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6 Ways to Avoid Downsizing Disasters When Moving your Parent to Assisted Living

Helping a parent downsize can be a rewarding experience. It’s also a lot of work – both physically and emotionally. While you might be tempted to just “get it done”, here are six things to avoid.

1. Take Charge

Downsizing is an emotional process. It will go more smoothly and quickly if you take charge and handle the details yourself. Your parent is too close to it. They’ll also avoid all the hassle! When you’re in the driver’s seat, it’s easier for them and less emotional, too.

False. Downsizing and moving to assisted living can leave mom or dad feeling like they’re losing control. It’s easy to look at what they’ll lose in the move, rather than what they’ll gain. Offer advice and help, but let them decide what to bring, what to donate, give away or toss.

2. Approach the House Without a Plan

Planning for downsizing will only make mom or dad more nervous. Plus, it’s better to tell them how the process will go rather than have them try to dictate how it should go. They’re too emotionally invested to make good decisions.

False. Planning for downsizing days alleviates stress for both of you. Asking for their input and involvement is respectful and affirming.

Decide together which spaces you’ll tackle and on which days. This will put your parent’s mind at ease. They’ll view you as a true partner in the process.

Remember your parent has less emotional and physical energy than you do. Tackling the whole house in one day isn’t doable or advisable.

3. Start with Areas with the Most ‘Stuff’

Attics, basements and garages accumulate the most “stuff.” Tackle these first, when you have the most energy.

False. Start with the main living areas of the house – kitchen, living room, family room – and finish one before starting the next. These rooms are packed and the sorting process will be full of emotion. Plan on working through no more than one of these per day. Remember that this time is also an opportunity to share stories with mom or dad.

What to keep and what not to keep can be excruciating. Make four piles: keep, give away/donate, give to family and trash. These questions can help you keep the sorting process moving.

Leave sheds, attics and basements until last. Other than holiday decorations or small gardening tools, items in these areas are less likely to be useful in your parent’s new home.

4. Don’t Come Armed with Information

Don’t look too eager. Showing up with details like dimensions of their new apartment, places that accept used and pick up used furniture will make you look pushy.

False. You can’t control what your parent thinks. What you can do is explain how the information you bring will make the downsizing process easier. It’s meant to take some of the trouble out of the move for them. Some of the items that will help, in addition to the plan mentioned above:

  • Room dimensions. (You’ll know on the spot where a piece of furniture will or won’t fit.)
  • Which direction the apartment faces. (Will mom or dad need more lamps since her new home faces north instead of south and east?)
  • Names and numbers of nonprofits that accept or pick up clothing, household goods, furniture and collections. (You’ll avoid sorting slowdowns if you can assure mom or dad that a particular group takes housewares or Dad’s antique fishing lures.)

5. Don’t Start Early

You and your parent knows that assisted living is on the horizon. There’s no need to start downsizing right now. It’s like pulling off a bandage. It’s less painful when you rip it off quickly. Do it slowly and it’s more painful – a reminder that they can’t take care of themselves.

False. The earlier your parent starts to downsize, the easier it will be. They can work at their own pace and schedule. Downsizing becomes something that’s doable. They’ll feel more in control of the next stage of their life.

6. Don’t Acknowledge that Downsizing is Stressful

Don’t acknowledge the meaning or magnitude of the task to yourself or your parent. Your parent is probably already emotional and by reminding them, you’ll make it worse. They don’t need you to remind them of their losses.

False. Moving is stressful. Period. When mom or dad is moving from a home full of memories they’ve lived in for years to a much smaller apartment it’s even more so. They’ll need your support and patience through this transition. Your positivity and understanding will make the process easier and more enjoyable for both of you.

You can avoid these downsizing disasters with your parents by being open and supportive of this life-changing event for them. Learn more about moving your parent to assisted living by downloading our eBook, ‘Making the Move to Assisted Living”.

 

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

Often, many adult children avoid bringing it up because it can be a sensitive topic.

This guide will provide you with helpful tips and insight on how to have a productive conversation with your parent and siblings regarding your parent’s future.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This guide will provide you with skills and knowledge on how to handle difficult behaviors your aging parent may be experiencing.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

There are many questions to answer before making the decision to take care of a loved one.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

This guide will provide you with resources and tools on how to identify depression, what are the common causes of depression, and how to promote mental health in your aging loved one.


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No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


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Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

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Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
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