So, it’s time to move your parent to assisted living. Their move in-in date is approaching, and there is a lot to be done. Emotions are running high for everyone.

This blog will provide practical guidance as you are moving your parent into assisted living such as where to start in their current home, information on what assisted living provides, a checklist for moving to assisted living, and how to make their new place feel like home.

Start cleaning early

Before moving into assisted living, there is likely work to be done at your parent’s current home. Cleaning out their house can be incredibly daunting and will be emotional for you and your parent. If possible, start cleaning out their house in advance of the move. Going through this process slowly can make it less intimidating and gives your parent time to decide what they’d like to do with their items.

Try tackling cleaning the house room-by-room. During this process, you may see things in rooms that need to be repaired in the event your parent sells the property. Another benefit of cleaning the house early is leaving yourself plenty of time to fix any damage, or to hire help if needed for repairs or deep cleaning.

Be familiar with what your community provides and know what to pack

Cleaning out the house will naturally flow into packing for assisted living. Every assisted living community is different in what is provided and what you will need to bring.

The monthly rental fee at Heritage Pointe includes:

• Beautifully refurbished apartments
• Emergency alert system, 24-hour staff, and a 24-hour safety system
• Three kosher meals served daily
• Housekeeping and linen services
• Wi-Fi throughout the community
• Utilities, including local/long-distance phone, maintenance, basic cable, and DVR box
• Full social calendar of events and entertainment
• Scheduled transportation

As a prospective resident of Heritage Pointe, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff with any assisted living questions. We want your parent to feel as prepared and comfortable as possible before their move-in date. 

As a starting point, here’s a brief checklist for moving into assisted living:

• Clothing
• Jewelry
• Toiletries
• Furniture (bed, couch, nightstands, table, etc.)
• Important documents
• Basic cookware (if apartment has a kitchenette)
• Towels
• Sheets
• Bedding
• Blankets
• Décor
• Photos
• TV

Make their assisted living apartment feel like home

When your parent moves into their new apartment, it’s important to decorate it to make it feel more like home. While it will take time to get adjusted, decorating can help them feel more comfortable.

Bring decorations from their previous home like art, books, lamps, wall hangings, blankets, etc. Warming the apartment up with pieces that fit their style will help it feel a little bit more like home. Or, use this as an opportunity to help them redecorate. Spruce up the new place with a new color scheme or style that gets them excited about a new, fresh space. 

Your parent had a lifetime of a personalized routine, and every day comforts they won’t want to part with — and they shouldn’t have to. Whether it’s their favorite box of tea, a full bookshelf, or their TV ready-to-go with all their streaming services logged in, help them bring those comforts into their assisted living apartment.

Financial and logistical to-dos

Before your parent moves into an assisted living community, make sure there is a clear payment plan outlined ahead of time. Proactively being on the same page about what cadence bills will be paid, how payments will be made, etc. will prevent future headaches.

Additionally, you’ll want to ensure utilities and services have been cancelled or transferred to prevent paying for services they don’t need, and ensuring they have services that they do. Complete the official United States Postal Service Change-of-Address form so mail is forwarded to their new address.

Heritage Pointe is here during the transition 

Heritage Pointe works hard to ensure new residents feel at home. The New Resident Welcome Committee pairs new residents with like-minded current residents to show them around the community, introduce them to other residents, and accompany them to meals and activities. Additionally, there is a monthly new resident meeting with the management team to get to know the staff.

As you prepare to move your parent to assisted living, the Heritage Pointe team is here to answer any questions you or your loved one has about our assisted living services.  

For more information about Heritage Pointe, connect with us today to learn more about our community or to schedule a visit.   

No move is easy. As an older adult, this can be an even more sensitive topic as assisted living and memory care services become the next step. Discussing a potential move with your parents can be challenging and emotional — for both them and you. Thoughtfully preparing how to talk to your parents about assisted living can make these conversations smoother.

This blog will cover how to start a difficult conversation, how to talk to your parents about assisted living, and how to control your emotions.

How to start a difficult conversation

Preparing for your difficult conversation can make all the difference. Think ahead about what you’d like to discuss, what could upset your parent and what you’d like to leave the conversation with.

From the start of your conversation do your best to make it a safe space to talk. Let your parent know you will listen to their thoughts and wishes and reaffirm to them that you care about them and want what is best for them and their health.

Be prepared to listen — think of the phrase, “seek first to understand and then to be understood.” Keep in mind their feelings and have empathy from the start of the conversation. Make it clear they are heard and their opinions and feelings matter.

How to talk to your parent about assisted living

Before you talk to your parent about assisting living, research senior living community options to bring to the table. You should be aware of the types of senior living offerings and the level of care provided, as well as what your parent may need. Heritage Pointe offers assisted living and memory care services.

