| The need for a senior to move into Assisted Living | | | | Bedroom: |
| may present itself unexpectedly. Everything was | | | | I Full or Q Bed 2 nightstands, 1 telephone TV, video |
| going fine until they suffered a fall, stroke, or another | | | | equipment as needed 2 lamps, 1 dresser and mirror |
| unexpected event that has changed their ability to | | | | or 1 chest of drawers. 1 chair Bedspread, pillows, 2 |
| live independently. You, the adult child or guardian | | | | sets of sheets. |
| may live a fair distance. You have a busy life and | | | | Bathroom: Laundry basket waste basket 4 sets of |
| schedule. Their needs are now too great for you to | | | | towels Grab Handles in Tub/shower |
| care for them. They need expert care and constant | | | | You will want to make sure that the bedroom closet |
| attention. | | | | has double hang rods. Seniors usually wear separates |
| If you haven't visited an Assisted Living Community | | | | rather than needing full hang rods. If you can afford |
| in several years or maybe never, you are in for a | | | | it, install a small set of pull out wire drawers for |
| happy surprise. They are nothing like the early 20th | | | | shoes. Elfa Closet and Rubber Maid have designs that |
| century horrors of a nursing home. | | | | are perfect for this need. This will be an additional |
| In major population centers throughout the U.S. many | | | | cost but well worth it in convenience and extra |
| are like cruise ships that never sail - beautiful common | | | | storage. |
| rooms, elegant dining rooms, media centers, beauty | | | | The magic comes in the accessories. I've seen senior |
| shops and meeting rooms. The program director is | | | | apartments that look like motel rooms and it always |
| much like a cruise director, encouraging residents to | | | | breaks my heart. Don't believe them when they say |
| partake in a myriad of activities. Seniors can stroll or | | | | they "don't care" and they don't want anything. They |
| sit in beautiful outdoor gardens, sign up for craft | | | | do care, they just won't admit it to you. They |
| classes, lectures and field trips, hop a shuttle into | | | | always tell me later that they are sorry they |
| town or to an appointment or just gather for wine | | | | pretended they didn't care. They were trying not to |
| around the grand piano every afternoon at cocktail | | | | be too much trouble or were just being cantankerous |
| hour. Pets are often welcome. | | | | at the time. |
| Sounds delightful, doesn't it - and it is. So why do | | | | The reverse is trying to fit everything in their new |
| seniors resist moving? One big reason, of course is | | | | space. Too many pieces of furniture creates a |
| cost. These places are expensive and Long Term | | | | warehouse effect and can be hazardous and stifling |
| Care Insurance is a new phenomenon. While we are | | | | in a small space. You can't fit 2,000 sq ft of stuff into |
| living longer than ever before, our pensions and | | | | a 700sq ft space no matter what you do. Less is |
| savings are running out because the old model of | | | | more. |
| retiring at 65 and dying by 70 isn't true any more. | | | | Make sure that their beloved keepsakes, within |
| Even with poor health, medical science is extending | | | | reason, go with them. Determine what they really |
| our lives. The money isn't expanding at the same | | | | love - meaning what carries memories and makes |
| time. While extended families were nearby to care | | | | them happy. Some things will have to be left behind. |
| for their seniors, families are now scattered and few | | | | Take what will fit on the bookcase, curio cabinet or |
| are close enough, able or equipped to care for a | | | | on the walls. Take all photo albums to store in the |
| failing elder. While you may think that a senior | | | | closet and re frame photos where necessary. I often |
| community is out of your price range,there are ways | | | | find the photo frames to be old and falling apart. |
| to get financial help or even reduction in costs. | | | | Renewing them is honoring their memories. Make sure |
| Contact a Senior Housing Specialist for help. | | | | family photos are proudly displayed on the wall. Your |
| Another reason is ,that after living in their home for | | | | senior loved ones are proud of you and want to see |
| 40+ years, the Senior cannot decide what to take | | | | your photos and show their friends. |
| with them and what to leave behind. The choices can | | | | Try to re create their living room and bedroom |
| be overwhelming and paralyzing. They've been | | | | accessories placement as closely as possible to their |
| watching the auction shows on TV and think | | | | previous home. Senior Communities will provide |
| everything they own "might be worth something" or | | | | window blinds on the windows. Warm up the |
| just have so much stuff, they don't know where to | | | | windows with store bought valances. |
| start. | | | | Don't forget to provide a couple of small outdoor |
| If you must move your beloved senior to a senior | | | | chairs and a small table if your seniors apartment has |
| community, here are some guidelines. | | | | a patio or deck. |
| It is important and the least stressful for all of you if | | | | Memory Loss/Alzheimer's/Dementia |
| you get your senior out of their home and into their | | | | These beloved seniors will have small rooms with a |
| new community before you try to sort through a | | | | single bed,night table, dresser and chair and a |
| lifetime of their stuff. This is what you need to take. | | | | bathroom. They won't need a kitchen. We really don't |
| In most cases, senior apartments have a Kitchen, a | | | | know what their awareness level is so make sure |
| living room, a spacious bathroom that can | | | | that familiar items, and photos go with them, even if |
| accommodate a wheelchair and a 10 x 12 bedroom. | | | | you are not sure they remember what they are. |
| Total sq feet is around 700 sq ft. That sounds small, | | | | When in doubt,take it with them. They will spend |
| but remember your senior will be busy outside of | | | | their awake hours in the common areas under |
| their apartments with lots of activities, and will be | | | | supervision and encouraged to engage in activities |
| eating all three meals in the common dining room with | | | | matching their abilities. They will be tucked in safely |
| other residents. The kitchen will probably contain a | | | | at night. Often, their residences are on the upper |
| refrigerator,sink, a microwave oven and two cooking | | | | floors of assisted living communities where they can |
| burners. There will be space for dishes and a few | | | | have an enclosed inescapable rooftop garden in which |
| pots and pans There will be a small pantry too, | | | | to stroll and entertain visitors. |
| possibly a dishwasher. In most cases, the senior will | | | | Knowing all of this in advance will save you time , |
| never use their kitchen. | | | | trouble, worry, and inconvenience. Properly designing |
| What to take: | | | | their closet and storage will make an enormous |
| Kitchen | | | | difference in how they settle into their new home. |
| A small table no larger than 36" diameter, 2 kitchen | | | | Making this transition as seamless as possible will |
| chairs. 4 place settings of dishes and cutlery, A few | | | | make a huge difference in your stress level too. |
| cooking pots/containers, waste basket, small | | | | If you are unable to do move your senior on you |
| appliances, microwave if not provided | | | | own, contact the National Association of Senior Move |
| Living Room: | | | | Managers for a professional senior move manager |
| 1 six foot sofa plus 1 chair or 1 loveseat and 2 chairs. | | | | near you. They are seasoned experts who truly |
| TV, credenza , video equipment, Telephone, | | | | enjoy helping you and your beloved senior make this |
| bookcase or curio cabinet for photos and keepsakes. | | | | important transition. |
| Coffee tables are a tripping hazard. | | | | |