Downsizing to an Assisted Living Suite?

Along with the emotional transition to assisted living, your loved one may require help downsizing their belongings especially if they are still living in their own home.  While many assisted living suites such MorningStar at Arrowhead’s are quite roomy, obviously they are not as big as a whole house.  Nor will your parent need the same amount of housewares and equipment in their new suite as they will no longer be preparing meals or cleaning and maintaining a home.

The Family Caregiver Alliance has some tips as well as a check sheet for families to help make the process go more smoothly and ultimately save time and energy.   They suggest strategies to use if you have the time (if it is not an emergency to move now) and plan the steps you will take as far out as six months to a year.  In fact decluttering should be done on a fairly regular basis including updating paperwork and shredding old documents.  Also periodically get rid of unused or worn out clothing, furniture and extraneous household items. 

One of the first steps they recommend is to write lists and add to them whenever you think of something new.  Lists should include things your parent wants to take with them to their new home, and a timeline of when things need to be done by.  Get a floorplan of the suite as it will make it easier to realistically plan what to take, to sell, donate or to give away.  The Family Caregiver Alliance also reminds families to go slow with the sorting process and try not to overwhelm their parent by doing too much each day.  

MorningStar at Arrowhead is pleased to offers 60 private assisted living suites on two levels.  Residents has a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans.  In addition, we have 25 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in our Reflections Neighborhood. Please visit our website for more information.

MorningStar at Arrowhead represents the best in senior living with a unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” We have built our foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Call to schedule a visit to the finest assisted living and memory care in the area.

Source: caregiver.org/downsizing-home-checklist-caregivers