Marjorie P. Lee Senior Living Blog

Depending on what you make of it, moving into an assisted living apartment can either be treated as a new adventure or signal the start of trying times. Any move can upset a familiar routine, it will likely be at least a short while before the new surroundings feel like "home, sweet home." But when you learn the tricks of individuals and families who move a lot, you can start making a new place feel like home quickly.

The best advice from these experienced movers is to pack a small "Survival Kit." The components of that kit will vary from one person to another, but the idea is the same.

Just as a child will fall asleep in peace while clutching a beloved stuffed animal, even seniors will benefit by having some sort of 'security blanket" readily available. A cherished reminder of the previous home is an antidote to the stress and anxiety of a move. Solace can come from a framed photo of children or grandchildren, a favorite tea cup and silver spoon, any memento of friends, family and lifestyle, or a cozy knitted throw to chase away the chill— both the physical kind and the emotional.

Safety is a concern no matter where you live, but for an older person with vision challenges, it can be a matter of life and death.

By the time you’re ready to help plan a move into an assisted living apartment, it may be necessary to adjust the environment to accommodate for physical changes like mobility and vision impairments. When you are getting ready to assist with this transition, talk with the move-in coordinator to see how the community can accommodate the following four improvements.

Many seniors have, at some point in their lives, felt the sting of social isolation or loneliness— which are actually two independent but related conditions. A person in a state of social isolation has minimal contact with other people while someone who is lonely experiences the negative feelings associated with perceived social isolation. In other words, social isolation is a state of being alone that can cause feelings of loneliness.

For most children, spending time with grandparents is a memorable experience, a time of relaxed rules and special treats that can be withheld from parents. The experience is priceless for seniors as well, even when the constant activity and boundless energy of young children can be exhausting. More rest cannot compete with the pleasures of having grandchildren around, even if you live in an assisted living apartment.

Being active is essential for a happy and healthy life. Staying active is important for people of all ages but, if you are like most seniors, you sometimes find it difficult to come up with ways to stay active when bad weather keeps you indoors.