Ways to Make the Transition to Assisted Living Easier for New Residents

There are so many exciting changes in life: graduating, starting a new career, starting a family, having children and then grandchildren, and growing older. Aging is a totally different type of change that becomes especially difficult and frustrating when a person needs to move to an assisted living community or any other type of long term care setting.

While the main challenges will likely be handled by a spouse and their family before the move, there are several things you and your staff can do to help new residents make an easier transition into your community and feel at home.

1. Separate Lease Signing from the Move-in: Downsizing and moving from your home is difficult as it is, so don't make things even more complicated by leaving the paperwork until the move-in day. Prepare the lease in advance and set a specific time for signing. This way the new resident and the family will have enough time to read the agreement and review their legal documents without any pressure.

2. Personalize the Living Space: As we age, it becomes more difficult to adapt to a new environment. Work with the family before their loved one moves to your community to make their loved ones new home look a lot like the old home. Yes, the space will most likely be smaller but you can still put quite a few personal items in all the right places.

3. Provide Some Essential Supplies: No matter how old you are, moving is a hectic business. It's ever so easy to forget to buy essential things like toilet tissue, paper towels, hand soap, etc. You could provide all these small but essential items to reduce stress and help the new residents feel at home. This helps to set the tone and always guarantees a great first impression.

4. Make the Apartment Feel Comfortable: Your goal is to make your new residents feel comfortable from day one. To do that, you have to ensure that their new living space feels good from the start. Inspect it after the cleaners finish their job. Check that the shower and all appliances work well, make sure the water heater is not in vacation mode any longer, and set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. Nothing is worse than settling in a new place and finding it blazing hot or freezing cold. Consider some small touches such as plugging in a nice smelling room freshener, placing fresh flowers on the counter top, opening the blinds and curtains up making sure their new home looks open, bright, warm an inviting. Place a note on the refrigerator letting them know what day housekeeping and laundry will be done and make sure to leave your communities activity calendar out for them to utilize and meet new people right away!

5. Leave a Move-in Gift in the Apartment: Everybody loves receiving a small gift. A fresh batch of your new residents favorite cookies, a book by his or her favorite author, a small plant, or a nice-looking reusable shopping bag - these are only some ideas for a welcoming gift.

6. Stop by on Move in Day: Visit the new resident on the move-in day to personally check how things are going. This is an excellent time to show how appliances work and answer any questions they may have formed during the move. You can also complete the inventory checklist while you're at it. Don't forget to follow up the next day to see how they are settling in and to make sure all concerns are handled well.

7. Have a Special Adjustment Process for New Residents: One of the biggest challenges a new assisted living resident faces is socialization. During the first few days, the new resident may feel uncomfortable and even lonely, which is definitely not what you want. Your staff can help new members to connect with others, make them feel included, and help them pick out and get to activities that will let them connect with other residents. Ask a current resident that you know well to invite your new resident to sit with them at meals for the first week and put them in charge of making introductions to other residents. Many long time residents remember how difficult their initial move was and want to help!

8. Ask all team leaders to Engage New Residents: The person who organizes and manages activities at an assisted living facility is one of the key members of the staff. At the best facilities, residents have the opportunity to lead an active life, take part in fun and stimulating activities, and take up a hobby. Make sure your activities manager meets with the new resident and his/her family before the move and learns about what kind of activities he or she enjoys. This information will help you to keep the new resident busy and take his or her mind off negative thoughts. Your Maintenance director should stop in an make introductions to your new resident and their family. They can use that opportunity to assure that the windows, blinds, thermostat and other fixtures are working properly. Invite your chef to drop in an make introductions as well. These personal first visits are some important to help your new family feel welcome and secure.

Remember that moving to an assisted living facility is stressful and can be a lot of anxiety around it. But, as you can see from what you've just read, it's not at all hard to help minimize the stress and make these difficult transitions much smoother.