Elderly residents working together in a care facility garden

Easing the Move: How to Smooth Transitions for Seniors into Long-Term Care

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover key factors that ease relocation stress and cultivate supportive environments for elderly individuals entering long-term care facilities."

Relocating to a long-term care facility marks a significant turning point in an older adult's life. This transition involves adapting to a new environment and lifestyle, and comes with a unique set of challenges. Understanding the factors that either ease or complicate this transition is crucial for families, caregivers, and the facilities themselves.

Recognizing the need for more insights, a recent systematic review examined the experiences of older adults, their families, and care staff during the relocation process. The goal was to identify specific elements that could inform better practices and interventions.

This article simplifies the findings of that comprehensive review, providing actionable takeaways for anyone involved in long-term care transitions. By understanding these factors, we can work together to create more supportive and nurturing environments for our loved ones.

Unlocking a Smoother Transition: Key Factors at Play

Elderly residents working together in a care facility garden

The systematic review explored a wide range of research to pinpoint what helps or hinders older adults when moving into long-term care. The synthesis revealed four key themes that significantly influence this transition:

These four areas include personal resilience, interpersonal connections, a sense of 'home,' and organizational culture. These themes incorporate a variety of specific elements – some that help ease the move, and others that make it more difficult:

Resilience of the Older Person: An individual's ability to adapt and make sense of their new environment. Factors like self-efficacy, a positive personal philosophy, and coping strategies play a vital role.
Interpersonal Connections and Relationships: The importance of relationships with co-residents, staff, and family. Supportive connections foster a sense of belonging and well-being, while isolation can hinder the transition.
"This is My New Home": Creating a sense of belonging and personal space within the facility. The ability to personalize their environment and maintain a sense of self-identity is crucial for residents.
The Care Facility as an Organization: The facility's culture, policies, and practices significantly impact the transition experience. A supportive and person-centered environment fosters a smoother adjustment.

It's important to remember that these factors are often interconnected. For example, a facility that promotes social interaction and provides opportunities for residents to personalize their spaces is directly supporting both interpersonal connections and a sense of home.

Creating a Caring Culture: Next Steps for a Positive Transition

Ultimately, a successful transition into long-term care depends on creating a caring and supportive culture within the facility. This involves:

By focusing on these key areas, care facilities can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for older adults, easing their transition and fostering a greater sense of well-being. Continued research into organizational culture and its impact on residents is essential for ongoing improvements in long-term care.

This is crucial, as most older adults are in their twilight years.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/hsc.12647, Alternate LINK

Title: Facilitators And Inhibitors Of Transition For Older People Who Have Relocated To A Long‐Term Care Facility: A Systematic Review

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Health & Social Care in the Community

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Joanne M. Fitzpatrick, Vasiliki Tzouvara

Published: 2018-09-21

Everything You Need To Know

What are the most important factors that help seniors adjust to moving into long-term care?

Moving to a long-term care facility involves significant adjustments. A recent systematic review highlights four key interconnected themes influencing this transition: "Resilience of the Older Person," focusing on adaptability and coping; "Interpersonal Connections and Relationships," emphasizing supportive bonds; "This is My New Home," underscoring the importance of personalization and belonging; and "The Care Facility as an Organization," which emphasizes the facility's supportive culture. Overlooking any of these aspects can significantly hinder the adjustment process for seniors.

Why is 'Resilience of the Older Person' so important when moving into long-term care?

The resilience of the older person plays a vital role in adjusting to long-term care. This involves an individual's ability to adapt and find meaning in their new surroundings. Key components of resilience include self-efficacy, a positive personal philosophy, and effective coping strategies. Without resilience, older adults may struggle to accept their new living situation, potentially leading to feelings of helplessness or isolation. Facilities should encourage and support residents in maintaining their resilience through personalized care plans and activities that promote a sense of purpose.

How do relationships and connections with others impact a senior's move to long-term care?

Interpersonal connections significantly impact a senior's transition to long-term care. Strong relationships with fellow residents, care staff, and family members foster a sense of belonging and enhance overall well-being. Isolation, on the other hand, can impede adaptation and lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Facilities can actively promote interpersonal connections through social activities, group therapies, and encouraging family involvement.

What does it mean to create 'This is My New Home' in a long-term care setting, and why is it important?

Creating a sense of 'home' is essential for seniors transitioning into long-term care. This involves fostering a sense of belonging and allowing residents to personalize their living spaces to reflect their identities and preferences. When residents can personalize their environment and maintain a sense of self-identity, they are more likely to feel comfortable and secure in their new surroundings. Facilities should encourage residents to bring personal belongings and decorate their rooms to promote this sense of ownership and familiarity. Additionally, facilities can facilitate a sense of 'home' through environmental design such as dedicated spaces for socialisation, quiet time and areas to connect with nature.

In what ways does the culture and environment of a care facility affect a senior's ability to transition smoothly?

A care facility's culture, policies, and practices play a crucial role in shaping a senior's transition experience. A supportive and person-centered environment fosters a smoother adjustment, while a rigid or impersonal atmosphere can hinder the process. The organizational culture of the care facility is a key factor in the transition. This involves providing a safe, clean, and comfortable environment, and engaging in person-centered care. This could include activities to promote engagement. Facilities should prioritize open communication, respect individual preferences, and involve residents in decision-making to promote a positive culture of care.