Maybe your senior parents are considering moving to an assisted living facility (ALF), or perhaps you are noticing that they are having problems with daily tasks and may need more help then they are admitting to.
Or you just simply notice that their physical health is declining.
Whatever the situation, moving into an ALF is not a decision to make lightly or easily.
Making this new transition to a smaller home or other senior living options is not easy but add the issue of moving into an assisted living facility (ALF) and you have a difficult task ahead of you.
It doesn’t matter if you are the senior adult or if you are one of the family members – it’s going to be hard. But there are ways to make the move easier – for everyone.
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Put Your Parent In Assisted Living?
It’s a difficult decision to make, but sometimes it’s the best thing for your parent.
Here are some signs that it might be time to consider looking at some senior living communities in your area:
1. Your parent is having difficulty taking care of him or herself. If your parent is struggling to perform basic self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, it might be time to consider assisted living.
2. Your parent is finding it more and more difficult to perform daily living tasks like vacuuming, paying the bills, caring for their pet, etc. These are all signs that they are no longer able to safely and properly care for themselves or their environment.
3. Your parent is isolated and lonely. If your parent is no longer able to get out and socialize like he or she used to, assisted living can provide an opportunity for social interaction and activities.
4. Your parent is experiencing memory loss. If your parent is starting to forget things or is having difficulty keeping track of medications, bills, and appointments, assisted living can help provide the structure and support he or she needs.
5. You’re struggling to provide care. If you’re finding it difficult to juggle your own life while also taking care of your parent, it might be time to consider assisted living. Putting your parent in a facility can give you some much-needed respite and peace of mind.
6. The cost of home care is becoming unmanageable. If you’re spending more and more money on home care services, it might make financial sense to move your parent into an assisted living facility.
Making the decision to put your parent in assisted living is never easy. But if you’re seeing any of the above signs, it might be time to start considering it.
Talk to your family and your parent’s doctor to get their input and advice.
Ultimately, the decision is yours – but know that you’re not alone in facing this difficult choice.
18 Tips On How To Get Your Parents To Move Into Assisted Living
It can be difficult to convince your parents to move into an assisted living facility, especially if they are used to living independently.
I have two very healthy elderly neighbors who are both looking to move into an ALF (Assisted Living Facility) and they are doing an amazing job of it.
They are visiting each of the ALF communities with their adult children, going to events and even spending a night at some of them.
This is the best way to begin the process of helping your parent move. Slowly and calculated with as much information as possible before making the big decision.
After all, leaving your own home, most likely the family home, for something new can be very emotional.
Also, they are doing this while they are quite healthy so the decision will not be rushed or forced.
Of course – I have seen several of the older adults in my life fight this move until the very end until they finally had no choice.
That is the very last thing you want to do – if you can help it.
How Do You Prepare A Loved One For Assisted Living?
So, here are more details on the top 18 tips I mentioned above on how to move your parents into an ALF community.
But first things first – be patient with your senior loved ones.
They’ve likely lived in the same home for many years, but they’re getting older and their needs are changing…Before jumping right in, do some soul searching and think carefully about how you plan to maintain compassion, boundaries and self-awareness throughout this transition process.
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1. Talk About Assisted Living Communities With Your Parents
Do this as much as possible and as early as possible. It doesn’t have to necessarily be a difficult conversation.
My older sister has 2 daughters.
Whenever my sister has a “senior moment” or some other event that they deem to be part of aging, they tell her that it just may be time to move to “Shady Pines” – their fictional name for an ALF.
It’s their funny way of bringing up the idea over and over again.
You know your parents – bring up the concept as much as possible so that it’s not a shock if and when the time comes that an ALF would be the best time for them to move.
2. Involve Your Loved One In The Decision
Make sure your loved one feels included in the decision-making process. Discuss their needs, preferences, and concerns.
Visit potential facilities together so they can get a feel for the environment and meet the staff.
4. Understand The Costs
Assisted living can be expensive. Make sure you understand all the costs involved and explore all possible funding options, including long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, and Medicaid.
