Making the Move: Assisted Living Checklist

Moving to a new home can be a demanding undertaking. Uprooting your life and relocating your belongings takes a lot of forethought and planning. This can be especially true of a move to an assisted living community. If you or your aging loved one are considering or have decided to make this transition, it is important to develop a game plan prior to moving day. This can help eliminate some of the stress and uncertainty involved in the process and expedite the process of beginning this exciting new chapter in life.

Before moving is underway, be sure to consult this checklist to ensure that the process will go as smoothly as possible.

Anticipate the New Accommodations
Assisted living has boundless perks. Residents are surrounded by a community of neighbors and aides who feel like family, their needs—health-related or otherwise, and they will be free of the burdens of home maintenance. However, it is important to consider the size and dimensions of their new living space. You may find that it is necessary to downsize the volume of belongings and furniture to make sure the new residence can accommodate the most important things. Learn more about downsizing here.

Pack Efficiently
It is wise to begin the packing process as early as possible to avoid overwhelm as move-in day approaches. After your or your loved one’s belongings have been appropriately downsized, start packing them in a way that makes sense. Leave plenty of time and commit to an hour or two of packing per day to make things less stressful. Next, make sure to start packing the least essential items first. For example, pack off-season clothing that is not currently getting much use. Non-functional décor, photos, art, books, and movies are also good items to pack early. Avoid packing up things like medicine and health-related items, or cleaning supplies that are important for daily use.

Find Trusted Movers
It is important to make sure moving day goes off without a hitch. One way to be certain it does is to hire reliable movers. If you know anyone in the area who has already made the move, ask them what service they used and if their experience was a positive one. If you are starting from scratch, be sure to read online reviews to ensure your movers are reliable and trustworthy. Try to schedule your move as far in advance as possible, especially if it will occur during warmer months when moving is more common.

Consider Other Logistics
If your aging loved one is making the move, try and schedule it for a time when you and other family members can be available. If you are making the move, be sure to invite your family to help if they are able. Additional hands on deck can help make the process go more smoothly (and extra vehicles and trunk space can reduce the cost spent on movers). Not only that, involving more family members in the process can make for a fun bonding experience.

If you would like to learn more about planning a move to Seattle assisted living, call CRISTA Senior Living today at (206) 546-7565 or contact us online.