You’ve reviewed senior housing options, narrowed down the choices, toured your short list, then toured with your parents, enjoyed meals, taken notes and pictures, asked questions of staff and residents, and you’ve made your decision.
Now what?
First, Lisa wants families to know that if there’s resistance or hesitation on the part of your parents, some communities offer a respite option. This “trial stay” is a wonderful way to experience living in the community, participate in activities, meet other residents, get to know staff, and experience the full menu.
Here are the Next Steps to plan for once a community has been selected:
The paperwork. This typically includes your parent meeting with the community’s nurse for an assessment. This is where the community will make sure that they are able to provide the care needed and understanding what the care needs. An assessment also helps with the creation of a care plan and to determine what support they will need when they move in. And your parent will also need to schedule a visit with their primary care provider as part of completing the paperwork.
- Consult with an Aging Life Care Professional® (aka Care Manager)like our team at Aging Wisdom if you need assistance narrowing down the field of choices. We can help you cut through the clutter, guide you in making informed decisions based on our knowledge of the different models of care, and understand the specific providers in the area, as well nuances you might not have considered. You can find an Aging Life Care™ Expert in your area by visiting the Aging Life Care Association. https://www.aginglifecare.org
Getting ready for the move:
Some important things to consider to make the move go as smoothly as possible:
- Plan the move earlier in the week, not on the weekend.
- Avoid moving in over or around a holiday.
- Medications — make sure you have all the information about your parent’s medication and insurance information.
Move-in date and moving plan. This will help with coordination on many levels, including a Moving Plan to determine what to pack and move, then the actual packing, moving of furniture and other belongings, and unpacking. This helps to make the transition as smooth and comfortable as possible.
- There are Senior Move Managers you can hire to assist with all these details. We have a list of trusted professionals with whom we’ve worked to assist clients in a move. You can also check the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM) website to find professionals near you. https://www.nasmm.org/find-a-move-manager/
Also, who will bring your parent/s to the community and when?
Be prepared for a rocky transition at first, but know that the staff are experts with these transitions. They will make sure your parents are comfortable, welcomed, and gradually acclimated to their new home.
Here are links to the printable resources we mentioned earlier.
Resources
- Top Ten Tips for a Successful Tour
- Questions to Ask Worksheet
- Financial Worksheet
- When Is It Time to Move? (Aging Wisdom blog article)
For quick reference, here are links to the Touring Tips we’ve shared over the past weeks: