CARE AND SERVICES

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 You have made the decision to move into an assisted living residence.  Yet you still have many questions. Do I really need the help? Will I  make new friends? Will I receive help when I need it? Will I continue to  see my family and friends? While all these questions are common, the  answer to all of them is the same—Yes! You can make new friends, you can  receive the personal assistance you need, and you can continue to see  your family and friends.

Change can be challenging. The time it takes to transition is  different for everyone. The keys to success are preparation, a positive  attitude, a supportive network of family and friends, along with  patience and understanding—all will prepare you for a smooth transition.

Privacy Concerns

One of the biggest differences between living in your own home and  assisted living is the number of people under one roof. You will have  the opportunity to be around your contemporaries and make new friends.  However, that doesn’t mean you will lose your privacy. Your room is your  space. Friends and family can visit you, but you determine when.

What To Bring To Your New Home

Soon after selecting a facility, residents say to begin planning for  your move, including deciding which personal items such as furniture,  keepsakes, and photographs to move. Based upon their personal  experiences, many residents suggest you see the actual room or unit that  you will move into and take measurements. Ask the administrator or  director what furniture, the residence will provide. Some residences may  provide minimal furniture, such as a bed or chair upon request; other  residences encourage you to bring whatever furnishings will make you  feel comfortable in your new home. Experience indicates that making  choices about personal possessions is difficult at the time; however,  one resident said, “It’s not as bad as you think . . . Try to remain  positive and have family and friends help you.” Residents suggest that  you might want to leave large pieces of furniture at home, since your  room will probably be smaller than your current home. They also suggest  that you bring smaller prized possessions to create that “at-home”  feeling in your new assisted living room. And, for those possessions  that you can’t part with but aren’t sure that you want to bring with  you, consider putting those items in a storage unit or asking family to  temporarily store the items for you. This way you will have time to  determine which items are important to have with you at your new home.  You should start packing well in advance of the actual move. Sort  through your clothes and decide what you will need and how much your new  closets will hold. Residents advise to be sure to look at available  closet and storage space to avoid bringing more than the closets can  hold. Avoid bringing too many of one thing such as coats.

Moving Day Helpers

When moving day arrives and you are ready to set up your new home,  ask family and friends to help arrange and organize your room. Many  assisted living residences have staff members who can help move your  furniture and other heavy pieces into your new apartment. You will want  to find out what assistance the residence offers before you arrive on  moving day. Although staff, family members, and friends are there to  help you, it is important that you decide how

your apartment is arranged. Remember, arranging your apartment to suit your preferences will make your adjustment easier.

Making the Emotional Transition

Moving is hard. It can make anyone feel overwhelmed and stressed.  However, these feelings are generally temporary and disappear after you  establish your own routine. “Give it time and you will adjust,” said one  resident. In talking with other residents, you will find many of them  felt the same way. Some residents found comfort in talking with clergy.  Others found comfort in talking to a neighbor or close friend. Residents  say the best strategy is to stay busy, introduce yourself to other  residents, and participate in the activities. It is normal to have a  tendency to stay

in your room at first. Yet, getting out and meeting other residents  as well as participating in activities were repeatedly identified as the  quickest ways to become comfortable with your new surroundings.  Everyone is different. Some people embrace the move with open arms,  while for others it may not be as easy. Whatever your feelings, current  residents say these feelings are normal. Give yourself time to adjust.  If you feel you are taking longer to adjust than what you consider  normal, then you might benefit from discussing your concerns and  feelings with the administrator or director of the residence.

More Advice For New Residents

• Read all the materials about the assisted living residence before you move in.
• Try and meet the administrator or director and staff before moving day.
• Review the paperwork and contract before you move in so that your questions can be answered in advance.
• Pack wisely. Don’t bring everything.
• Obtain a list from the residence of suggested items to bring.
• Obtain a list of residence policies and familiarize yourself with them.
• Label your clothing if the residence is helping you with laundry.
• Read the activity schedule and choose two or three programs to attend early on to meet your neighbors and other residents.

Advice for Friends and Family Members

Current residents advise friends and family members to be involved  before, during, and after the move. Your loved one does not want to be  seen or treated differently now that they live in an assisted living  residence. Remember, your family member or friend hasn’t changed; it’s  only their home address that has changed. Be aware. Family members and  close friends often experience the same emotions as a new resident.  These emotions are natural and to be expected.

Suggested Do’s For Friends and Relatives

• If requested, help with the sorting, packing, and moving.
• Listen as your loved one talks about what they left behind.
• Be helpful even if you do not agree with the decision to move.
• Recognize that moving to a new home represents a major change.
• Call and visit often during the first few weeks.
• Be positive. A smile, support, patience, and understanding are required.

Suggested Don'ts for Friends and Relatives

• Make all the decisions or take over the sorting, packing, and moving process.
• Focus only on yourselves. This is about the resident moving, not you!
• Criticize the decision to move into assisted living.
• Make light of the transition.
• Immediately talk about selling the resident’s house.
• Make promises that you cannot keep.
• Be negative.

Final Thoughts

Everyone copes differently with change based on his or her own  personality, life experiences, and circumstances. Patience, support, and  understanding are key themes that residents say helped them, their  families, and friends with transitioning into assisted living.

Rest assured that the assisted living staff is experienced, ready,  and willing to assist you with your move. Don’t be shy about asking  questions or seeking assistance. It is each assisted living residence’s  goal that your move is a positive experience for you.