According to the National Center for Assisted Living, 70 percent of all assisted living residents move to a care facility from a private home or apartment. Transitioning to an assisted living facility often means downsizing, and the associated stress can delay a much-needed decision to improve quality of life. The great news is that there are several ways to approach this downsizing process that reduce tension and anxiety.
Here are 5 tips that may help make your move more manageable.
- Plan ahead. Have a full page floor plan of the unit including wall measurements.
- The Green Sticker Trick. Place a small green sticker on each piece of furniture that you use every day. Then draw those pieces of furniture into the floor plan diagram first.
- Think Small. Avoid oversized furniture
- Get Creative. Make the most of the space by using multi-purpose furniture.
- Pack a “First Night Box.” Pack all the items you will need for that first day or night in one easy-to-use container. A few of these items include:
- Medications
- Glasses
- TV remote
- Daily use personal hygiene necessities
- Comfort items (i.e. book, crosswords, sweater)
- Hearing Aids
- Dentures
- Phone
If you’d like to know more about assisted living care, or to speak with one of Shell Point’s assisted living experts, call (239) 454-2077.