5 Things to Do Before Your Parents Go Into an Assisted Living Environment

1. Find Out Where They Want To Live

Respecting your parents’ wishes is one way to make the move from their current home to an assisted living facility much smoother. When broaching the topic with your parents, speak with them about what sorts of things they are looking for from a living facility. This may even include a change of scenery. Knowing what area of the country your parents are most interested in living in can make a big difference in how positively or negatively the change is viewed, since a healthcare center in Laurel, MD may actually be a better fit than one that is local or across the country.

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2. Talk About What’s Hard For You And Them

Of course, any major transition is difficult for all involved, and this includes yourself. In these kinds of situations, it’s best for you to speak with everyone about what sorts of feelings the move is bringing up. Open communication can improve any situation by allowing each member of your family to feel heard. While this kind of exercise can sometimes dredge up negativity, getting these sorts of topics out in the open is ultimately in everyone’s best interest.

Research Each Potential Facility

Once you’ve determined where your parents want to live, it’s important to research each facility you’re considering. This includes visiting and taking a tour of their amenities as well as getting to know the staff members and nurses who’ll be assisting your parents in their new home. If something gives you pause during this portion of your decision-making process, it’s important to stop and figure out what’s giving you a warning sign, and if it even is cause for concern. For example, if you feel rubbed the wrong way by a nurse or receptionist, looking them up on a website like Go Look Up could give you peace of mind about them. This is because Go Look Up is an authority in public records and provides a wide range of information about someone based on a simple search of their name, including any arrest records, mugshots, or other information about someone’s past that may give you pause.

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Sort Through Their Belongings

It’s also a good idea to decide what items your parents want to keep and which should be given away when they move. This process frequently has a fair amount of emotional baggage associated with it, so it’s wise to help your parents out when it comes to categorizing what should be kept, trashed, sold, or donated to charity. Focusing on one room a week over the course of several weeks can make this process feel less jarring, as items will gradually leave instead of all at once.

Fill Their New Home With Love

When it comes to decorating their new home, it’s vital that their most meaningful personal belongings are put up from day one. This might include any souvenirs or collections that have particular resonance for them, or it may be a customized canvas print of a family photo. Aside from filling their new home with material reminders of their worth and value, it’s also important that you visit them routinely. A regularly scheduled check-in can help alleviate their concerns that you’ll forget about them once they’ve moved.