Home care can help seniors stay in their homes for as long as possible, providing assistance with household tasks and personal care that otherwise may become overwhelming. But what happens when—for financial, health or other reasons—keeping a senior at home is no longer feasible?

Moving into assisted living doesn’t have to mean an end to home care. In fact, the compassionate, highly customized help that home care offers can be a real asset in easing the transition to a community setting.

Packing

 A home holds a heavy sentimental weight for many seniors and their families, especially when the time comes to box up belongings and move somewhere new. Home care can be an ally not only with the physical aspect of preparing a house to be vacated and sold, but also with the more emotionally taxing process of sorting through what to bring and what to give away. Having a third party who doesn’t share the deep attachment to a place and its contents that a family member might can bring a calming breath for everyone.

Moving

 Some seniors embrace moving day as the start of a new chapter, but for many the act of organizing a new home may stir a longing for the one they left behind. Having a helper on hand to set up the new apartment can go a long way to making it feel homey right away. A favorite chair here, the drawings from the grandkids there, those picture frames arranged just so—sometimes the smallest details matter most, and home care provides a patient, loving extra hand at a hectic time.

 Adjusting

As an assisted living resident gains trust in new caregivers, keeping a home care helper around can yield a much smoother transition for all involved. As with any big change, a familiar face or hand to hold provides much-needed reassurance—but it’s not only about helping a senior feel better about the change. A gradual, in-person care handoff gives new caregivers the opportunity to learn the nuances of a senior’s health, wellbeing and personal care preferences.

 Supplementing

Depending on schedules and geography, families can’t always visit their aging loved ones as often as they might like. While an assisted living community should provide all the necessary care, keeping a few hours of additional home care may afford extra peace of mind that a senior is staying engaged and happy in their new surroundings.

Contemplating the next chapter in your loved one’s story? Click here to find a Bickford Senior Living branch near you and here to learn more about Bickford Home Care.