Anyone who has moved knows how challenging it can be. There are so many moving pieces, it may feel like a game of chess! Sometimes, these challenges cause seniors to delay a necessary move into Assisted Living.
To reduce some of your worries and keep you prepared, we’ve established a timeline to help you prepare for the move. You or your loved one will soon be settled into a new apartment, enjoying a chore-free lifestyle, nutritious meals, 24-hour care, assistance with daily tasks, participation in events, and meeting new people.
A move to a prepared Assisted Living community can happen quickly when necessary.
It is recommended to start looking for senior living before there is a need to help mitigate risks and aid in providing comfort in the decision-making process.
The timeline below is designed for those who are being proactive in their search for assisted living. If you or a loved one is already needing care and safety, connect with a senior living professional today to help guide the process at a pace that fits your situation.
Two months before your move
- Request quotes from moving companies. Ask for guidance from the personnel of your chosen assisted living community if you need help finding movers who meet your needs.
- Obtain a floor plan of the senior’s new apartment. You may use it to determine what furniture will fit and where it will go. Don’t forget to check the location of the cable and electronic outlets!
- Find a storage facility. You may need to temporarily rent space until you can locate new homes for any goods, they won’t have room for after their move.
- Create an inventory worksheet to track where all the furniture and belongings end up.
- If a member of your family is relocating, begin looking for new medical providers and a nearby pharmacy.
- Begin accumulating packing goods such as bubble wrap, tape, and boxes.
Six weeks before your move
- Start downsizing. Organize your space and clear out unnecessary items. Give family members a deadline for picking up any personal belongings they may have left at your loved one’s home. Arrange for a moving sale or donation pick-up if required. They should change their mailing addresses and notify their utility companies, physicians, and other service providers about the move. Consider hiring a downsizing company that specializes in helping with these tasks.
- When packing, senior move managers typically advise starting with the least-used portions of the property. Begin with such rooms.
- Research organizations that collect furniture and other household items for donation.
One month before your move
- Plan to cancel all utilities, including phone, cable, and energy.
- Check your assisted living community’s policy regarding valuables. Choose which valuables you will bring with you.
- Begin the process of changing your address with your family, friends, creditors, and health insurance companies.
- Get checks printed with you or your loved one’s new address.
One week before your move
- Finish packing and, if possible, arrange for your loved one to stay with a friend or family member the night before the move.
- Pack a gift with items that your senior will need as soon as they arrive at the assisted care community, such as toilet paper, paper towels, a coffee machine, snacks, and personal care needs like medications.
- Request that a friend or family member join your loved one for lunch on the day of the relocation. It could be easier for them to avoid watching the movers pack up the truck and leave.
If you’re looking for an Assisted Living Community for yourself or a senior member of your family, consider moving to a Radiant Senior Living community. Enjoy a warm and friendly atmosphere with a wide range of services and a full schedule of social, educational, and recreational opportunities.