5. Visit Several ALF Facilities (and possibly other senior living options as well)
Do what my elderly neighbors are doing. Take some time to go visit some ALF’s, maybe even volunteer there.
Many of them host events that your elderly parents could attend and some will allow you to spend a night or two so that you can get a “feel” for what the community is like.
Visit more than just once or twice – do it as often as is feasible. If they have a close friend who lives in one, that could be a bonus!
6. Schedule Regular Visits And Outings.
When Robin’s father moved into an ALF (after her mother passed away) she made it a point to visit him every Friday.
That was their day to spend together – going to lunch, attending a matinee movie or show, going to the park – whatever.
If she could sneak in more visits after her work and during the weekends every now and then, she did – but her father knew that he would see her every single week.
7. Don’t Shove The Idea Down Your Parents’ Throats
Give them time to think it over – mull over the pros and cons. Not many people like being told what to do and this is usually very true with older adults.
You are asking them to leave their current home, to make new friends in a new environment and that is not an easy task for anyone.
8. Emphasize The Positives
The right senior living community that offers lots of amenities and events can help to make this life transition easier.
Focus on the fact that the family will have peace of mind knowing their loved one is safe.
Focus on the fact that they can still enjoy independent living.
Focus on how to facility can meet the parents’ needs. If they provide medical care or transportation and from, make sure to mention that too.
9. Listen to Your Parents’ Concerns
Don’t brush away their fears about moving to a new residence as if they don’t matter. This is a difficult decision.
Acknowledge them and listen to what they have to say.
Use as much reasoning and logic as you can with them but also know that this is an emotional event. Logic does not always work when there’s emotion involved.
10. Gather Your Tribe
If you happen to know someone (even if you don’t know them well) who has moved into an ALF – scheduling a meal with them and your parents may be very helpful.
So, ask your friends, colleagues and anyone you know if they know someone who is living in an ALF who would be willing to give you (and your parents) the scoop on how it is for them. (You may want to talk to them first before introducing them to your parents).
11. Begin The Decluttering Process As Soon As Possible
Even if your parents don’t move to an ALF or downsize to a smaller home – it’s usually always a good idea to begin the process of decluttering.
This makes the home safer to live in, easier to manage for the homeowner(s) and much easier to deal with when the time comes that they are forced to move or they pass away.
I personally have gone through this process 3 times in my life and I can honestly tell you that cleaning out a home after someone has passed away can be horrific.
You are dealing with the emotional loss and the overwhelming job of getting rid of their stuff. It’s heartbreaking and unnecessary.
12. Bring As Much Of Your Parents’ Personal Belongings
Putting your parents’ personal items in their new apartment in the ALF can help to make the new living quarters more comfortable.
It’s not just the essential items, it’s the items that have some meaning to that person.
Sentimental items like your father’s favorite chair, your mother’s favorite lamp, etc. Anything that you can do to make it feel as much as “home” as possible.
Photos and artwork on the walls are a great way to make a new space feel more like home.
13. Talk To The Staff At The ALF About Schedules
One of the most difficult aspects of moving into an ALF is having to adhere to a schedule.
If your parents are used to sitting outside on their porch until 10:00 pm with a glass of wine then being told that they have to be in their apartments by 8:00 pm might not go over too well.
Find out how much flexibility the ALF has with their schedules.
Oftentimes – the issue is just that the staff are not used to any changes and try to get all the residents to adhere to the same schedule.
14. Stay In Touch
Regular visits, phone calls, and messages can help your loved one feel connected and supported.
Show interest in their new life and encourage them to share their experiences.
15. Keep Family Traditions Alive
If your family has certain traditions, like Sunday dinners or holiday celebrations, try to keep these alive even after your loved one moves to assisted living.
16. Prepare For Emotional Reactions
It’s normal for your loved one to experience a range of emotions during this transition.
Be there to provide emotional support and reassure them that their feelings are valid.
17. Encourage Participation In Activities
Most assisted living facilities offer a range of activities.
Encourage your loved one to participate. This can help them make new friends and feel more engaged in their new community.
