• Read all the materials about the assisted living residence before you move in.
• Try and meet the administrator or director and staff before moving day.
• Review the paperwork and contract before you move in so that your questions can be answered in advance.
• Pack wisely. Don’t bring everything.
• Obtain a list from the residence of suggested items to bring.
• Obtain a list of residence policies and familiarize yourself with them.
• Label your clothing if the residence is helping you with laundry.
• Read the activity schedule and choose two or three programs to attend early on to meet your neighbors and other residents.
  
  

Current residents advise friends and family members to be involved before, during, and after the move. Your loved one does not want to be seen or treated differently now that they live in an assisted living residence. Remember, your family member or friend hasn’t changed; it’s only their home address that has changed.

Be aware. Family members and close friends often experience the same emotions as a new resident. These emotions are natural and to be expected.

• Make all the decisions or take over the sorting, packing, and moving process.
• Focus only on yourselves. This is about the resident moving, not you!
• Criticize the decision to move into assisted living.
• Make light of the transition.
• Immediately talk about selling the resident’s house.
• Make promises that you cannot keep.
• Be negative.