This process can raise a lot of questions:

• Where do I start?

• Are there resources available to help?

• Do I need to modify my house?

• Do I need to sell my house?

   That’s why we put our clients first, by providing options and resources to help them make an informed decision that works best for their situation.

Common scenarios where our services provide support:

• The need to downsize because home maintenance is overwhelming,

• The need to remove clutter or properly dispose of “stuff”

• Health conditions make it unsafe to live alone,

• Or the inability to go up and down stairs in a two-story home.

    Our team understands that this can be an overwhelming time with the stress of relocation, the emotional attachment to a family home, figuring out what to do with all the “stuff” in the home, and managing a possible crisis situation due to health or safety concerns.

    We work directly with seniors and their families throughout the Midwest and other states to help ease the transition from their family home into senior living communities and hopefully decrease some of the stress!

Tips for Helping Older Adults Transition to Senior Living – Part 1

   As your loved one ages, living alone might become unsafe. Getting in-home support can be costly or impractical. At this point, families start thinking about moving their loved one to senior living.

    But when you broach the idea of moving, conversations can get tense. It’s a stressful situation for everyone involved.

    Your loved one may blame you for “making me move”. It’s likely they feel fearful about losing control. And may resent you for “taking over their life”.

    You, on the other hand, love them and want the best quality of life they can have. Even if that means discussing a move to senior living.

Before starting this journey

   Before starting this journey, read these tips on how to start the conversation. Then keep the encouragement and momentum going.

    Most importantly, include your loved one in the decision. Let them take part as much as they can.

Phase 1

• Try starting the conversation long before a move becomes urgent.

• Gently bring up the idea of moving without forcing the issue.

• Ask them where they see themselves in the future.

• Plant seeds over time if possible. Gather brochures for them to look at. Talk about their friends who’ve moved to senior living.

• Keep it positive. Focus on the things your loved one could do if they moved. Avoid focusing on the things they can’t do if they stay home.

• Call a local Senior Housing Advisor. They can help with the discussion, answering any questions your loved one has.

• They’ll review your preferences, needs, and finances. Then they’ll refer senior living communities that match.

Phase 2

• Go visit several senior living places. Then narrow the list to 2 or 3 options. Don’t confuse or overwhelm with too many choices.

• Take them to visit the best 2-3 options. If that’s still too much decision making for your loved one, visit only one. Let them choose between rooms or apartments. NOTE: it’s important they have some part of the decision.

• While visiting, point out all the freedom they’ll gain. Focus on the privacy of their potential room or apartment. And point out all the opportunities waiting right outside their door. They can make new friends, join classes, or attend events. It’s up to them on what and how much they want to do.

• Review the monthly social/activity calendar. Circle or highlight the activities your loved one thinks are interesting.

• Meet other residents if possible. Ask about resident volunteer buddies or resident welcome committees.

• Re-visit your loved one’s favorite communities for a meal. Come back for an event or join an activity.

• Help your loved one envision their belongings in the apartment. Ask them where they’d place certain cherished possessions.

• Stress the benefits of moving to a senior living community. Share with your loved one the peace of mind you’d feel knowing they were in a safe place.

• Reassure your loved one that you will support them all through the transition to their new senior living.

In summary

Your loved one can truly gain quality of life when living in supportive senior living. Social opportunities, proper nutrition, and access to transportation contribute to their health and happiness.

    It’s our experience that once seniors settle in and start making new friends, they appear lighter. A burden has lifted. They often tell us, “I wish I’d moved sooner!”

Tips to Help Older Adults Transition to Senior Housing – Part 2

When Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia is Involved

    When moving an older adult with cognitive impairment or dementia, you must take additional things into consideration.

    First, the time leading up to a move can be tricky. Your loved one may feel increasingly anxious as moving day approaches. Once a community is selected, it’s best to keep the process short.

    Second, have a lot of empathy. Your loved one will face new surroundings, new routines, and new people. It can be frightening for someone with confusion or dementia. The first 2 to 8 weeks after a move are generally difficult and can lead to what’s called “Transition Trauma”.

    Here are various tips to help ease the transition trauma. You know your loved one best. Customize the ideas that might apply to them.

Steps for a successful transition when dementia’s involved…

• Let the doctor be “The Heavy”. Ask for their assistance in telling your older loved one they need to move to supportive living.

• Set up the apartment before your loved one arrives. Fill the space with familiar pictures, furniture, and other treasured belongings.

• Try to re-create a smaller duplicate to your loved one’s home. Arrange things in similar patterns.

• When you tell someone with dementia that they’re moving, it can cause tremendous anxiety. Alert their doctor. Then help lessen anxiety by waiting until a day or two before the move to tell them.

• Honesty is generally the best policy when planning for a move. However, using compassionate fibs may actually be best when someone has dementia. Ask yourself what would cause less anxiety, the truth or a compassionate fib.

• Use your best judgment with your loved one. Again, you know them better than anyone else. Make decisions with that in mind.

• Have compassion for your loved one and for yourself as this can be a difficult process.

The good news

   Thankfully, we generally find that people adapt in a matter of a few weeks after a move. They often begin thriving in their new home in about 6-8 weeks.

For you to do:

If you have a loved one that you care for or may have to help care for one day here are some good caregiver resources form UHC:

Caregiver Resources (opens in a new tab)

Bookmark the page and download the PDF & Guide.

Let us know when you need more help.

Alzheimer’s. The word alone can trigger fear and brings to mind the many serious and debilitating symptoms experienced by so many people. According to Johns Hopkins University, Alzheimer’s disease affects about 5.2 million Americans age 65 and older, and hundreds of thousands younger than that who have early-onset Alzheimer’s.

What causes Alzheimer’s disease? Although billions of dollars are spent annually on Alzheimer’s and dementia research (Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia), scientists don’t yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer's or dementia.

Scientists believe that age, personal health, family history, genetics, and abnormal protein deposits in the brain play a role. They also know that Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition, which is why noticing possible symptoms early may be a key to early diagnosis and slowing disease progression.

Scott Kaiser, M.D., director of geriatric cognitive health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, says: “Although there’s no cure yet, it can be slowed down, and the earlier it’s caught, the better your chances of reducing the disease’s progression.”

In this article, 5 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s You May Not Expect, you’ll learn that memory slips aren’t the only clue. Another early symptom may be difficulty recognizing sarcasm. This occurs because the disease interferes with the ability to read vocal and facial cues. That means a person may lose their internal lie detector or ability to know when someone is being sarcastic or joking.

Read the article to learn more about this surprising early symptom and others.