Hello, I am new here. My 86 year old Mom has been living alone since Dad passed away 3 years ago, still in the big old colonial that we all grew up in. Her health is failing (rheumatoid arthritis along with osteo and in chronic severe pain due to degenerative disc disease) and she should not be alone. She has fought us tooth and nail about going into an anssisted living facility. I do all of her shopping, much of the cleaning and house upkeep (along with my sweet husband who is a great mr. fixit!) and I am still working fulltime. We are 51 and still both working...which I am hoping to change soon. We have two children, the younger being a special needs child. My sister and I are the only children left after losing my brother to leukemia. We are burnt out. Mom finally decided last week that she wants to try assisted living!!!!! This is the Christmas miracle of 2006! We have found a wonderful facility and will be moving her in in mid January. I pray that this works for all concerned. Any tips on how to transition her in the best way ?