Unpack and organize their room before they arrive. Make your loved one’s new space feels like home by adding familiar items and photos of family and friends. Arrange their belongings in a way that reminds them of their previous home, but avoid cluttering the room. Instead, try to create a calming, comfortable space for your loved one. Once you’ve chosen a community, staff may be able to refer you to move managers or help remove the moving boxes from the room after you’ve got everything unpacked, says Gewirtz. Before moving day, remember to also:· Set up mail forwarding with the U.S. Postal Service.· Cancel current utility services.· Inform friends and family about your loved one’s move.· Add community contact information to your devices. Read more: Checklist for Moving Elderly Parents: 6 Practical Things to Consider When Moving an Aging Loved One: How do I ease my loved one's transition to assisted living? No matter how prepared you and your loved are for the move to assisted living, it’ll take time to adjust to this new living arrangement. It’s important to be realistic about your expectations and understand that your parent’s fears and apprehensions — and your own — are normal. Your family member will need to adjust to a new home and routine. They may also feel emotional about leaving their old residence and belongings. It may take a few months before your loved one fully feels at home. So how do you help ease your parent’s transition to assisted living? Be optimistic. Focus on positive aspects of the move, such as the programs and activities, safety, and social interactions, but don’t dismiss your loved one’s concerns. Talk to the community staff if there’s something they can do to improve your loved one’s stay. Encourage participation. Your parent will feel more at home if they’re involved in the community. Review the community’s calendar of activities with them to see what appeals to their
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