Ways To Help Your Parents Relocate To A Senior Living Facility

If your parents have made the all-important decision to move to a senior living facility, you should obviously support them throughout this critical transition period.

It’s probably a decision they have come to after a lot of conversations with other loved ones, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Now, arises the sensitive issue of how you can be there for your dear ones as they make the move to such a senior living facility.

It’s not going to be easy! The transition period is usually quite challenging.

Jagriti Dham, one of the leading senior citizen care services in Kolkata, takes a look at the ways in which you can help your parents with the transition and how you can be there for them in small and big ways.

7 Ways to Help Parents Relocate to Senior Living Facilities

The relocation can be quite emotional, and as a grown-up, you need to be aware of the various emotional dynamics that are being played out. Remember, even though it’s a decision your parents took, they probably see it as a practical choice and not as the ideal decision.

On that note, let’s look at some ways in which you can help your aging parents make the move.

• It Will Take Time To Adjust – So Be Patient!

It will take your parents time to adjust to their new routine and space. Typically, it takes 3 to 6 months, give or take, to get familiar with the surroundings, get into a routine, and close to a year, for your parents to consider the place their home. So, be patient and listen to all their complaints with care.

• Plan Ahead of Time

Help your parents plan for the move. Every move, even a permanent one like this, requires someone to plan for it. Your parents will need to decide what to do with their house, their things, their property, etc. They will need to downsize considerably and you will need to help them with that, including cancelling all the utilities like electricity, gas, subscriptions, etc.
Also, the paperwork for the new place needs to be taken care of, so be ready to be of service to your parents.

• Be There for Your Parents Emotionally

During this time your parents probably need someone to talk to, and the closest person they probably have is you. So, be connected to your parents. Be there for them. Pick up the phone when they want to have a chat or if they need something. Be kind to them. They are just looking for a shoulder to cry on and you can help them by being there.

• Visit Them Often

You need to visit your parents at least once in 2 weeks. You can visit more frequently but don’t neglect them altogether. During this phase of their life, they are probably emotionally raw, they need someone to be there for them and just listen. That’s your role.

• Be in Constant Touch With the Management

Most of the senior citizen care services in Kolkata have exceptional management facilities. You need to be in constant touch with the management of these centres and ensure that your parents are well taken care of. Always have the phone numbers of on-premises staff. This can be quite a lifesaver.

• Take Your Parents Out for a Treat

To ease the transition into life at a senior facility, take your parents out for a treat about town occasionally. If they are able, plan a date and take them to the city so that they can feel that they aren’t cut off from society. Such treats about town can help cheer them up and help them not to feel neglected.

• Expect Setbacks

Prepare yourself to face setbacks. Doubts might arise and your parents might feel alone, it’s your responsibility to help them see the brighter side of things. Acknowledge the difficulty of the transition, and the pain that it brings, but ensure that you show them that life can be more beautiful even in a senior living facility.

Wrapping Up

Practicing patience and kindness can see your parents through this period of their lives. Once they’ve settled in nicely, they will really feel like the place is like home, it’s just the interim when they need you to be there for them in practical and emotional ways.

As one of the leading senior citizen care services in Kolkata, we understand the move for your parents can be quite overwhelming. At Jagriti Dham we will ensure that your parents experience a smooth transition in every way possible.

Our team of professionals will be there to assist your parents and help them as they make the move toward a more fulfilling second innings.