18. You May Second Guess Yourself And You May Feel Guilty
If you had to fight to get your parents into an ALF you may find yourself feeling guilty and wondering if you did the right thing – especially if they complain about it all the time. This is inevitable. It’s normal.
Do not beat yourself up. Remind yourself (keep a physical list if you have to) of all the reasons why an ALF was the smart and safe thing to do.
These 18 tips should give you the tools you need to prepare you and your parents for assisted living.
Here’s our helpful moving checklist and timeline.
What Should I Pack For Assisted Living?
Okay, the next steps have to do with the actual move.
Most (if not all) ALF organizations will provide you with a list of things that you should / can bring to your new home and a new community.
This can include everything from important papers and legal documents to the sizes of furniture that would fit in the room.
Basically, your aging parent is moving to a new home and probably downsizing.
So, anything that you would normally bring to a new home is what you would be taking to that new apartment in the ALF.
But, just to help you along, here’s a general checklist for you.
- Furniture – you want to make your new apartment in the ALF as comfortable as possible so I would encourage you to bring your parent’s bed, favorite chair and/or loveseat, their TV, table, etc. Of course, the furniture has to fit within the floor plan of the space that they are moving into.
- Personal and Important Items – besides furniture, you want to personalize the apartment as much as possible. And that means favorite photos, paintings, books and knick knacks. Don’t forget holiday items like Christmas ornaments, etc.
- Your Pet – yes, there are many ALF’s that allow you to bring your pet. If your parent has a dog, cat, bird, etc. I would strongly suggest that you look for ALF’s that allow pets. The emotional upset of moving from their home AND losing a loving companion can be devastating for many seniors. Read more about how to help your elderly parents keep their pets.
You may also want to ask the ALF if they can recommend a moving company.
How Do You Move A Parent With Dementia To Assisted Living?
Generally, if your senior parent suffers from any form of dementia – it may be difficult for them to move to (or continue living in) just any ALF setting.
It does depend greatly on what the ALF provides as far as care and how impeded your parent is by their dementia.
Here are my tips on how to help you move your parent (who suffers from dementia) to an ALF.
- I would recommend to search for one that specializes in some type of memory care community – especially one that has a locked unit. As an Occupational Therapist, I worked in several ALF facilities that did not have locked units and it was a daily occurrence to run out the doors to retrieve a resident with dementia who had wandered away. It’s simply safer because sadly, dementia does not generally get better.
- If your parent is able to hire and pay for a private aide to help them while they live in an ALF – that may be a solution is well.
- Many patients with dementia have good and bad times during the day and night. Some have what is called Sundowners Syndrome where their confusion and agitation gets worse near the end of the day. If this is your case try to schedule the actual move to the ALF during their “good times” to help avoid more problems than necessary.
- Make sure your elderly parent has their comfort items with them at all times during the move. It could be a blanket, a doll or whatever item they have gravitated towards.
- Make sure the staff at the ALF is aware of your parents’ specific moods, ups and downs, etc. If they can be prepared for what is coming in, they will be better able to handle problems as they arise. Especially the first few days.
Here are more tips on how to help move someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
What If Your Elderly Parent Refuses Assisted Living?
It takes time for any of us to accept big changes in our lives and it’s even harder when you get older, so first and foremost be patient.
As I said earlier in this article – it’s an important thing to talk to your parents about moving for months or years beforehand.
On the surface, when an elderly parent declines to move, it can seem like they are just being old and stubborn.
Some recent studies, however, show that a senior’s unwillingness to relocate often has less to do with being crotchety. It is more about how they think they are being viewed by others.
So, here are some tips that may help you and your aging parent(s).
- Consider Alternative Housing Options – Assisted living facilities may not be the only option for your aging parents. Along with your parents – you may want to look into Granny Pods, Active Adult Communities, Senior Villages, Senior Co-Housing and Residential Care Homes. You can read more about each one of these options in our article on Housing Options For Seniors 55 And Older.
- Stay Calm And Don’t Force Things – Stubborn though they may be, your elderly parents are adults. This means they have the right to make their own decisions about relocating even if you don’t agree with them.
