The average adjustment period takes three to six months when your aging parent moves to a retirement community. Of course, this transition can feel overwhelming for everyone. Research shows that adult children deal with mixed emotions from relief to deep guilt at the time they make this life-changing choice.

A La Jolla retirement community offering assisted living could give your parent(s) the personalized and professional care they need while giving you peace of mind. This helps curb the loneliness many older adults experience at home. This article guides you through everything when moving your parents to assisted living. You’ll learn the right time to make a move and how to handle both the emotional and practical parts of this most important change.

Signs Your Parents Need Assisted Living

The right time to think about assisted living comes down to watching your parent’s daily routine carefully. Per the Center for Disease (CDC), research shows that 13.4% of adults aged 75 and older needed help with daily activities in 2023.

• Physical indicators show up in everyday tasks and appearance. You might notice your loved one struggles with dressing, bathing or managing medications. Signs of declining physical abilities often appear through frequent accidents or unexplained bruises.
• Changes in living conditions signal that someone needs more support. Watch for these warning signs:
  • The house isn’t staying clean anymore
  • Regular home maintenance gets forgotten
  • Medications become hard to track
  • Weight drops without explanation
  • Personal hygiene starts slipping
  • Friends and family see them less often

Nearly one-fourth of adults 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, per the National Institute of Health (NIH). This lack of connection can lead to health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease and cognitive decline.

Starting the Conversation

Starting a talk about moving to a retirement community that offers assisted living needs careful planning and a gentle touch. The best time to have these conversations is before any crisis happens. This gives everyone enough time to think things through without feeling rushed.

• Choose the Right Moment: Note that picking the right time and place can make all the difference. Set up the conversation during a peaceful time, ideally face-to-face or on video chat, where you can speak without any distractions.
• Create a Supportive Environment: Big family meetings might overwhelm your parent(s), so start with just two or three of you. Listen carefully and try to understand their view. Here are some great ways to keep the conversation going:
  • Keep your first talks short and relaxed
  • Give them space to process their feelings
  • Let them help make decisions
  • Stay in touch regularly
  • Show them you care and support them

More family members can help when it is the right time. You may want to talk with all siblings first to help them understand the changes and needs and to all be on the same page before bringing them into the discussion. Their doctor can also confirm needed changes in care and support a move to a community offering assisted living by sharing medical advice when needed.

This process usually takes several conversations spread over time. A soaring win comes from respecting everyone’s thoughts and values while keeping the dialog going. You’re there to guide the talk but let your parent(s) feel they control their future living situation.

Planning the Transition

The move to a community offering assisted living needs a well-laid-out timeline to ensure everything goes smoothly. You should start getting ready about three to six months before the planned moving date.

• Start with Downsizing: The original task should focus on sorting belongings into clear groups – keep, donate, sell or give to family members. To ease into the process, start with rooms that have fewer emotional connections. You can take photos of items with sentimental value; this helps preserve memories without keeping physical items.
• Essential Documentation: Having copies of these vital documents will make the transition process easier and inform you of you parent’s needs and desires:
  • Power of Attorney designations for healthcare and finances
  • Living Will and advance directives
  • Insurance cards and policies
  • Social Security and Medicare information
  • Birth certificate and other identification
  • Medical records and current prescriptions

• Creating a Comfortable Space: The transition becomes easier when the new living space feels like home. Bring familiar items from their previous home, such as cherished photos, comfortable quilts and favorite reading chairs. Keep the new space uncluttered and safe by maintaining clear walkways and proper lighting.

Note that patience matters throughout this process. Your parent might need to sort through belongings several times to feel confident about their decisions. Look at the bright side of the move – less home maintenance work and more chances to socialize in their new community.

Prioritizing Their Well-being

Moving parents to a community with assisted living is one of the most important changes that affects your family. This transition brings great benefits – your loved ones get professional care and you gain peace of mind.

Success in this move depends on careful planning and open communication. This change isn’t an endpoint – call it a new chapter that gives your parent social connections and proper care.

Note that adjustment usually takes three to six months and patience is vital. Your steady support helps your parent adapt better. Our experienced team at Casa de Mañana can guide you through this decision – contact us at (800) 959-0710 to schedule a tour of our retirement community offering independent living and assisted living in La Jolla, CA.

This step might seem daunting at first. With good preparation and support, you and your parent can welcome this new phase of life. Your loved one’s well-being matters most and you can preserve their dignity throughout this transition.