Senior Living Community Transition Tips: Successful Move to Fairfield
Of Iowa's 3.2 million population, 1 million are over the age of 50, making it one of the oldest states in the country.
To accommodate our aging population, the need for senior living communities is obvious. These communities give seniors somewhere to relax and enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle that they wouldn't get at home.
It's important to do your due diligence when selecting a senior living community for your loved one. The more care you take when searching for a senior living community in Fairfield, the more benefits they'll experience.
Of course, even when you find the perfect community, the transition into senior care can be difficult. In today's post, we'll give you some senior living advice for dealing with this transition effectively. Keep reading and make sure that your entire family is prepared to navigate this new territory together.
Choose the Right Type of Care
The best way to ease the transition into senior care is to opt for the right type of senior living environment. You'll be choosing between independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
Independent living communities are best for healthy seniors who want to eschew the responsibilities of home ownership and enjoy time around their peers. Assisted living is best suited for seniors who need help with daily activities because of health issues.
Memory care is reserved for those with Alzheimer's and dementia, which affects 7 million Americans. This care involves many of the same tactics as assisted living, but staff are also well-versed in dealing with the ever-changing symptoms of cognitive decline.
Find a Nearby Community
Transitioning into senior care is much easier when the resident is in familiar surroundings. If you're a Fairfield resident, our senior living advice would be to focus on moving seniors within Fairfield.
When residents recognize their landscape and landmarks, they'll feel less like a fish out of water. Choosing a nearby location also makes it much easier for loved ones to visit, which is integral in making the first few weeks of the transition more comfortable.
Look at Testimonials
Finding a reputable community that you can trust will also ease the transition. Another one of the most important relocating elderly tips is to use ratings and reviews to get a better sense of what daily life is like in each community. Nobody is better suited to tell you about this than loved ones of current and former residents.
If there are any issues with the way staff operate or the amenities in a community, you'll find out in the reviews. Narrow your selection down to 2-3 of the top-rated communities in Fairfield.
Take Tours
You should never select any Fairfield senior housing options without first taking tours with your loved one. A guided tour will take you through every part of the senior community, from the individual rooms to the common areas.
Always show up to your tours with a list of questions for the tour guide. Your questions should address your specific concerns. You should also keep an eye on certain things, like:
- How staff interact with community members
- The ratio of staff members to residents
- What kind of community amenities are there?
- Are residents socially active or in their rooms?
- Are pets allowed in the community?
Knowing how a community operates will help you decide if it's the right choice for your loved one. It'll also help them get a sense of the community's lifestyle before they move in, which will help the transition.
Check Activity Calendars
One of the biggest perks of any senior living community is the daily activity calendar. Many of the activities are geared toward the physical and cognitive health of residents.
They also help to integrate residents into the community. many of the activities are group-oriented, so it's the quickest way to get your loved one involved.
Before your loved one moves into the community, have them peruse the activity calendar and choose a few to participate in. Doing so will facilitate meetings with like-minded residents. The sooner they're interacting with other residents, the sooner they'll fit into the community.
Start Downsizing Early
One of the most difficult aspects of moving into senior living is downsizing. If your loved one has been living alone in their house for a while, getting rid of their belongings all at once to move into senior care can be overwhelming.
You can mitigate these overwhelming feelings by starting the downsizing process early on. In the months leading up to moving day, help them gradually get rid of the things they don't need, putting the rest into storage. Doing this will not only make the actual move simpler, it'll make the move feel less drastic.
Plan Visits ASAP
Choosing a nearby location makes the transition into senior care simpler because the family can visit your loved one. Try to make these visits frequently in the first few weeks.
When you drop your loved one off at the community, you should already have a plan in place for the next visit. Giving them something to look forward to will quell any feelings of isolation that might arise with a big move like this.
Stock Up on Supplies
Try to make the moving day as seamless and upbeat as possible. Get your loved one's room set up so that it feels like home. Also, make sure to stock up on whatever supplies they need to get by until your next visit.
What's great about senior living communities is that they provide so much for residents. You won't need many supplies, but if your loved one wants particular snacks, books, or decor in their apartment, have it ready for them on that first day.
Choose the Best Senior Living Community in Fairfield
No Fairfield senior relocation is going to be completely seamless. It's a major change, so there's always going to be a period of transition. These important relocating the elderly tips will make the process easier, but the best thing you can do is take the time to find the right community.
Choose the best senior living community in Fairfield, and the transition will be simple. Addington Place of Fairfield is one of Iowa's top senior living communities, offering countless amenities, fine dining, and a high standard of care. Contact us today to book a tour and see our community for yourself.