3 Steps to Create a Smoother Transition to Assisted Living

September 27, 2016 by ·

Assisted Living in Fairhope AL

Getting ready for a move into assisted living can be stressful. This is especially true for a person who has lived in the same house for many years.Assisted-Living-in-Fairhope-AL

Some seniors may have been in their home for decades. Making this transition can feel like one of the most stressful moments in their entire life. As a senior, that stress can affect them in many different ways.

It doesn’t have to be an overwhelming transition, as long as you focus, plan ahead, and make sure you listen to what the senior has to say or the questions he or she is asking about this new home they’re are about to move to.

Here are three steps that can possibly create a smoother transition from their old home to assisted living.

Transition Step #1: Pack early.

Once the senior makes this decision to move and chooses the facility they will live in, it’s time to begin packing. It could take weeks to go through all of their possessions, figure out whom they would like to have certain items, and maybe sell or donate other items, including furniture.

They may have accumulated boxes upon boxes of items, pictures, tokens, mementos, and more memories, that have been sitting in a basement, attic, or closet for years. They may very well want to go through each thing and they might even have a difficult time letting go of certain items.

A storage facility may be needed, at least for a while.

Transition Step #2: Visit once or twice so the senior can get used to the layout of their new room.

If the assisted living facility allows a second or third visit, it’s a good idea to encourage the senior to do this. He or she will be able to survey the room and the grounds, making a mental note of certain places of interest, and that can provide a bit of comfort as they get closer and closer to the move date.

Transition Step #3: Involve family, for a while after the move, too.

If family members or close friends have time available to help in the preparation of this move, make sure they are actively involved. After the senior has made the move into assisted living, it’s a good idea to encourage family and friends to visit, at least during that first week or two. This will help to create a smoother transition for the new elderly resident.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Fairhope, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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