- Treat Them Like The Adults They Are – Often, it isn’t what you say, but how you say it. When you are talking to your elderly parents about moving, don’t be condescending. Be empathetic to their situation (how would YOU feel if you felt you were being forced to move?) and listen to their concerns. Give them time to mull everything over.
- Don’t Make Them Feel Like They Have To Move Because They Are Old – De-emphasize the reasons for moving due to their age and safety issues. Instead, emphasize the sense of community and the activities that will be there for them.
- Allow Your Parent To Have a Sense Of Control – Everyone likes to be in control of their affairs but unfortunately, as we all grow older we oftentimes begin losing control of our physical and cognitive health. Give your parents the opportunity to voice their concerns and make decisions. Doesn’t mean you will like what they decide – but you can try to work on a compromise.
- Give Your Senior Parents Time To Process The Need To Move – Again, by mentioning the concept of moving to an ALF for months or years in advance – it plants the seed and idea and gives your parent(s) time to think about it. Of course, as I’ve said before it really helps if they have a friend or relative who has already made the move.
- Research Some Places That They Might Like – And of course, take them to these places not just for a visit but to have a meal there, to attend an event or two or maybe even to volunteer. It’s much more comfortable going somewhere they’re already familiar with.
- Emphasize The Consequences If They Don’t Move – Without being argumentative or emotional – simply begin laying out the consequences of not moving to an ALF. This works best after an event. For example, if your parent lives alone and falls, if they have been forgetting to take their medication, if they are lonely the majority of the time, etc.
- Explain How Much Their Move Will Help You (Their Loving Child) – It never hurts to talk about how their living situation is affecting you. My sister lived about 3 blocks away from our mother and she was called upon almost daily by my mother to come over for some help. It wasn’t very much (my mother was extremely independent until about 2 days before she died) but it was enough that life became difficult for my sister.
- Accept That You Might Not Convince Them To Move – No matter what you do, you may not be able to convince your parents to make the move. And that is just how it will have to be. But, the compromise should then be that other arrangements will have to be made. Hiring someone to come in to clean, setting up cameras throughout the home to monitor your parents, purchasing medical alert devices, modifying the home they live in to make it as safe as possible, etc.
Assisted living facilities can be wonderful places to live. Choosing the right one for your needs is the key to a happy and healthy stay.
The Pros And Cons Of Assisted Living Facilities
Pros
- Still live independently – it’s nice to have your very own apartment even though you may need a little help every day. Assisted living gives you that.
- In house meals – most (if not all) assisted living facilities provide 2 meals a day in the dining room and some will even bring the meal to your room. Depending on the accommodations, it can be a very nice experience to go to the dining room and sit with others to enjoy a meal prepared for you.
- In house activities – again, most (if not all) assisted living have a recreational therapist who provides a series of activities in house and some even provide outside events such as concerts and theater.
- You can still drive – some assisted living allow you to keep your car in the parking lot. So if you are still capable of being safe while driving and want to keep your car, then you can certainly do that.
Cons
- Cost prohibitive – the very first con that I must mention is the cost. This does vary depending on where you live but generally, the cost averages about $4000.00 per month. You can get an idea of the cost in your area using the calculator at Genworth.com
- Living under policies and rules – very much like an HOA in the 55+ communities, there will be rules and policies that you will have to live under and for some seniors, that can be difficult.
- Will be living within close proximity of others – I have known a few elderly (my mother for one!) who was very much a “loner” and really did not want to engage with other humans, at all. For her, living in an assisted living (which we wanted her to do) was akin to going to prison (yes, she said that). So, if you or your senior loved one is the type of person that does not want to live amongst other humans, this type of living arrangement may become very difficult for them.
- Pets may be a problem – not all assisted living facilities allow pets so if you own a pet, choosing the right facility that will allow you to keep it or them is very important. Here is a short list of some facilities that do accept pets.
I hope that this information helps you with your aging parent. I know it’s not an easy time for either of you but please know that it’s only temporary – things will get easier and better.
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