Many families delay a move to senior living because they’re unsure how to broach the topic. However, avoiding the conversation about senior living also delays opportunities for daily support and meaningful social connections. It’s important to remember that not making a decision together is a decision in itself.
We’re here to support you during what we know can be an emotional process, helping you focus every step of your senior living search on the best possible outcome for your parent. You don’t have to start this process alone.
For more information, our caregiver resources are specifically designed for navigating your senior living search, supporting your parent’s transition, and continuing to play an active role in their lives without the stress of caregiving.
In this guide, we'll discuss:
Finding Support as a Family
As the child of an older adult, you’re likely already taking on some caregiving responsibilities to support your parent. According to the AARP, one in every four adults is a caregiver, and more than 29 percent of Americans are sandwich-generation caregivers, meaning they support both children and adults in their lives.
If you’re feeling mental, emotional, and even physical strain, senior living offers an opportunity for relief. You have the power to help your family prepare for a positive, comfortable move while alleviating your own caregiving burden—so you can return to just being your parent’s child again.
How Community Shapes Your Parent’s Senior Living Experience
It’s natural for both you and your parent to feel a mix of emotions before, during, and after the move to senior living. However, exploring community life can help you both feel supported, understood, and guided as you navigate this journey together. Knowledge that leads to action is power.
Meet Friendly Staff Members
To find the right senior living residence for your parent, get to know the community. Begin by meeting with the support team, including 24/7 on-site staff, nurses, and program staff. These team members will play a vital role in your parent’s wellness and sense of belonging.
Browse a Full Calendar of Events
Help your parent feel connected with opportunities to socialize. Look through the monthly calendar together to find programs and events that interest them, such as educational workshops or creative classes. Even after move-in day, this gives you and other family members opportunities to visit your parent, participate in programs, and continue to make cherished memories together.
Explore Services and Amenities
Senior living communities offer endless opportunities to stay active and build connections through shared services and amenities. Whether it’s the walking paths or the restaurant-style dining room, encourage your family member to explore their new surroundings at their own pace.
Foster Early Connections
Help your parent forge new relationships in those early days. This can be as simple as opening their apartment door to welcome neighbors or joining a shared meal. Your community team should be happy to help make introductions with residents who have shared interests. You can also ask if your community has a resident ambassador who can help your mom or dad get acclimated in these early days.
Participate in Wellness Checks
During the first week, you and your parent can expect to meet with your care team for an initial wellness check. Routine wellness checks help customize routines and care to their specific interests.
Unsure exactly what level of support best suits your mom or dad? A great place to start is by considering their activities of daily living (ADLs). These are routine tasks as part of everyday life, such as bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, that help us move throughout our day with ease.
This ADL/IADL assessment helps you evaluate exactly where support is needed today and better anticipate the kind of support that may be needed in the future.
What to Expect During the Move-In Process
Moving to a senior living community is the beginning of a supportive new chapter. The transition should feel as seamless as possible so you and your family member can focus on the excitement of new beginnings.
While it’s natural to have questions about what comes next, the right resources can support a seamless move-in experience. This Moving to Senior Living Checklist is designed to help you manage the details and make sure you feel prepared as you transition to senior living.
Double-click the checklist to zoom in on the section you want to read. We encourage you to print this resource out and check off each step as you progress through the moving process.
Preparing for Day One
Focus on creating a sense of familiarity to help your family member feel at home in their new residence.
- Place a favorite photo or decoration on the door to help your family member easily identify their new apartment.
- Enjoy a shared meal in the dining area, stroll through common spaces, or walk along the outdoor paths to build comfort with the surroundings.
- Introduce yourselves to neighbors and meet with a resident ambassador—a current resident who can offer peer support during the transition.
- Introduce your family member to the 24/7 on-site staff and care team so they see familiar, friendly faces from the very first day.
Moving Day Tips
Thoughtful planning helps you focus on the emotions of the day rather than the logistics. "Move-in day is a special time—slow down and enjoy it," Molly Rinderer, Cedarhurst director of clinical operations, says.
- If possible, get access to the residence a few days early. Arranging furniture and hanging photos before your mom or dad arrives can reduce moving day stress and create a feeling of belonging.
- To assist with medication, your community may require a physician’s order and a signed medication list that accurately reflects current home routines.
- Provide copies of power of attorney paperwork and any advance directives or code status forms to ensure
Memory Care Support
Every resident in memory care adjusts at their own pace. Some thrive with frequent family visits right away, whereas others benefit from some space to get acquainted with their new environment and care team. The community team will work closely with you to determine the best approach for your family member, ensuring they feel loved and supported every step of the way.
How Caregivers Can Stay Involved at Cedarhurst Senior Living Communities
Family members are always welcome at Cedarhurst Senior Living, and there are a number of ways you can stay involved in community life.
We understand that the first few nights in the community are an adjustment for your parent. That’s why we offer the Pair to Prepare® program to help. With Pair to Prepare®, a family member is invited to stay with a new resident during the initial transition. This unique initiative helps your parent feel settled and secure while you gain firsthand insights into their new daily routine.
After those first few days, you are welcome to visit anytime and join us for lunch or special family events. We also encourage you to use tools like our Caremerge app to stay updated on your parent's daily life and care. We prioritize transparent, frequent dialogue to ensure you always have reassurance.
Exploring senior living options for your family member can feel overwhelming, and sifting through resources during an emotional time is often the hardest part of the journey. With the right resources in hand, you and your family will have the freedom to choose the path that makes the most sense for your circumstances.
As you take these steps together as a family, download our "Moving to Senior Living" guide to track your progress.
This post was originally published in May 2022 and updated on March 2026.
Contributors
Molly Rinderer is Cedarhurst Senior Living’s Director of Clinical Operations. With more than 10 years of experience in the senior living industry, Molly oversees Cedarhurst’s Regional Nursing Team and provides support to standardize the operations of clinical teams.
Cassidy Johnson is Manager of Clinical Operations at Cedarhurst Senior Living. In her role, Cassidy works with families directly to improve resident satisfaction in Cedarhurst communities and supports regional nursing teams with care and compliance needs.
