Steps to Move an Elderly Relative into a CCRC

Are you part of the 12 percent of U.S. parents who also provide care for an elderly parent?

If having an elderly relative living with you isn't an option, or if they need to feel that they're part of a community, a better option might be a continuing care retirement community (or CCRC).

CCRCs allow seniors to choose the level of care they receive while also giving them the opportunity to socialize with people their own age.

If you're considering moving your parent to a CCRC, keep reading. Below is a helpful checklist for moving elderly parents.

Signs Your Parent Needs a CCRC

How do you know if a CCRC is the best option for your elderly relative?

It's not always easy to tell what kind of care your parent needs. If they meet the following criteria, though, a CCRC might be a good fit:

They Love Socializing

If your parent lives alone and seems to be lonely or depressed, moving to a CCRC could be a great option for them.

In a CCRC, they will be surrounded by people their same age who have similar interests. They'll have plenty of opportunities to make friends and participate in fun activities.

They're Ready to Downsize

Has your parent expressed concerns about the size of their home? Have they complained that it's too big for them now that their children have all moved out?

If your parent is ready to downsize to something more manageable, they could likely benefit from living in a CCRC.

They Struggle with Home Maintenance

Your parent might not be ready to acknowledge that they're ready to downsize, but their lifestyle may indicate otherwise.

If they have a hard time keeping their home clean and well-maintained and are relying on you to get things done, a move to a CCRC might be in order.

They No Longer Can/Want to Cook

Not being able to cook for themselves or not wanting to is another sign that your parent could benefit from living in a CCRC. There, their meals will be prepared for them and they won't have to worry about cooking or post-meal cleanup.

They Don't Want to Make Multiple Moves

The great thing about CCRCs is that they provide varying levels of care and allow seniors to age in one place.

Your parent might not require all of a CCRC's medical services at the moment, but they might in the future.

If they live in a CCRC now, they won't have to worry about moving to a different care facility later on.

How do you Get Your Elderly Parents to Move?

If your parent meets any or all of the qualifications listed above, there's a good chance they could benefit from living in a CCRC.

Moving elderly parents out of their home can definitely be a challenge, though. 

The following checklist will make sure they have everything they need and are prepared to move to a CCRC:

Start De-cluttering

The first step to getting your parent ready to downsize and move to a CCRC is to de-clutter their current home.

If they've lived there for quite a while, there's a good chance they've accumulated a lot of stuff they don't need or want.

Make sure you set aside plenty of time to going through your parent's belongings and throwing away or donating everything that they don't want to or can't take with them to the CCRC.

The earlier you start doing this, the better. You'll be surprised at how time-consuming de-cluttering can be.

Gather Important Papers

While you're going through the de-cluttering process, be sure to collect any important papers and set them aside in a folder or binder.

Some examples of important papers you'll want to save include:

• Deeds
• Wills
• Powers of attorney
• Tax records
• Medical records
• Birth certificates
• Passports
• Military records

Keep all these documents in a safe place so that you know where to find them later. You may even want to keep them in a safe deposit box so they don't accidentally get lost or damaged.

Hire a Real Estate Agent

If your parent is planning to sell their home when they move to the CCRC, they're going to need a real estate agent to help them handle the sale.

Hire a real estate agent early on so you have plenty of time to find a buyer for the house.

This is especially important if your parent is planning to use the proceeds from the house to cover the entrance fee for the CCRC.

Get a Moving Estimate

Once the house is de-cluttered, it's time to start planning the move.

It's helpful to get a moving estimate so you and your parent can budget accordingly for the cost of moving their belongings.

If you have the funds to do so, you might also want to hire a senior moving manager at this point.

A senior moving manager will oversee the move and take some of the weight off your (and your parent's) shoulders.

Start Packing

Whether you hire a professional or handle things on your own, the next step is to start packing.

The CCRC you've chosen will likely provide you with a list of what your parent can and cannot bring with them -- be sure to follow these rules.

Clearly label all of your parent's boxes and pack everything with care so that nothing arrives broken or damaged.

Make a Plan for Moving Day

Finally, make a plan for moving day.

What time will the moving truck arrive? Who is going to come over and help your parent get settled? Is there are certain time when you have to arrive at the CCRC to fill out paperwork?

Take all these details into account so your parent's transition can go as smoothly as possible.

Is a CCRC a Good Investment?

Now that you know more about the benefits of moving your parents to a CCRC, as well as how to know when it's time to consider making the move, it's time to start looking for the right CCRC for them.

Be sure to keep this checklist for moving elderly parents handy, too. It'll make the transition much smoother and help them to settle into their new residence with ease.

If you need help finding a CCRC in your parent's area, we can help. Check out our free search tool today to learn about communities near you that fit your parent's specific needs and preferences.