Helping Your Loved One with the Move to Assisted Living

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we understand seniors may feel anxious when facing a move into assisted living.  Often the decision is necessitated by a sudden change in the person’s ability to continue to live safely at home.  Even if the decision is of a more gradual nature, it is still a big change; but there are things family members can do to help make it a smoother transition.   

One thing experts agree on is that you need to remember to include your senior loved one in on the plans.  This starts with including them in the process of choosing the community - remember it will be their new home.  When you forget to ask for their input, it can make them feel as if they are losing their independence. While it is time consuming to visit senior living communities, we suggest you only take your parent or loved one with you after you have narrowed the choices down to a couple.  Be sure to encourage their opinion and make sure they have an opportunity to ask questions during the community’s tour.  

Another thing your loved one will most likely need is help with the moving process.  If they are still living in the family home, they will have to do lots of downsizing, which in itself can be stressful.  Trying to decide what is important to keep, what to give away to family or friends, and what to donate or sell is not easy.  Keep in mind the move to their new home will be smoother if they have familiar furnishings and treasured mementos around them.  Also while respecting their feelings, gently remind them their new home may be smaller and they do not want to be overwhelmed with too much “stuff.”  

If you are looking for the best senior living in Rio Rancho NM, we encourage you to consider MorningStar of Rio Rancho. Our beautiful community has 51 well-appointed assisted living suites along with 26 suites in our Reflections Neighborhood devoted to the individualized care of those with memory impairment. While located in a residential setting, MorningStar of Rio is one block from Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and convenient to banks, shopping, and restaurants.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Rio Rancho, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents within a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Rio Rancho NM.