Transitioning to Long-Term Care
July 18, 2025 | Assisted Living, Health & Wellness, Kline Galland Home
Someone turning 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing long-term services in their future. Making the decision to move to a long-term care facility is never easy. It can bring up a mix of emotions – relief, uncertainty, sadness, and even hope. Whether you’re helping a loved one find a safer, more supportive living environment, or making the move yourself, this life change deserves time, understanding, and support.
At Kline Galland, we’ve walked beside hundreds of families as they take this step. And one thing is always true: The transition becomes smoother when you know what to expect and take small, thoughtful steps to prepare. Below are seven tips to help make the journey into long-term care more comfortable – for both seniors and their families.
- Start with honest conversations. Change is hard, especially when it means leaving a beloved home. It’s important to talk early and openly about the move: what it means, what the new setting will be like, and what fears or hopes may be coming up.
Why it helps: Open communication builds trust and reduces uncertainty for everyone involved.
What it might look like: A father-daughter duo tour the facility and choose his new room together. Both feel more in control and less anxious.
- Visit the new community before the move. If possible, schedule visits to the long-term care facility. Attend a meal, sit in on a music program, or walk the halls to get a realistic idea of what daily life feels like.
Why it helps: Knowing friendly faces and familiar spaces on move-in day can make a big difference.
What it might look like: A future resident joins a painting class during her pre-move visit, making a friend she can look forward to seeing again.
- Personalize the living space. Bring meaningful items from home—photos, a favorite chair, a treasured quilt. These comforts can turn a new room into a familiar retreat.
Why it helps: Personal items foster a sense of identity and continuity, especially during times of change.
What it might look like: A new resident brings her knitting basket and a photo collage from her kitchen wall. These small touches ground her in the new space.
- Create a moving day plan. Moving can feel overwhelming, but a plan helps everyone stay focused and calm. Break the process into steps: packing, transport, setup, and celebration for a comforting first day.
Why it helps: A clear, calm plan reduces stress and allows time for connection.
What it might look like: A family creates a playlist of their loved one’s favorite songs to play during the move-in process. It keeps spirits up and sets a positive tone.
- Maintain routines when possible. Familiar habits like morning coffee, afternoon prayer, or Sunday phone calls can offer stability in a new setting.
Why it helps: Especially in the early days of adjustment, typical schedules and established practices can be reassuring and reaffirming.
What it might look like: A resident continues to have Monday morning check-ins with her son. If they don’t meet in person, the staff helps facilitate video calls.
- Join in the social activities. Loneliness for older adults is a concern, but long-term care offers daily opportunities for connection. Support your loved one – or yourself – in finding new ways to engage with others.
Why it helps: Social ties improve emotional well-being, provide purpose, and enhance quality of life.
What it might look like: A new resident hesitant to join group activities starts by attending just one weekly movie night. Over time, he makes new friends and attends more events.
- Stay involved. Moving doesn’t mean saying goodbye. Families, friends, and loved ones are still an essential part of care, whether through visits, calls, or attending special events.
Why it helps: Ongoing connection reassures everyone that although the location has changed, emotional bonds have not.
What it might look like: One family picks up their mother every Saturday morning to attend Shabbat services and then enjoy lunch together.
Transitions take time, and it’s normal to have questions along the way. With the right support, long-term care can open the door to greater safety, renewed social connections, and peace of mind for everyone involved.
If you’re starting to explore options or planning for the future, we invite you to connect with our team. Together, we can make moving forward a choice of comfort, confidence, and community.
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Sources: ACL; OPM; NYT; The Washington Post; AARP
