How to make the transition to senior living
Moving to a new home is a chore. But that task is more exciting and bearable when you are young and moving because of a new job, new baby on the way or another happy change in life. However, when an older person is downsizing because their children, and sometimes their spouse, are no longer living with them — and they are not looking forward to a new job or adventure — the transition can be tougher.
“Many family members ask me, as their parents age, if they should encourage them to move into a condominium or apartment from their longtime home so that the eventual move to senior living is easier,” said Shelly Barros, director of sales and marketing for Travanse in Grayslake. “And I tell them, no. Don't make them move more than once unless it is their idea.”
Travanse is a 104-apartment community that opened three years ago. It offers assisted living and memory care apartments that are rented with no initial buy-in. Nursing care is available 24/7 and in-house services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, a hydrotherapy spa and massages are all offered to those who need or wish them. One-month respite stays are also available to those who want to try out life at Travanse before making the decision to move or for those whose relatives go on vacation and they need a place to stay during that absence.
“Residents here sign a one-year lease and pay a monthly rental fee, which makes it easy and convenient. If someone dies, the lease is dissolved once the apartment is completely vacated,” Barros said. “We are licensed as an assisted living and memory care facility, but we encourage people who know that their condition is declining to move in and become comfortable here before they really need assisted living. We will offer increasing services as time progresses. Don't wait for a catastrophe to happen to make the move. Let your loved one become comfortable in their new home before something happens.”
Travanse also offers memory care day services for those still living with their families.
“We offer this program to introduce people to our facilities and services and help them become familiar with our offerings here before they make a permanent move. We also offer it to let their caregivers earn a living or have some respite time to ease their own social isolation,” Barros added.
“For the Alzheimer's patient, it allows them to engage with their peers, not just caregivers, and take part in meaningful activities to stimulate their minds and bodies. It is a win-win situation for both the family members and the patient,” she said.
Every day in the day care program includes a variety of activities, snacks, lunch and a nap. Supervision is offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and it makes the eventual transition to the Travanse memory care unit much easier for all concerned.
The Garlands in Barrington is a 55-plus full continuum of care facility offering independent living, assisted living and memory care. Nursing care and rehabilitation services are offered to established residents only. The transition philosophy there is similar.
“Over the 17 years that we have been open, I have heard many members say that they wished they had moved here right after they sold their longtime home instead of downsizing somewhere else first,” said Dawn Kempf, vice president of sales, marketing and healthcare.
“It really helps the adjustment when people can move here when they are still well enough to get to know their neighbors and enjoy the programming. They all also express relief that they no longer have to worry about maintaining a home,” she added.
“Most new residents come to The Garlands' independent living condominiums where they can enjoy all of the activities and services without going outside in the winter. But some do choose one of our 26 villas with a two-car garage,” Kempf said.
They, too, offer a short one- or two-night “Staycation” to try out The Garlands if the prospective residents are down to one or two choices for a move. During that short stay, prospective residents are encouraged to try a fitness class, lecture and other activities, as well as enjoy the daily “happy hour” and some meals.
“We tell people that when they are considering a move to a senior community, they should visit many communities and talk to their representatives about what is offered,” Kempf said. “We, for instance, help prospective clients with their move by working with a Realtor and helping them get their home ready to sell.
“We began this program when we noticed that some people who were very excited about The Garlands when they toured just never contacted us again. We discovered that they were just overwhelmed with the idea of selling their home and filled with anxiety about getting ready to move. So, we came up with this program to help them with that task.
“Our move-in coordinator will oversee the sale of their home and help them find services to handle the cleaning out of their current home, the sale of antiques, the donation of excess furniture and so forth,” Kempf explained. “Not everyone has children who will help with that and some simply don't want to ask their relatives for that kind of help, so we came up with this program. It has been very successful.”