Life Transitions & Assisted Living Adjustment in Columbus, OH
Gentle, practical support for older adults and families navigating moves to assisted living—counseling, caregiver guidance, medication review, and coordinated care to ease the change.
Provider: Joshua Ndematebem, PMHNP-BC — Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Contact & Location
Address: 3184 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43204
Phone: 614-655-4524
Email: info@arizonwellness.com
What Are Life Transitions?
Life transitions include retirement, changes in health or mobility, bereavement, downsizing, and moving to assisted living. These shifts can bring opportunity and community—but also stress, grief, sleep changes, and family conflict. With compassionate planning and skills, most people adapt well.
Focus: Moving Into Assisted Living
- Pre-move planning: routines, meaningful activities, room setup with familiar items
- Medication review: simplify regimens, assess interactions and side effects
- Adjustment counseling: grief and identity, independence vs. support, community engagement
- Sleep & anxiety support: CBT-I–informed strategies, pacing, and gentle exposure to new settings
- Care coordination: collaborate with facility nursing/med teams and primary care (with consent)
Safety — Sudden confusion, chest pain, falls, or severe shortness of breath require urgent medical care—call 911.
Common Challenges & How We Help
- Loneliness or loss of independence: build daily social and purpose routines
- Worry, depression, or irritability: brief CBT, mindfulness, behavioral activation
- Family stress: communication tools, boundary setting, caregiver self-care
- Medical changes: monitor appetite, sleep, pain; coordinate labs and PCP follow-up
Our approach centers dignity, choice, and culturally sensitive support.
Evaluation: How We Personalize Care
- Strengths-based interview with older adult and family (as desired)
- Screening for anxiety, depression, grief, sleep issues, and cognitive concerns
- Medication and medical review; fall and safety considerations
- Collaborative goals and timeline—pre-move, move week, and first 90 days
Clear assessment informs a practical, stepwise plan with early wins and steady follow-through.
Transition Support at Arizon Wellness
Brief Therapy & Skills
CBT and problem-solving therapy for worry, low mood, and adjustment; mindfulness and grounding; activation plans for connection and purpose.
Medication Management (When Indicated)
Targeted options for anxiety, depression, or sleep after non-medication strategies are in place. We use the lowest effective doses and monitor for interactions and fall risk.
Caregiver Coaching
Communication frameworks, boundary setting, shared decision-making, and resources for respite and support groups.
Coordination & Telehealth
With consent, we communicate with facility staff and primary care. Telehealth is available for pre-move visits and early post-move check-ins.
Request an AppointmentWhen to Seek Help
- Persistent anxiety, sadness, irritability, or sleep disturbance
- Isolation, loss of interest, or difficulty joining activities
- Medication confusion, poor appetite, or unsteady gait
- Family conflict or caregiver burnout
If there are urgent safety concerns (falls with head injury, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or suicidal thoughts), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you support moves to assisted living?
Pre-move planning, counseling, medication review, routine building, and collaboration with facility staff with your consent—plus telehealth follow-ups to ease the transition.
Do you help caregivers?
Yes—education, communication tools, boundary setting, and resources for respite and support groups.
Are medications always needed?
No. We start with non-medication strategies. When symptoms remain impairing, we discuss careful, low-dose options and monitor closely.
Do you coordinate with facility staff?
With permission, we coordinate with nursing/medication staff, social work, and primary care to align routines, medications, and safety.
Is telehealth available?
Yes—especially useful for pre-move planning and post-move check-ins.
