Moving your loved one into a new space can feel like an uphill climb, but there are easy ways to support your loved one during this transition to ensure it’s a positive experience for everyone involved; from cleaning and downsizing their home to making them feel comfortable in their new space. We put together some of our most important tips and resources aimed at making the transition experience as stress-free as possible for both you and your loved one.
- Cleaning & Downsizing: In order to keep the process simple, we recommend the three D’s – declutter, donate, and document. These will help you and your loved one stay on task and determine which items should be held onto, given to a family member, or thrown away. Read our blog on spring cleaning and downsizing for more tips.
- Move-In Day Recommendations: To ensure that moving in is as seamless as possible, it’s best to talk to the staff at the community to get their specific recommendations on how to make the move go smoothly. We recommend asking which entrance the movers can use and if any paperwork needs to be signed that day, for starters. Download our move-in guide for more tips that will help you feel more organized and less stressed while moving a loved one.
- Settling In: Once your loved one is moved in and unpacked, it’s time to make their new space feel like home. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using similar décor from their previous home, since their belongings are often what makes a place feel comfortable. Hanging up the same pictures on the walls, and if possible, using some of their furniture in their new space are great ways to help your loved one settle in. This will help them feel comfortable in their new space and start to feel at home. For more details about ways to help your loved one settle into their new space, read our blog post.
- Take Care of Yourself: During this period of transition, there will be a lot of factors to take into consideration. From move-in day prep to life at the senior living community, you and your loved one could experience a lot of emotion and stress that can cause setbacks. While you have been taking care of your loved one, it’s important to remember to take care of yourself as well. For some key ways you can take care of yourself while also taking care of your loved one during this time of transition.
There is a lot to factor in when your loved one is transitioning from their home to a senior living community. Whether they move to an independent living, assisted living, or a memory care community, cleaning and downsizing their belongings, move-in day itself, and the time it takes to settle into their new space can be challenging. At WSL, we aim at providing the resources and support you and your loved ones need to make this transition period as pain-free as possible.