A Move To Assisted Living Or Memory Care Necessitates Downsizing

A lot of work goes into shifting to a new place and settling down at the place is a different ball game altogether. It just becomes little more daunting if it’s a transition of a loved one to assisted living or memory care. Memory care and assisted living facilities ensure people dealing with dementia or facing mobility issues receive the greatest amount of care and support in the hands of certified staff. For someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, the unfamiliar environment can cause confusion and aggression and anxiety in your beloved. The best way for them to fit into the new place is when they start feeling at home at the place. This is where downsizing comes into the picture, which is challenging for most, particularly for older adults that are moving from a long-time home into a relatively smaller home, say into anassisted living facility.

It is not easy to leave a house full of a lifetime worth of possessions behind and start life anew in a completely different place. However, you cannot forget that this transition into a professional care setting is for an improved quality of life. Anthem assisted living facilities or memory care communities facilitate an environment that promotes independence and fuller enjoyment of life, which they achieve through downsizing.

Outlining some downsizing tips when preparing for a transition to assisted living or memory care:

Start early– This is in terms of the conversation that you should have with your loved one post a dementia diagnosis. It is best to discuss about the care options at the early stages of dementia while they are still capable of actively taking part in decision-making. The news of a move to a professional care environment shouldn’t come as a bolt from the blue, catching them off guard. This will make the process of moving your beloved into a new place even more challenging. When they are a part of decision making, the process becomes seamless and painless. Also a move in the early stages will help them embrace the place as home sooner than you expect. They’ll become used to the surroundings as the condition advances (dementia is a progressive condition).

Downsizing– Downsizing for a move to assisted living or memory care is the only way to make sure to get your senior loved one settled. Create a list of the “must move” items, which will help create a familiar environment (important for someone with memory loss). Choose items that are absolutely required and not any unnecessary (unsentimental) stuff. Avoid cluttering the space. 

It is wise to take a tour of the facility once before you begin the process of downsizing. This will enable you to assess the new space. Ask your loved one to accompany too so they can form relationships with staff, other residents, be a part of activities, etc. This will impart a sense of security to them and ensure a smooth transition, and will also give you peace of mind, too.

It is not easy for a senior to leave their property and possessions behind, which are of sentimental value. However, the aforementioned tips can help ease the transition process.