Moving into assisted living is a big change for anyone. New rooms, new routines, new people, and often a new way of handling medications. If your parent takes Ozempic or another GLP-1, a once-a-week injection is exactly the kind of thing that can slip through the cracks during the move.<\/p>\n
Here is how to make the handover safe and keep the treatment working in the new setting.<\/p>\n
Communities differ in how they manage injectable medications, and the rules that apply vary by state. Some have nurses who give injections. Some help residents give their own. Some expect residents or families to manage it independently. Ask before move-in day:<\/p>\n
Give the community a one-page summary, and keep a copy yourself:<\/p>\n
The weekly day is the detail most likely to get lost. Write it in large letters.<\/p>\n
Tell your parent’s prescriber about the move and the new address. Ask whether anything about the plan should change, such as how often to check blood sugar or weight, and who in the community they should call with questions.<\/p>\n
Assisted living usually means set mealtimes in a shared dining room, with portions designed for an average appetite. On Ozempic, your parent may manage only part of a plate. That is fine, as long as they are getting enough overall, especially protein.<\/p>\n
Ask whether the kitchen can offer smaller portions, protein-rich options, or snacks between meals. If there is a dietitian, ask them to review your parent’s needs.<\/p>\n
A move, a new routine, and a medication that reduces appetite can together lead to under-eating without anyone noticing. Ask the staff to weigh your parent regularly and tell you about significant changes. Our guide on tracking your progress<\/a> covers simple ways to keep a record.<\/p>\n Watch for the signs of under-eating: persistent tiredness, feeling cold, hair shedding, dizziness on standing, losing strength, and losing weight faster than intended.<\/p>\n Some of the weight lost on these medications is lean tissue. A 2024 review of lean body mass changes with GLP-1 based therapies found that the proportion of total weight loss made up by lean tissue varied widely across studies. For older adults, strength is what keeps them steady on their feet.<\/p>\n Encourage your parent to join the community’s exercise classes, walking groups, or physical therapy, and to eat protein at every meal. Ask staff about fall precautions, especially at night.<\/p>\n The usual injection sites are the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm. Whoever gives the injection should rotate sites. Our guide on GLP-1 injection sites<\/a> covers each one, and is worth sharing with staff if they are new to this medication.<\/p>\n Moving into assisted living does not mean giving up control. Your parent can still ask questions, raise concerns about side effects, and make decisions with their prescriber about their treatment. Include them in every conversation about it.<\/p>\nProtect muscle and prevent falls<\/h2>\n
Injection sites and comfort<\/h2>\n
Your parent still decides<\/h2>\n
If your parent is new to Ozempic<\/h2>\n