Know how to convince seniors to move to a senior care facility

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Mrach

Know how to convince seniors to move to a senior care facility

You've finally persuaded your elderly parent that they need some assistance with daily living activities (ADLs) and domestic tasks. You have chosen an assisted living facility for seniors that is suitable for their requirements, personalities, and budget.

However, you could still anticipate some opposition from your elderly loved one to the move to assisted living.

Getting a senior family member ready for a move

The following hints will make the transition easier:

1. Encourage your elderly loved one

Encourage your loved one to decide on their senior community. Let them choose the furniture and decorations, as well as what they take with them and what they leave behind.

You may even lay out a floor plan on graph paper or a computer or tablet, so they can consider the furniture placement and what items will fit in their new home.

As you pack and schedule the move, let your loved one choose the moving day.

You could also draw up a floor plan for them on graph paper, a computer, or a tablet so they can think about where to put the furniture and what would fit in their new house.

Let your loved one pick the moving day while you go about packing and planning the move.

2. Return to the area several times

Spending time in the community with your loved one before the move will help prepare them for what is to come. Learn about the other residents, family members, and staff. Open the lines of communication and encourage your loved one to ask any questions they might have.

3. Continue talking

Discuss every aspect, including the seemingly unimportant ones. Moving into assisted living may feel like giving control of their life to your loved one. Regain some of that power by including them in the decision-making process.

4. Adopt a homely aesthetic

In the senior community, don't treat your loved one's place like a hotel suite. Their new house will be there. Allow your senior family members to surround themselves with the things they adore by hanging their favorite artwork on the walls, placing picture frames with pictures of the family, and more.

5. Make the change easier

Patricia Bowen, a senior move manager at Get Ready for Tomorrow, suggests making arrangements to spend the whole moving day with your loved one. After assisting them with moving into their apartment, participate in some community events, stroll the grounds, and have dinner together in the dining room.

6. Schedule some time for your emotions

As you move a loved one into assisted living, give yourself time and permission to acknowledge the loss that results. Although you could have more free time and mental clarity, you might also experience empty nest syndrome. After you've finished all the packing, moving, and decorating, treat yourself to some alone time.