While some retirees are able to remain in their personal residences until they pass on, circumstances compel others to relocate into retirement communities. Below are five tips for helping parents transition into senior living in Clinton, MS.
Include Them in the Decision Making Process
Even if your parent is suffering from a degenerative condition such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, they should still be given a choice when it comes to relocation. If they are adamant about remaining in their current residence, you should never argue about it or force the issue, nor should you pressure them to relocate against their will. By including them in the decision, it shows that you respect them and should they choose to relocate the process will be a lot easier.
Plan the Move Months in Advance
The earlier you plan the move, the easier it will be. Ideally, you’ll want to plan months in advance, because you’ll need to figure out what to do with all the belongings that your parents have amassed over the decades. It is unlikely that all of it can be taken to their new home, so you’ll need to speak with your parents to decide if they want to sell it at an auction or garage sale, place it in storage or give to family members.
Conduct Extensive Research
There are multiple retirement communities available, and you and your parents must decide which is best for them. Taking the time to conduct thorough research will help you learn more about each community and the various features and amenities they offer. You’ll also need to compare costs and how far family members will need to travel to visit. Once you’ve identified a community that seems like a good fit, you don’t want to commit to relocating until your loved one has had time to physically tour the community grounds to see how they like it.
Decide How You Will Finance Their Retirement Expenses
Not only will you have to cover the fixed costs of relocation itself, you’ll also have to figure out how your parents will cover their ongoing monthly expenses. There are a number of ways in which this can be done, which range from pensions to stock dividends, veterans’ programs and government services such as Medicare or Medicaid.
If your parents currently own a property, they can either put it up for sale and use the proceeds to fund their retirement community costs, or they can rent it out and apply the monthly earnings towards their retirement fees. Both options have advantages and disadvantages which should be carefully considered.
Recreate a Familiar Environment
When your parent moves into their new dwellings, getting settled in will be a lot easier if they are surrounded by things they’re familiar with. If possible, you’ll want to bring family portraits, furniture, decorations and other mementos from their former home and be sure to arrange it in a similar manner. By recreating their previous environment as much as possible they’ll be grateful for your efforts.
