The process of moving into assisted living is daunting, especially due to the complexity of the planning and many details that need proper management. Luckily, it can be less intimidating with proper support and resources. If you have decided to get into the assisted living community, that is a major step. The next phase is understanding what every senior should know for a smooth transition. With that said, every senior should know the following approaches;
Finding The Right Moving Company
Prioritizing the process of moving into assisted living should be done before deciding what to keep during the relocation. The best way to find reliable movers is to do an online search, but after you have a short list, it’s time to start making phone calls and setting up in-person meetings. Face-to-face meetings are vital because not every potential moving company matches your needs.
Relocating an elderly person is a complex task, so hiring a senior move manager may be worthwhile. If you don’t know how to find the right moving company, seek referrals from friends and family members for reliable local moving companies. Alternatively, your assisted living facility probably has a list of local moving companies since they deal with residents moving in on a regular basis. It’s possible that some of these firms have expertise in moving seniors to and from assisted living facilities.
When it comes to cost, find out exactly what is covered and what isn’t in each moving company’s contract. You should have all of your finances in order before hiring a moving company. Therefore, detailed budgeting is crucial when moving into an assisted care facility.
What every senior should know is that, as you listen to the feedback of current and former clients that used a particular moving company, you should also verify whether the firm you wish to hire has a license and insurance. If you want things to go smoothly on moving day, this should become one of the first questions you ask potential moving companies. In addition, you need to ask the mover whether they will be available on the day you plan to move in.
Finally, confirm whether the selected moving company has the resources to transport bulky or unusual items. You should verify that the business can handle the weight of your large furniture or hospital bed. The moving of such things typically necessitates specialized knowledge and care.
Packing Tips
You are now prepared to start packing; begin with the most frequently used items first. Expert movers for the elderly can assist with every step of the relocation process. They will evaluate the current residential property, check the dimensions of the new home, and offer advice on what should be taken and what is left behind.
Expert moves will also come in handy when you need someone to help you arrange for property sale, donations, and long-term storage for any items that won’t be coming with you to your new neighborhood. Additionally, they will find a moving company, coordinate with them, pack, unpack, and set up the new place for you. Hiring a professional mover can be expensive, but the time and effort they’ll save you is worthwhile for many households.
Notably, if you’re packing yourself, toiletries, medications, clothing, bedding, and furnishings are essential. Subsequently, move on to gifts like movies, books, knitting kits, or other types of entertainment that you will use frequently. Bring a few cooking utensils and plates if the new place has a kitchen. It’s important to know that mobile moving storage units for rent are quite helpful, and you should consider acquiring these options for easy packing and safe transportation.
Labeling items before moving into assisted living is crucial because it will help in knowing which pieces need to be transported, which may be stored, which can be sold or given away, and which can be discarded. You and the moving service will benefit if you take enough time to get organized. That involves keeping your jewelry and heirlooms safe. Store valuables in a safe-deposit box so you don’t have to worry about losing them.
Generally, pack the following items when moving into assisted living;
Home Furniture
- Sofas, chairs, and nightstands
- Folding chairs
- Kitchen utensils
- Sheets, blankets, and pillows
- Lamps
- Curios
- Pictures and paintings in frames
- Clothes hangers
- Alarm clock
- Cleaning wipes
- TV and radio
- Assistive devices like eyeglasses, walkers, hearing aids etc
- Favorite books and magazines
Clothing
- Comfortable wear like sweats, jeans, and a sweater
- Nightgown and bathrobe
- Socks/Slippers/Shoes
- Jackets
- Formal clothes for special events
Toiletries
- Medications
- Soap and shampoo
- Lotion
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Razor
Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
When looking at assisted living facilities, you probably want to find a place that offers ultimate safety, comfort and peace. Of course, that’s what you ought to be chasing. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of assisted living care services and facilities in the United States. However, finding the best-assisted living service is more straightforward if you go into the search with some knowledge and experience.
Assisted living individuals typically require assistance with at least three activities of daily living (ADLs), which include things like eating, bathing, using the restroom, getting dressed, and moving in and out of a wheelchair. Apart from taking into account the range of available assisted living care services, location is also a major consideration when choosing an assisted living facility. Consider whether to remain in the current town and benefit from an assisted living facility or move closer to caring family members who can help coordinate your care.
What every senior should know is that after setting up a particular location, it’s time to make a list of local facilities. Potential facilities can be found through web searches, but it’s also a good idea to contact relatives, friends, senior advocacy groups, and religious communities for recommendations.
Understanding Assisted Living Costs and Policies
The assisted living cost is what every senior should know. Planning for long-term care needs is much easier when you have a solid understanding of the costs related to assisted living. Families will plan better for the expense of care when they know about the available services and what they will need to pay.
