After the apartment has been selected and a move date decided, there are many things you can do to help your loved one have a great experience when moving to Assisted Living.
Here are a few items to help you get started:
Healthcare Items
- Make sure your loved one meets with their primary care physician to complete necessary paperwork.
- Have a conversation as to whether your loved one will continue seeing their primary care physician or if you plan to use the community’s physician.
- Help your loved one create a list of their current medications. Discuss with your senior living community options for how medications can be administered in the future.
- Write down the schedule of when medication is administered. Give this to staff members to create consistency.
- Create additional copies of your loved one’s Durable Power of Attorney and Healthcare and insurance cards for the community to have on file.
Moving To-Dos
- Find a moving company.
- Start downsizing.
- Cancel utilities and other current services.
- Forward mail through the post office.
- Contact your loved one’s newspaper to update delivery address.
- Notify friends and family of your loved one’s new address and other contact information.
- Ask your senior living community if there are any items you should NOT bring.
If moving to a Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) Community, the LSS Move-In Resources Team is available to help with moving logistics, planning, and references!
Getting Comfortable
- Ask your loved one’s senior living community for a copy of their lifestyle enrichment and dining calendars.
- Encourage your loved one to think about new hobbies or activities they might want to participate in once they move in.
- Consider creating a standing “date” with your loved one to check in at regular times. Community staff members may be able to assist.
- Support your loved one throughout the transition.