HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MOVE TO AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
“Be prepared.”
It is the motto of the largest scouting organization in the United States, but it has equal relevance for older adults who plan to transition into an assisted living facility in Boise, Idaho. According to the United States Census Bureau, Americans move an average of 11.7 times during their lives. However, no move is more difficult than moving from an independent lifestyle to one that requires some level of assistance.
Start with Logistics
Moving from a home into an apartment at one of the retirement communities in Boise means your loved one must downsize to accommodate the new living arrangement. Although your loved one might insist on keeping several items based on sentimentality alone, you are going to have to convince your loved one to leave some items behind. Start by donating heavy, oversized furniture to an organization such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Host a garage sale to downsize clothing, jewelry, and throw rugs. Your loved one also can lighten the load inside the moving truck by selling knickknacks and collectibles.
Hire Movers
Although it is tempting to help a loved one move to an assisted living facility in Boise in a show of strong support, you should leave moving day to the professionals at a Boise moving company. These licensed professionals know how to move the heaviest objects, as well as handle fragile items such as vases and glass tables. Make sure to perform extensive research to find the best fit for your loved one’s moving day. This involves reading online reviews, as well as receiving cost estimates and confirming each of the moving companies on your shortlist is available on the day of the move.
Pack the Right Way
Although some moving companies offer a packing service, you should do the packing on your own. Some items such as legal and financial documents must be easy to access when your loved one moves into an assisted living facility in Boise. You also should organize photographs into one box, which allows your loved one to regain some familiarity in the new home. Pack the right clothes for the appropriate season to ensure your loved one wears the proper apparel. Books, movies, puzzles, and anything else labeled as entertainment should go into the same boxes. All items used in the bathroom should be organized together, as well as the cleaning supplies that end up in a closet.
Become Familiar With the New Home
You and your loved one should know everything about the new apartment. Ask for a copy of the apartment’s layout to help plan setting it up for your loved one. Understand which amenities the assisted living facility in Boise provides and which items your loved one must provide. Your loved one should know the community rules, and you should find out which items your loved one cannot bring into the new home. Ensure the furniture you have designated as a must-have fits in the new apartment’s layout. If your loved one takes care of a pet, understand every rule that applies to pet ownership at your loved one’s new home.
One of the most important tips for learning how to prepare for a move to an assisted living facility involves completing a comprehensive tour. At MorningStar of Boise, we encourage every prospective new resident to spend time at our senior living center to become acclimated with the different amenities, as well as meet a few of the caregivers and residents. Schedule a tour today to get to know our assisted living facility in Boise.
