Assessing older persons' readiness to move to independent congregate living

Older adults are increasingly choosing to relocate to congregate-type independent living communities. Relocation to an independent living community is a late-life transition that is considered a stressful life event. Although relocation to an independent living community offers potential benefits, many older persons have difficulties during this transition, including poor adjustment, loneliness, and depression. All of these are associated with poorer health, higher healthcare costs, increased risk of institutionalization, and increased morbidity and mortality. This article provides guidelines for assessing the readiness of an older person to move to an independent living community and implications for advanced practice nurses whose role encompasses promoting the health and well-being of older adults. Using the assessment guidelines, the advanced practice nurse can identify older persons at risk for difficulty during relocation and intervene with guidance and strategies to promote positive relocation adjustment.