any paperwork facilitating the move.

These simple tips can help aging parents enjoy a smooth experience when moving into an assisted living community. Therefore, family members should understand these points to enhance the outcome of the move. Lastly, they might need to consult legal, medical, and financial professionals for guidance. 

Joshua White is a passionate and experienced website article writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content. With a background in journalism and digital marketing, Joshua brings a unique perspective to his writing, ensuring that each piece resonates with readers. His dedication to delivering high-quality, informative, and captivating articles has earned him a reputation for excellence in the industry. When he’s not writing, Joshua enjoys exploring new topics and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in content creation.

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