Policies of assisted living vary from one institution to another. Therefore, it’s paramount for the seniors to know the terms and regulations of the selected facility for proper preparation during the moving-in process and stay. What every senior should know about assisted living policies and guidelines is easily accessible through the internet.
Maintaining a Safe and Comfortable Living Environment
Any person living alone, regardless of age, has worries about being vulnerable to humans and natural disasters. For seniors, in particular, living independently can bring both the freedom of being on their own and the fear of being unable to get help in an emergency. For optimal safety, there are various things you can do, whether staying alone in your home or in a senior living community.
Problematic areas for the seniors include the living room, corridor, kitchen, and bathroom. The installation of fire extinguishers, additional reinforcement of staircase and railing security, and the elimination of electrical wires in pedestrian areas are all measures seniors may take to improve safety. The kitchen should be kept clean and tidy, with no clutter on the floors or countertops and any sharp things stowed on a rack out of the way.
Bathroom safety measures include adding handrails and grab bars, coating the tub’s bottom with a non-slip material, and using double-sided locks. If there are stressful plumbing problems like leakages and clogging, you should consider hiring an expert for any plumbing repair. Finally, a medical alert system is a highly recommended safety device since it allows the elderly to contact medical professionals if an emergency arises.
Benefits of Well-Maintained Outdoor Space For Seniors
Outdoor activities benefit elders in many ways. Scientific studies have shown that people feel better after spending time in green and blue environments like parks and around water features. The likelihood of developing mental health issues is lower in elderly people who spend most of their time outside.
You should hire landscaping services and use landscape mulch to protect natural environments that have a positive effect on mood and happiness levels. What every senior should know is that a sense of fulfillment is boosted by staying in natural settings. The green spaces also ease depression and anxiety. As a senior, don’t hesitate to engage in outdoor activities such as birdwatching, going for picnics, fruit picking, gardening, and walking.
Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Tips For Seniors
Many elderly individuals would rather remain in their own homes than go to an assisted living facility. However, this choice requires adaptations, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom, to ensure safety and comfort. Grab bars, curbless showers, walk-in tubs, cushioned bench seats, and wide doorways are crucial components of bathrooms designed with seniors in mind. These modifications make the bathroom safer for the elderly and allow them to age with dignity.
To make the kitchen elder-friendly, it should be remodeled using universal design principles. Among these are ample lighting, low-height counters and cabinetry, wall-mounted appliances, slip-resistant flooring, and a calming color scheme. The use of both natural and artificial lighting, the installation of D-shaped knobs on cabinetry, and the selection of anti-skid flooring are all recommended. The kitchen and bathroom remodelers should know that the target audience is the elderly, so every room design should prioritize safety, ease of use, and relaxation.
Home Repair Assistance For Seniors
As senior citizens get older, they may be unable to care for their homes. Luckily, what every senior should know is that there are a number of professional contractors who can help with home repair and improvement programs by charging them less or a percentage of their income.
Seniors can seek assistance with home repairs such as new roof install and other types of home improvements from groups like Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity. Medicare and Medicaid cover the expense of making necessary safety adjustments to a home, and programs like LIHEAP and WAP can help with utility bills.
Social and Recreational Activities
Every real estate company usually takes into account the availability of space and recreational facilities in assisted living homes. Therefore, when moving into assisted living, seniors should consider the possibility of gaining the immense benefits of social and recreational activities.
Recreational activities are beneficial to the health and well-being of the elderly. What every senior should know is that they can benefit from a wide variety of hobbies and pass-time activities like volunteering, biking, reading, dancing, swimming, yoga or tai chi, woodwork, knitting or knitting, listening to music, gardening, playing games and participating in organized sports.
Protect Yourself
As you move into assisted living, take care of yourself. Seniors should know that after getting into the assisted living community, don’t ignore any safety details. Mobility and accessibility problems, falls, medical emergencies, and break-ins are just some of the threats that the elderly face in their assisted living communities. Removing risks and installing accessibility and security equipment are crucial to making a house safe for seniors.
Some of the changes that seniors can do to protect themselves include clearing the area of clutter and securing any loose fixtures. To prevent falls, apply non-slip wax to floors and use rubber or adhesive mats. It’s also important to install non-skid treads on uncarpeted stairs in combination with high impact glass windows.
For easy navigation, consider enlarging doors and installing ramps. Waterproof seats and chairs, lever handles on doors, and textured non-slip strips are just a few examples of how to make a home more accessible. The addition of nightlights and better illumination throughout the house and the outside environment is also helpful.
Moving into an assisted living facility can be challenging but easier with early preparation and correct help. What every senior should know is that finding a reliable moving company should be a top priority. It is also necessary to consider renting mobile moving storage containers for safe transportation, labeling products, and packing all the essentials before transferring them into the facility. An assisted living facility’s location is important, but so are the other amenities that residents require, such as security, convenience, and tranquility. Finally, while it may be costly to hire a professional mover, doing so is more beneficial in the long run.