Transition doesn’t have to be a word that invokes fear. Taken by its literal definition, it can mean a link from one place to another. When elders come to a point in their lives where it’s time to transition to senior care, it’s important to remember that it’s a change filled with connections from a former position. A position that was not conducive to their best success.
To help that connection become seamless with a pleasant balance, the following checklist can help ensure this movement will be smooth. Most of all, it should be comfortable.
- Small Locking Safe – this is most important because you will need to ensure a senior has a place to store private documents and personal belongings (such as jewelry, watches, etc.) and be confident these things are protected.
- Linens – depending on the senior care center chosen, having a few sets of linens is important for cleanliness, and having different styles and patterns gives seniors a sense of choice in their decor.
- List of Medications – there’s no easy way to say this, but having this collected, accurate, and easily available is vital to the health of the elderly. Make sure there are copies for you, siblings, and support staff.
- Clothes – because senior care centers are essentially medical facilities, having comfortable clothing and chosen garments are essential. Although aging, seniors very often will fall in love and dress up for parties and events, and they’ll need an array of choices that give them dignity but also practical for everyday life. A few pairs of shoes, some pajamas, a warm jacket, sweaters. A good mix of it all!
- Daily Planner – Assisted living is ripe with necessary appointments and schedules, setting a resident up with a planner will help them keep track of their appointments and activities! Life here should also involve recreation, fun, and setup to be enjoyed without stress. This classic yet practical tool also doesn’t involve new technology, just a simple planner or writing utensil, and that’s really it.
- List of Contacts (Including Doctors) – make sure that you list all the important contacts necessary to be reached in case of an emergency, and include family, close friends, medical doctors (and their designation!), and make sure you have a copy, the resident has a copy, and the files held by the facility have a copy, with easy access.
- Time – while this is not a tangible item you can purchase, it is something you can still give, and when scheduling visits and organizing appointments, by including time in your checklist, you ensure that your loved one will have a connection that is still strong, familial, and ultimately, special. You both get time you will value, cherish, and remember.
- Mental Health Support – some emotions accompany a transition to an assisted living facility that are difficult to understand and harder to accept. To some, it can seem like surrendering to the ailments of old age. It’s important to ensure that future residents have those supports in place and know they still have dignity. They are transitioning there not as punishment but as a way to have a sense of pride. Pride to know that they have earned a life where they can be cared for, fully, and supported without worry, and in an environment safe from hazards that, at one time in their life, were just simple steps around a table or chair. Above all, it helps to realize they are surrounded by love and kindness. Setting up mental health support provides more than you will know about what the aging need.
No transition is easy, and while it becomes necessary, Utah Senior Care Advisors specialize in securing the finest quality of life for your loved ones with an approach tailored to their specific needs. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss how we can support your family and your future.