If it comes to a time when your parent or parents need to move into a retirement community or an assisted living community, it’s important that they get all the support they can. You should understand what is involved in their big move so that you can help them through it, answer all their questions, and prepare them as much as possible. Read on for our tips on navigating this move.
Talk to them
Moving out of a home that they may have lived in for decades and perhaps raised children and grandchildren in is bound to be an emotional time. It’s important that you talk with your parents openly during this time to help them through it.
If you educate yourself as much as possible on the moving process and the place they are moving to, then you will be better able to answer any questions they may have, which can assuage their concerns.
Tour the facility
If your parents are resistant to moving, it’s likely that the image they have in their head of a retirement community is worse than the reality. Seeing the home and community they’ll be moving to can help to the transition and bring them more peace of mind. They can see where they’ll be living and the level of privacy they’ll have, as well as all the perks of living in a community.
They may also be able to talk to staff and current residents to get to know them and have any more questions they have answered.
Packing
There will likely be a lot of packing to do, so you and other family members should help as much as possible through this process. Alternatively, you could hire a local packing service to take off some of the burden. Either way, it’s a good idea to be there with your parents during packing, as it can be an emotional time, seeing all of your belongings and memories moved out of your home.
Getting affairs in order
You can also shoulder the burden for your parents when it comes to sorting out their affairs. Are they selling the house or will it be kept in the family or rented out to tenants? Simple things can often be overlooked like informing local health providers that they will be moving out of the area. Then there’s also the finances involved in moving to their new community.
We wish you the best of luck through this difficult transition. Bermuda Village is a welcoming retirement community in Bermuda Run, NC. If you’re yet to choose your parents’ new home, find out if our community is the right fit for them.
