734-405-7500
At any stage of life, making a transition can be difficult. Entering a season of change requires tenacity and patience, which can sometimes be hard to muster in the face of something so new or scary. Moving to a senior living community is no exception, whether you’re the senior or the caregiver.
However, take solace in knowing these feelings are completely normal and that you’re not alone. It’s easy for the apprehension or the guilt to take root, but there are some steps that you can take to alleviate these emotions and find a healthier way to manage and cope with the transition.
Make the Most of Your Tour
A website and pictures don’t do a facility justice. There is nothing that can equate to actually getting on-site and seeing it for yourself. And you don’t have to just stop at one! Just like anything else in life, such as touring colleges or checking out different neighborhoods when buying a home, you don’t have to settle for the first one you see. In fact, visiting multiple will help lay some groundwork and give you a base.
Be sure to ask questions and keep notes about the various facilities that you visit. What did you like? What didn’t you like? What amenities did one feature that the other didn’t? This will make it much easier to compare and contrast. Another helpful tip would be to create a list of pros and cons after the fact to really help narrow down your search.
Beginning the Process
Once you have your senior living community picked out, it’s time for the next step – to make the move! Moving day is a big deal and will require some thoughtful planning to curb some of the stress and chaos. Maintaining a positive outlook is essential, however, so is taking some steps to be prepared. Here are a few practical tips to keep the big day rolling smoothly!
Get plenty of rest!
This might seem a bit silly to say, as it probably seems obvious, but there is no quicker way to make a task harder than being exhausted before doing it. To feel like you really have a grasp on the day ahead, try to get some quality shut-eye the night prior. You’ll have a lot on your mind, so try to get to bed earlier if you can to help accommodate any restlessness.
Be mindful of your attire!
Again, this may seem basic in the grand scheme of things, but wearing something comfortable and athletic will help a lot. Try a good set of sneakers and sweats or jeans appropriate to the weather.
Prepare a box marked ‘essentials’!
There are going to be a few items that you will need right away in the move, such as toiletries, medications, or even a phone or tablet charger. Having this box marked appropriately and packed on top allows for easy access. It will take a few days to get everything perfectly settled and squared away, so minimizing any sort of disorientation right out of the gate will help keep spirits high.
Take a Moment for Closure
This last tip is incredibly important, as goodbyes are always hard. No matter how long you have lived in a home, leaving it behind is always hard. If the home is staying in the family, make sure to reassure your senior that they are always welcome to come back and visit. But no matter what, point out that a lot of good memories are ahead, waiting to be made at their new home.
Settling In
After all the boxes have been moved in and squared away, it’s time to truly begin the new journey. While settling in takes time, and nothing like that happens overnight, there are a few practical things one can do to help speed up the process a little bit.
A Familiar Layout
Whether your room or apartment came furnished, or you brought some things from home, getting things arranged in a familiar pattern or layout will go a long way. For example, if they are used to putting their shoes under their bed or keeping the remote in a certain spot, make sure to take time to mirror those small things from their previous home.
A Touch of Home
Keeping the space personalized will certainly aid in keeping it homey and cozy feeling. Sometimes, people worry that their space in a senior living community will feel clinical or cold. Regardless of how well decorated the room or apartment comes in advance, nothing helps more than having some familiar items. Whether that’s a favorite blanket or pillow, or family photos and albums, or even familiar artwork, these small touches will really spruce up the space and provide some comfort and ease.
Invite People Over
After you’ve got the space the way you like it, be sure to invite over some family and friends. They would love to see the new place and having some recognizable and friendly faces around is a sure-fire way to begin to feel at home. Making memories in your new home is so important, and quality time together is valuable no matter where you are.
Join the Community
While it might be tempting to stay in your room or apartment at first, branching out and making friends with other seniors in the community will put you on the fast track to feeling connected and building new, lasting relationships. Whether this is participating in holiday celebrations or birthday parties, or taking a class and exploring a new hobby, or simply settling down to watch a film or sporting event on TV, you are bound to meet someone with whom you can share a bond.
No matter what this transition looks like for you and your loved one, remember that staff is there to help to provide round-the-clock support and advice. While no big life transition is easy, taking some proper steps to alleviate any sort of anxiety is always a good thing. Remember to be open, be honest, and communicate all along the way.
