Many older adults undergo physical and mental changes that make living independently more challenging. While some older adults may struggle with mobility, others may experience a decline in cognitive abilities. Whatever the change, many older adults will require additional support at some point in their lives. In fact, according to Forbes Magazine, over half of older adults ages 65 and older can expect to need additional care during their later years. Assisted living communities are often the best solution for many older adults in search of additional support. These communities are designed for seniors who need assistance but want to maintain a certain level of independence.
Assisted living communities generally provide support with daily activities such as meal preparation, medication management, personal hygiene activities and provide opportunities for social engagement. Transitioning to assisted living can be overwhelming for the entire family. That’s why we’ve created a checklist to help you streamline to-do’s and focus on what’s really important.
Finding the Perfect Assisted Living Community
If you and your loved one decide it’s the right time for assisted living, there are a few things to keep in mind as you start touring different communities. At Maplewood Senior Living, we have compiled a list of things to consider and questions to ask when looking for an assisted living community:
- Ask to meet the team. How can a resident or family member get in contact with the management team?
- Do they have apartments available? What sizes are offered? Is furniture provided?
- Ask about the culinary program. Is food prepared from scratch? You might consider asking for a menu or schedule a time to have lunch or dinner on the campus.
- Are nurses available 24 hours a day?
- What type of training is provided for the staff?
- Do they provide call lights, pendants, or life alerts? What’s the protocol for responding?
- Is transportation available for outings, doctor’s appointments, or grocery shopping?
- What accommodations are available when more care is required?
- What type of programming and cultural enrichment opportunities are available?
- Ask to speak with a current resident who would be willing to share their experience.
If you’re still unsure if moving to an assisted living community is the right choice, check out this tip sheet.
Assisted Living Checklist
A checklist for moving to assisted living can help keep you organized and understand what to expect as you prepare for your move. Preparing for assisted living often requires downsizing, hiring movers, arranging medical and legal paperwork, and making financial changes and arrangements. The National Council on Aging and the Elder Care Alliance have compiled suggestions to help make the transition to assisted living a little easier on the entire family. Here’s everything you need to know:
Moving Logistics
In many situations, older adults who are preparing to move to assisted living will need to downsize their personal items. The National Council on Aging suggests assessing the space before making the move and following these steps for a seamless transition:
- Get a floor plan. Ask your new community to provide you with a floor plan of your new apartment with measurements. If they are unable to provide these for you, you may be able to get access to take measurements yourself.
- Take pictures. As you visit assisted living communities, make sure to take pictures of the accommodations. It can be easy to forget the specifics of each community when you’re touring several communities in a short period of time.
- Hire movers. A moving company can set the tone for move-in day. You want the day to go as seamlessly as possible, so doing some research beforehand is crucial. As you search for a moving company make sure to read online reviews, get cost estimates, and make sure to understand the scope of their services. There are even some companies that specialize in senior living and have the resources to help with donations and estate sales.
Medical and Legal Preparations
There are so many small details to remember as you’re preparing a move to assisted living. It can be helpful to keep a binder to record all your important documents. Here are a few tasks to keep in mind:
- Complete all required forms and tests. Many assisted living communities require medical paperwork and health evaluations. Make sure you keep copies of all these documents, especially your contract and any other legal documents.
- Transfer any medical documents and prescriptions. If you move to an assisted living community that requires you to switch to a new health care provider or pharmacy, make sure to coordinate with the staff to transfer your medical records and medications. Many communities ask residents to switch to their community’s preferred provider.
- Complete power of attorney and advance directives. Moving to assisted living is a great time to appoint a power of attorney for health and finances. A power of attorney can act on your behalf to make sure your health and financial wishes are fulfilled. Advance directives inform healthcare providers of your medical desires when you are unable to communicate them yourself. These are very important documents that a community should keep on file.
Bills and Utilities
Before you move to assisted living, you’ll need to go through the process of managing your bills and utilities.
- Fill out a change-of-address form. In order to receive your mail at your new address, you need to fill out an official change-of-address form, which can be done online or at your local post office.
- Cancel your utilities. Most assisted living communities provide flat rate fees for rent which includes utilities. You may not need your cable and internet package or gas and electric services. Make sure you understand what is included in your contract and which services you will need to pay for out of pocket.
- Emergency pendants. Contact your new community and ask if they provide emergency pendants. Many communities pay for and provide a form of emergency support assistance. If you have a contract with an emergency alert provider, such as Life Alert, you may want to consider canceling your membership if one is provided in assisted living.
Downsizing
Logistically, moving into a smaller space takes a lot of planning and a willingness to part with some memorabilia. However, there are a few ways to make this process less painful and more efficient.
- Take inventory. Once you have a timeline set, it’s never too soon to start sorting your belongings. The most important step is to assess what you already have. If you come across an item you didn’t know you had or you never seem to use, it could be time to part ways.
- Minimize duplicates. It’s not uncommon to accumulate duplicate items throughout the years. As you go through your belongings, you will need a system to keep you organized. Many professional movers use the three box method, which includes sorting items into three categories: “keep”, “get rid of”, and “put into storage”. Items used every day should fall into the “keep” category, sentimental items could be “put into storage,” while duplicates and unused items should be donated.
- Declutter. When downsizing, many items can be compressed. For example, photo albums and home movies can be digitalized and stored on DVDs or on a hard drive for easy access and storage. If you have a collection of items, like teapots or mugs, consider keeping a few of your favorite items and finding a home for the rest.
- Embrace your new home. Downsizing is an emotional experience. Take time to appreciate your new space by decorating, organizing, and make sure to have fun with this new chapter. Recreating your new space to feel new or even to look like the home you’ve left can help ease the transition. Showcase your favorite items and remember to be gentle with yourself during this time of transition.
For more information, check out the Top 10 Things to Consider When Looking for an Assisted Living Residence.
Assisted Living at Maplewood Senior Living
We know how challenging a transition to assisted living can be for the entire family. If you’re preparing for a move, we’ve got the resources and tools you need for a seamless experience. To learn more about our offerings or to schedule a tour, please contact us.
