Transitioning to personal care can be a mix of nostalgic reflection and the anticipation of new beginnings for older adults. For many families and their loved ones, downsizing and moving can also seem daunting.
However, with the following tips, your loved one can look forward to a smooth transition to a senior living community:
- Encourage open communication
- Involve loved ones in decision-making
- Start planning early
- Create a checklist
- Seek support
- Get your home ready to sell
- Consider the new living space
- Hire movers
- Settling in and making it feel like home
What Is Personal Care?
Personal care is a residential option for older adults who need help with some activities of daily living. Residents usually have their apartments or rooms and share common areas.
Personal care communities offer a balance of care and independence by providing support where needed while encouraging residents to maintain their individual preferences and hobbies. Personal care often includes the following services:
- Help with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and grooming
- Medication monitoring and management
- In-house pharmacy services
- In-house therapy services
- Coordination with healthcare providers
- Meals and other activities
- Additional support based on individual needs
- Wellness and fitness programs based on their interests and lifestyle
Tips for Downsizing
The key to successful downsizing is meticulous planning. Starting the process several months in advance can allow for making informed decisions and avoiding feeling rushed.
Encourage Open Communication
It’s vital for honest and open conversations with your loved ones about this transition, as it can be an emotional process for everyone involved. Encourage your loved one to express their feelings and concerns to help them feel heard and supported throughout the downsize and move.
Also, keep lines of communication open to address any potential challenges and find solutions together. Communicating openly and regularly means you cater to everyone’s needs and preferences and create a smooth and more positive downsizing experience.
Involve Loved Ones in Decision-Making
Whenever possible, include loved ones in decision-making, whether it’s about their belongings or visiting potential communities. Involving them shows how valuable their perspective is to the downsizing and moving process.
Start Early
Begin by identifying a target move date and working backward, planning tasks week by week. Early action enables family members to take it slow, take breaks when needed, and revisit decisions without time constraints to prevent overwhelm.
Create a Checklist
A checklist is your friend throughout the downsizing process. Help a loved one categorize items into essentials, those with sentimental value, and those that can be donated or sold. A checklist will help streamline what they take with them.
Seek Support
The act of downsizing is not only physical but also an emotional process. For many older adults, it can feel like giving up control or saying goodbye to a life they’ve known for decades. Loved ones and family members should not hesitate to ask friends and extended family for assistance or emotional support.
Getting Your Home Ready to Sell
Preparing a loved one’s home to sell can become easier after decluttering, donating items, and depersonalizing the home. The next step is repairing and staging the home for potential buyersand listing an agent for the sale.
Moving to Personal Care
The actual move itself can be significant. Understanding your options and preparing well can reduce unnecessary stress.
Consider the New Living Space
Choosing the right personal care community is pivotal. The new living space will become a central part of a loved one’s new home, and visiting the new space before moving can help you plan what you need. Packing essentials separately from non-essentials, clearly labeling boxes, and creating a floor plan for the new space will help with an organized transition.
Hire Movers
Deciding to hire professional movers is an important consideration during the downsizing process. Hiring movers can save family members and older adults time and physical strain and decrease stress.
Ultimately, deciding whether you hire movers should be based on your needs and capabilities. Sometimes, hiring movers and doing it yourself works well—professionals for the larger items and family help for the rest.
Settling In & Making It Feel Like Home
Creating a personalized living space in the new community is vital. Making this new place feel like home can include bringing furniture like a favorite chair, cherished keepsakes, and decorative elements to help the new space feel familiar and comforting.
Personalized Approach to Personal Care
Downsizing for older adults is not just about decluttering or moving to a smaller space; it’s an experience. And when approached with careful planning and support, it can lead to a positive journey. Creating a larger community with caregivers, family members, and friends can assist older adults in downsizing and moving to personal care.
Contact The Terrace at Chestnut Hill for a tour of our community or if you have questions or need assistance transitioning to our community.
