Key Takeaways
- Explore assisted living communities early to find the right fit.
- Downsize personal belongings together and make it a shared journey of memories.
- Organize essential documents in advance (medical, legal, financial).
- Prioritize your loved one’s feelings and involve them in decisions.
- Create a clear plan for moving day.
- Stay connected after the move to help them settle into their new home.
- Most importantly, prioritize your loved one’s feelings and involve them in decisions.
Preparing for the Transition to Assisted Living
Moving a loved one to assisted living is a significant and emotional decision. You want to make sure your parent or family member finds a place where they not only receive support but also continue to thrive, celebrate life, and feel genuinely at home.
At Parsons House La Porte, we’ve spent over 40 years helping families navigate this transition with care and expertise. We’ve seen firsthand how a thoughtful, organized approach can transform a stressful process into a positive new chapter.
Start Early by Exploring Options
The best time to start looking at assisted living communities is before you urgently need one. Beginning the search early removes pressure and gives your family time to find a place that truly feels right. In a community like La Porte, with its deep roots and strong local pride, finding a place that honors that heritage is important.
Visit Multiple Communities
Schedule tours at different times of the day. Observe the interactions between staff and residents. Do residents seem happy and engaged? Is the atmosphere welcoming and energetic?
Ask About the Culture
Look for a community whose values align with your own. At Parsons House La Porte, our mission is simple: we serve our elders, offer unconditional love, nurture personal growth, celebrate life, and make a difference. This is the foundation of everything we do.
Check Licenses and Services
Understand the level of care provided. Parsons House La Porte holds a Type A license, meaning we are perfect for residents who are mobile but need a helping hand with daily activities, like medication management, bathing, and dressing, allowing them to maintain their cherished independence.
Downsize and Organize Belongings
Moving from a family home to a new apartment is a significant change. Downsizing can be an emotional process, but it can also be an opportunity to reminisce and honor a lifetime of memories.
Create a Floor Plan
Get the dimensions of the new apartment. Use this to map out where essential furniture will go. This helps visualize the new space and makes it easier to decide what to bring.
Sort with the “Three-Box Method”
Use boxes or sections for “Keep,” “Donate/Give to Family,” and “Discard.” Tackle one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Involve your loved one in these decisions whenever possible.
Focus on What Makes It “Home”
Prioritize bringing items that hold sentimental value, such as family photos, a favorite armchair, cherished art, or beloved books. It’s encouraged for residents to personalize their space. We’re even pet-friendly, so their four-legged companion can make the move, too!
Gather Medical and Legal Documents
Having all necessary paperwork in one place is crucial for a smooth transition. Create a binder or digital file that is easily accessible to key family members.
- Medical information: Include a complete list of medications, contact information for all doctors and specialists, insurance cards, and a summary of medical history.
- Legal documents: Gather copies of Power of Attorney, living will or advance directives, and birth certificate.
- Financial paperwork: Organize information related to bank accounts, pensions, Social Security, and any other sources of income needed for managing finances.
Support Their Emotional Well-Being
This transition is about more than just moving boxes; it’s a profound emotional shift. Acknowledging and validating your loved one’s feelings is perhaps the most important part of this process.
Listen More than You Talk
Your parent may feel a sense of loss, anxiety, or even excitement. Create a safe space for them to share all of it without judgment. Let them know their feelings are valid.
Empower Them with Choices
Involve them in as many decisions as possible. Let them choose the apartment layout, pick out new linens, or decide what activities they want to try first. This helps restore a sense of control.
Highlight the Positives
Talk about the new opportunities awaiting them—no more worrying about home maintenance, the chance to enjoy delicious restaurant-style meals, and a calendar full of activities, from fitness classes to gardening.
Create a Moving Day Strategy
A well-planned moving day can set a positive tone for this new beginning.
- Pack an “essentials” box: This box should contain everything your loved one will need for the first 24-48 hours, such as medications, toiletries, a change of clothes, bedding, towels, and important documents.
- Assign roles: Have one family member manage the movers while another helps your loved one settle into their new apartment.
- Make the first night special: Once the essentials are unpacked, enjoy a meal together in the community’s dining room or order in-room dining. Help them hang a few pictures to make the space feel like theirs immediately.
Stay Connected After the Move
Your presence and support are most critical during the first few weeks.
Establish a Routine for Visits and Calls
Consistent contact provides reassurance. Plan visits, but also encourage your loved one to participate in community activities.
Get to Know the Staff
Introduce yourself to the care team, activity directors, and dining staff. At Parsons House La Porte, our staff have a heart for seniors. We are an extension of your family and are here to support you, too.
Encourage Engagement
Gently nudge them to try a new class, join a card game, or relax on one of our three porches with a new friend. Building new social connections is the key to thriving.
Choose a Community That Feels Like Home
Ultimately, the goal is to find a place that feels less like a facility and more like a vibrant neighborhood. For 40 years, as La Porte has grown up around us, Parsons House La Porte has remained a cornerstone of the community—a family-owned home where residents are cherished. We believe in providing the support seniors need while honoring the independence they deserve.
If you’re starting this journey, we invite you to come and feel the difference for yourself. Let our family help yours navigate this next chapter with love, respect, and a true celebration of life.