Memory care is for older adults who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, while assisted living communities offer nursing assistance and personal care as needed. Talk to your parent about both options, their concerns and what they would like in a senior living community.

When discussing assisted living for the first time, reassure your parent that a decision does not need to be made immediately. Approach the conversation with openness, encouraging your loved one to do the same, and work to understand their wishes.

How to control your emotions during a difficult conversation

Navigating difficult conversations can be especially challenging when your emotions are heightened. These conversations are sure to bring about a variety of feelings and reminding yourself of that can be helpful.

Here are some tips for controlling your emotions during difficult conversations:

1. Deep breathing is shown to help calm us down when we feel anxious. Deep breaths signal to the brain to calm down and relax. Throughout your conversation, be cognizant to breathe deeply.
2. Exercising emotional choice may be a helpful tool. Naming your emotions can help you manage them. By identifying what you are feeling, and acknowledging they are natural feelings anyone in the situation would have, you may find peace. During your conversation, if you feel an emotion arise, try reminding yourself why you are feeling that emotion, and that it’s okay to be emotional during these conversations.
3. Taking breaks may be helpful if your conversation is not productive. If you and your parent have spoken your minds, it is okay to stop the conversation and decide to discuss again later. Embrace the flexibility to make decisions after you both get to think about your options.

Your parent will likely also be emotional. Do your best to comfort them as you both navigate this difficult conversation and think about what it would be like to be in their shoes.

Heritage Pointe is here to help

Our team is here to help you prepare for these tough questions about our assisted living and memory care communities. Contact us for more information, or to connect with a trusted staff member.

As you look at senior living options for yourself or for a loved one, it can be difficult to deduce what care level is best. Our team at Heritage Pointe is here to talk through our care options and find the best fit.

We offer assisted living in Orange County, California, which may be the right option for seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living. This blog will explore what assisted living is, who qualifies for assisted living, assisted living vs. nursing homes and the cost of assisted living.

For seniors who are looking for supportive living situations, but do not need full-time care, assisted living may be appropriate. The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) explains assisted living as “serving individuals who generally need help with every day activities and some health care services, but do not require 24-hour on going skilled nursing care services for extended periods of time.”

Assisted living should help residents maximize and maintain their independence for as long as possible. Each resident has individual needs and preferences; assisted living provides personalized care.

Assisted living at Heritage Pointe is supportive and comfortable. We provide personal senior care, support, and assistance with the activities of daily living, so residents can remain independent while having the option of support.

Heritage Pointe’s Sage Living neighborhood offers residents access to a higher level of care when needed. Sage Living includes:

• 24-hour, specially trained staff on site
• Increased staff-to-resident ratio
• A secure environment dedicated to care and providing the highest quality of life
• Multiple areas for group activities and smaller, individualized activities
• Daily wellness, social and physical activities
• Support with personal care, housekeeping, laundry, activities, and meals
• Sage Living Spa with roll-in shower and side-loading whirlpool bath
• Access to Heritage Pointe’s full range of services and amenities

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home

Assisted living is intended for seniors who require some assistance with activities of daily living, but not round the clock care. While living in an assisted living community, seniors are equipped to maintain their daily life and routines with access to care if needed. Alternatively, nursing homes provide 24/7 care for adults with serious health issues.

How long people live in assisted living depends on their overall health and development of needs or conditions. The NCAL estimates individuals live in assisted living for 22 months, then move to a nursing home or a different living arrangement (i.e., home with family, different facility, etc.).

Who Qualifies for Assisted Living

Because assisted living is so personalized, there are no strict qualifications for residents to meet. Generally, residents who need assistance with some activities of daily living (i.e., bathing, cooking, cleaning, etc.), require minimal skilled nursing services (not 24/7 care), are in rehabilitation or need medication management assistance are candidates for assisted living.

Residents who need constant supervision or memory care may be better suited for our memory care program.

Our team is happy to talk through care options — contact us today for more information.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

According to the Genworth Cost of Long-Term Care survey, the estimated median cost of assisted living for 2024 was $5,551 monthly. Cost depends on a variety of factors, such as location in the United States, room size, amenities, care level, etc.

As you’re deciding if assisted living is the right fit, you may be wondering, how do I pay for assisted living? Many combine resources, such as personal savings, long-term care insurance, veterans’ benefits or other sources of income. Generally, Medicare does not cover assisted living costs, and not all communities accept Medicaid. Before committing to an assisting living community, it is important to understand what payments are accepted, what payment plans are available, and to have a plan to cover the costs.

For more information about our assisted living in Orange County and the best fit for you or your loved one, reach out to us today!