The decision to move a loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility is stressful. Breaking down the change into easy-to-follow steps will ease the stress for everyone involved. Below are several tips to get started on the transition, including how to find a personal storage facility for their belongings.

How to Help a Family Member Transition to a Nursing Home

1. Find the Right Fit

Your aging loved one should feel involved in the decision to enter a nursing home or long-term care facility. If they feel autonomy over the decision, they’ll likely be happier in whatever facility they live. You should visit multiple nursing homes before choosing the right one. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, observe the care of current residents and patients, and ask about services including meals, rehabilitation assistance, and social activities.

2. Store Large Items

After finding the right nursing home, clearing out your loved one’s home is challenging. Involve them in the decision and sort items appropriately. When downsizing, ask your loved one if they want to throw or give away an object, move it into storage, or take it with them.

Storage rentals are affordable and accessible when you need to get items. Storage units range in size, price, and can be climate-controlled. A climate-controlled storage unit prevents warping, cracking, and splitting of wood furniture as well as mold and mildew.

3. Document Storage Possessions

Storage units can also keep items like photographs in excellent condition. Determining what to put in personal storage is crucial. Storage professionals recommend documenting what you store with an itemized inventory list so that your loved one has easy access to necessary items.

4. Personalize the Space

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities typically allow residents to bring small decor pieces, blankets, personal items, and other belongings that help them feel at home. As a caregiver, make sure your loved one has everything that will make them feel comfortable and at ease.

If you’re looking for personal storage for your aging loved one in the Elizabethtown, KY, area, or the surrounding communities, let the professionals at Heartland Self Storage help you store those items. They offer climate-controlled storage, commercial storage, and personal storage, among other options. To learn more, call (270) 737-2334. See a list of unit sizes and find out about climate-controlled options online.