If your elderly parents are moving into an assisted living facility, you probably already know it’s not an easy change for them. During this time, your presence and support as a family member can be their greatest source of reassurance and comfort. And as much as you want to ease any uncomfortable feelings they may have, it’s hard to know where to start. Helping them feel comfortable accepting support, while managing the logistics of their move, is just the beginning. There’s a lot you can do to make this big change feel more manageable for them.
If you’re wondering how to move an elderly parent into assisted living, this blog offers a step-by-step guide to support them during the transition and ensure they are in a place that caters to their health, well-being, and happiness.
How to Prepare for Their Move into Assisted Living?
This question often comes up: How to prepare for an elderly parent moving into assisted living? Below are practical steps and thoughtful tips to help you and your parent navigate the transition:
Listen to Their Concerns and Feelings
When supporting your elderly parents, the first step is to truly understand their concerns and emotions. So, take a moment to listen. Give them space to express how they’re feeling, without rushing in with solutions. Then gently guide them through these emotions. You can reassure them by focusing on the positives, like the new friends they can make or the extra care they’ll receive.
And remember, while it’s important to offer comfort, you also want to keep them involved. Ask for their opinions, whether it’s about how they want their new room set up or what belongings they want to bring. Giving them control, even in small ways, helps them feel more empowered during this change.
Pick the Right Assisted Living Home
Next up is researching and choosing the right assisted living facility for your elderly parents. Start by evaluating their specific needs— do they require support with dietary requirements, medical care, such as disability transitions, or chronic illness management (like diabetes or heart conditions)? Begin your search by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or healthcare professionals, reading reviews online to get a sense of each facility, and visiting the top choices in person.
Things to consider while choosing:
- Pay attention to the cleanliness, the staff’s interactions with residents, and the overall atmosphere.
- Make sure to ask about services, safety protocols, and staff-to-resident ratios.
- It’s also important to check the facility’s certifications to ensure they meet industry standards.
- Consider the location’s convenience for family visits as well.
Ultimately, choose a facility where your parents will feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. Take your time, and trust your instincts—this decision will have a big impact on their quality of life.
Plan the Move Ahead of Time
Supporting your parents in planning and organizing their move to assisted living can feel like a lot, but taking it one step at a time can really help. First off, have a conversation with them about what’s coming up. Lay out a timeline so everyone knows what to expect. It can help to create a checklist of things to do—like booking a moving company, changing their address with Centrelink, and letting doctors or utilities know about the move.
The biggest thing is to just stay patient and supportive through it all. This is a huge transition, and your calm presence can really help keep things moving smoothly. The more organised and positive you are, the easier it’ll be for them to settle into their new home.
Assist with Downsizing and Packing
Downsizing is usually the hardest part, so be ready for some tough decisions. During the packing phase, involve them as much as possible. Let them make the final decisions about what goes in each box – what to keep, sell, donate, or dispose of.. Remind them that they don’t have to take everything with them, in fact they most likely can’t— concentrate on the things that matter most. For treasured items they can’t take with them, suggest creating a memory box filled with photos, letters, or small keepsakes to preserve memories.
If you’re looking for assistance with organising your space, we offer professional house clearance and decluttering services. Our dedicated team can help you sort through your belongings, making the process of downsizing or packing up much easier.
Take the Stress Out of Moving Day
On moving day, your parents will likely be feeling anxious and unsure, so staying composed will help reassure them that everything will be okay. Take the time to explain the process of the day in simple terms—what time the movers will arrive, what needs to be packed, and when they can expect the new place to be ready for settling in. Be hands-on with packing up any last-minute items.
During the actual move, stay with your parents as much as possible. This transition—be it for retirement relocation, health needs, safety concerns, or downsizing—can be mentally and emotionally taxing. If possible, visit the new place beforehand to ensure everything is in place.
Help Them Feel Right at Home
Moving parents into assisted living is not easy. The best thing you can do? Be there when they are settling things there. Make their new space feel like their space—bring in family photos, their favourite cozy blanket, that one chair they never wanted to give up. Those little things go a long way.
Stick around for a bit during the first few days. Join them for a meal or help them find their way to an activity. It helps them feel less alone and more comfortable. If you can, introduce them to a few friendly faces—both staff and other residents. Breaking that first bit of awkwardness makes the whole place feel warmer.
Keep Supporting Them After the Move
Lastly, don’t let the conversation or meetings stop after moving parents to assisted living. Keep checking in with them, ask how they’re adjusting, and remind them that you’re there to support them. By being empathetic, staying patient, and offering gentle encouragement, you’ll help ease their transition and show them they’re not alone in this journey.
Make Your Parents’ Move to Assisted Living Easier with Care to Move
Still worried about how to move an elderly parent into assisted living? Care to Move is here to help. Downsizing, moving to aged care, separation relocations, or simply adjusting to a new chapter in life—all are made easy with our compassionate team, who ensures a worry-free experience. We help with everything from decluttering and selling unwanted items to organising storage, cleaning, and settling in at your new home.
Get in Touch for expert moving services tailored to your parents’ needs, with no-obligation discussions and transparent fees.
