Moving into assisted living doesn’t have to feel daunting. In fact, when you break down the process into a 5-point checklist, you regain control over the process, and you see it as a truly positive experience. If you are looking into moving into assisted living, make sure to take note of the below to ensure you are fully prepared for what is to come.
Choosing the Area
The facilities and amenities a location has to offer are important in your decision, but so too is the area. If you are not in the right area, it can impact how you feel about moving. A compromise on the area may not be something you are happy to do. For example, St Louis assisted living communities may be something you have thought about for a while, and this may be for many reasons. It may be because it is centrally located, and it may be because you know the area. Do not compromise because perhaps it is cheaper or closer to where you know. Choose somewhere you love.
Visiting
You can look at brochures, websites, and photos, but you need to visit a location to make sure it is right for you. When you are visiting a new area or location, it is important to keep an open mind. Try not to speculate too much before you visit, as these can hinder your view and thought process. Appointments will be necessary when visiting, so make sure you plan your trip.
Recommendations and Reviews
It can really help to see what other people have said about a place you are looking at. Seeing accommodation reviews and recommendations from others can be eye-opening. Reviews can help you see what you should expect from facilities and amenities, and this can help you physically (and mentally) prepare for a move. When you are using reviews and recommendations, it is important to look at those that are relevant to you. For example, if you are looking at assisted living for a respite stay, there is no point in looking at ones about memory care.
Price Point
You will find that all different locations have different price points attached to them. Some can be at the higher end of your budget because they are in a city or next to a town. Some can be more affordable, as they are a 15-minute bus ride out of town. When you are looking into assisted living, you need to know what price point you are happy to look at based on what you have in your retirement pot and other savings.
You also need to ensure you will be comfortable with the price point in the foreseeable future. If a place is unaffordable, it can add extra stress and pressure; this is not what you need. Carefully assess your finances to make sure that the location you are looking at is within budget and within your price point.
Preparing Yourself
No matter where you are moving from, you will find that moving to assisted living will be different for you. During the move, you may have relocated to a new area. Or you may have moved further away from family and friends. When you can invest some time in preparing yourself for the move, you can enjoy the process, and you can enjoy your new living arrangement. If you are not focused on preparing yourself, you can suffer from a state of shock, and this can have an impact on how well you settle into your new accommodation.