Starting A New Phase- A Guide To Moving Into Assisted & Senior Living

Moving to an assisted living facility can be stressful for many people.

A survey conducted by The NCOA Reviews Team in 2023 showed that 40% of caregivers of elderly individuals who explored senior living alternatives did so because of a fall or medical diagnosis, which can complicate the moving process. Although planning is advisable, unforeseen circumstances can sometimes make it challenging to prepare a plan.

If you are currently searching for an ideal senior living community for your loved one, consider our advice on initiating the search. This can help you and your family members stay organized and reduce stress.

1. Simplifying Your Move to Assisted Living

Transitioning to assisted living often requires moving to a smaller living space. This could mean sharing an apartment or moving into a studio. Therefore, it is essential to determine how much to downsize and pack only what is necessary.

Downsizing Essentials

To effectively downsize for an assisted living move, obtain a floor plan from the facility or measure the space to guide your packing. Take photos during your visit for a visual reminder of the space and amenities. Understanding the services provided, such as meals, will help determine necessities. Despite the provision of meals, consider bringing small kitchen items for snacks.

Before you start sorting and packing, touching base with the facility is a good idea. Here’s what you might want to ask:

• Is there a packing checklist for new residents?
• Should I bring any particular items? Do I need a specific type of laundry basket or shower curtain?
• Are there things I can’t bring? Some places don’t allow throwing rugs because they could pose tripping hazards.

Packing Smart

In assisted living, closet space might be at a premium. Before packing, check how much storage space you’re getting. You might get a wardrobe instead of a built-in closet, so knowing this can guide your decision on which furniture and clothes to take. Also, many places offer laundry services but ask you to label your clothes to avoid mix-ups. A permanent marker works great for labels, or you can use no-iron labels for a fuss-free option.

2. The Logistics of Moving

Pre-planning and seeking help from family, a senior move manager, or professional movers can significantly ease the transition.

Planning Your Move

Set a move-in date with the assisted living facility and plan backwards from there, covering packing paperwork and financial details. Since the actual move is just a day, most effort goes into preparation. For a smoother experience, consider hiring a senior move manager. Endorsed by the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers, these professionals assist with everything from downsizing to making your new place feel like home, significantly easing the transition stress.

Choosing Movers

When moving to assisted living, deciding on professional movers depends on the size of your current home and your new space. If you’re moving from a small place, family and friends might handle it. However, a more significant home move could mean needing pros. Find good movers by asking the facility for suggestions and checking online reviews. Aim to get quotes from a few trusted companies, ensuring they’re licensed, insured, and available when needed, especially for moving heavier items.

3. Handling the Paperwork

Before moving, tackle necessary paperwork and administrative tasks like updating addresses, managing bills, and handling utilities.

Pre-Move Checklist:

Fill out all required forms with the assisted living community.

Cancel or adjust utility services as needed since the facility covers many, but check if you need to set up services like Wi-Fi or a phone line.

Complete a change-of-address form to ensure mail is correctly forwarded.

For added security, especially for residents with dementia, consider having mail sent to a family member’s address instead.

4. Health and Medical Considerations

Moving to an assisted living facility means considering various health and medical needs upfront. Coordinating with the facility’s team to understand the health and medical support available becomes a key piece of making this transition smooth and ensuring you or your loved one gets the care needed.

Important Steps

Before moving into an assisted living facility, residents must submit TB test results and a physician referral form detailing their medical needs. Facilities might also ask for a COVID-19 test. Staff then assess each resident’s care requirements, from daily activities to medication management. Sharing personal interests with staff helps tailor social activities for better integration. Residents can access on-site healthcare professionals and may need to coordinate external appointments. If changing healthcare providers, transferring medical records and prescriptions is crucial, ensuring care continuity in the facility.

5. Legal and Financial Matters

Moving to assisted living is the perfect chance to tidy up your legal and financial matters.

Before transitioning to assisted living:

• To honour your care preferences, update essential legal documents—Social Security card, health insurance IDs, power of attorney, DNR order, and living will.
• Keep copies secure in your apartment.
• In addition to the simplified monthly bill for most services, ensure a financial power of attorney is in place, discuss costs and payment plans with the facility, clarify long-term care insurance benefits, and set up recurring payments for personal expenses.

This ensures a smooth adjustment to assisted living.

Bottom Line

Shifting into assisted living can ultimately bring stress to both seniors and their caregivers. It’s a significant change that often means paring down belongings and handling many legal, financial, and health-related paperwork. Having a checklist for the move can be a game-changer, helping you stay organized and cover all bases.