Planning the move to assisted living is never easy, and in fact, can be quite challenging. Everyone’s emotions will likely be running on overdrive. Moving is never easy at any age, and the implications of moving into an assisted living arrangement can sometimes be overwhelming for an elderly person who may feel a sense of defeat or a loss of independence and control over their life. As a caregiver, there are things that you can do to help the move come about with less stress.

Emotional

Preparing for the emotional impact that this move will have on your loved one, your other family members, and yourself is important to make the move seem like the positive change that it is. Talk to your loved one and everyone else that is involved in the decision to seek alternative housing options. Listen to the concerns, fears, and hopes that your loved one has about moving, and reassure them that this is just a change in residence, and that you will still be there for them. Oftentimes, seniors feel that moving to an assisted living facility means that they are being “tucked away in an old folk’s home”, so help them to move beyond that tired cliché with gentle reassurance. Point out all of the good things that are in store for them: access to medical care around the clock, help with daily living activities, and social opportunities that will help to occupy their time.

Financial

Getting your loved one’s finances in order prior to moving into assisted living is important. You may have already decided on an assisted living arrangement, and have already taken a look at the financial aspect of the move. Most assisted living or continuing care facilities and communities will ask for documentation of your loved one’s income and assets, so be prepared to give them financial statements and bank records. You might also want to get your loved one’s home appraised, especially if you will be placing it on the market to help defer the cost of care.

Legal

Moving into an assisted living arrangement will require that you and your loved one sign many documents. Contracts and agreements that go hand-in-hand with moving into an assisted living home, retirement community, or nursing home should be read very carefully. Make sure that the documents are specific to the type of care that your loved one will receive and that you understand what you are agreeing to when you sign your name. This may also be the best time for your loved one to choose a power of attorney or other legal representative to make choices for them when the time comes that they are unable to make decisions on their own (assuming that this has not yet been done). Most states require that a power of attorney (sometimes called POA) be designated in front of a notary public in order to be valid.

Downsizing

The hardest part of moving from a house into an assisted living arrangement is downsizing. Many seniors have huge homes full of furniture and belongings, and most assisted living apartments and rooms are minimal as far as space goes. Downsizing is a painful process for many seniors who have enjoyed the luxury of space for so many years. You can help them to determine which possessions they truly must take with them to their new home, and which they should leave behind. Some seniors like to make gifts of larger furniture items to other family members, or they might choose to have an estate sale to raise funds for the move. Be respectful of the senior’s wishes and keep in mind that it is hard for them to fit a lifetime of memories into small quarters, so they will need all the help that you can muster to make decisions on what goes and what stays.