When deciding to move a senior parent or loved one into assisted or senior living in Santa Clarita, it’s a critical matter to begin the process of selecting a community earlier rather than later, according to Margie Veis, executive director of Oakmont of Santa Clarita.

Veis noted if an adult child waits until a parent shows significant telltale signs that they are no longer capable of caring for themselves, the ideal time has already passed. In addition, making the transition a gradual process may help make the change involved less stressful for everyone involved.

For those who recognize the move to assisted living is coming, Veis suggests doing research ahead of time.

Placing a parent in a senior living community like Oakmont of Santa Clarita is a big life decision that involves a rather large amount of planning beforehand.

Related: When It’s Time To Make The Move To Assisted Living

“We’re all going to go down this road if we have parents that are still living,” Veis said. “That’s just part of life.”

Veis, who recognizes that this may be a difficult time for senior loved ones, emphasizes that, “You’re going to get every argument and obstacle”, including defenses like, “I don’t want to leave my home, I’m fine.”

Rather than waiting for a situation — such as a fall or an illness — to arise, Veis stresses the importance of being proactive.

If committing to an assisted living community is not a necessary immediate action, communities likes Oakmont of Santa Clarita offer waiting lists for potential future residents to eliminate the stress of finding a home last minute.

“It’s planting the seed, it’s becoming educated, it’s being prepared for when it happens,” Veis said.

Resistance can usually be expected, especially if the decision to move a senior loved one into assisted living is an unexpected one.

‘We’ve had adult children that are getting ready to move a parent in and the parent refuses,” Veis said, “that might happen, but it would have been a gradual process if we would have done the research, presented it when they have control and choice.”

Communication is a key element, and Veis illustrates the importance of preparing parents prior to visiting senior living options.

“It’s okay to say, ‘I’m not ready now, it’s not time now.’ But we want you to see it so if you ever need it, it’s not going to be scary to you. You’re going to know what it is,” she said.

Veis added that Oakmont of Santa Clarita offers a wonderful alternative for senior citizens that want to be taken care of and not have to worry about anything other than what their next recreation is going to be.

Oakmont is a luxury senior living community in Santa Clarita located on seven acres of land on Newhall Ranch Road. Recently opened in January 2016, Oakmont of Santa Clarita is comprised of 80 pet-friendly apartment units, with both independent and assisted living options available. Residents can enjoy five star amenities like a salon & day spa, movie theater, fitness center, restaurant-style dining, gardens and walking paths, pet park, wellness center and more. A separate wing of the community, called Traditions Memory Care, is dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Oakmont of Santa Clarita

28650 Newhall Ranch Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

(661) 347-0051