When making the decision to move either yourself or your loved one into senior living, there’s a lot you have to consider. It can be a challenging process, but the stress can be eased by taking certain steps to ensure a smooth as possible transition. Here are our top 5 tips for making the transition to senior living.
1. Do Your Research
There are many factors to consider when looking for senior living communities. Do they offer the care services that you or your loved one require? What kind of activities do they offer? Is there onsite medical care? Start by researching the facilities in your area by reading reviews and testimonials. Make sure you go on a tour of the units and talk to the staff and residents to understand what daily life is like and see if it meets all of your needs. Make an informed decision, and choose the community that feels like the best fit for you.
2. Downsize Current Living Space
One of the most difficult parts of moving to senior living can be the move from a larger home into a smaller space. By starting the process early, it can help to decrease the amount of stress that is involved in the process. Figure out which items will be necessary for the new space, and which can be either donated, discarded, or placed in storage.
3. Make The New Living Space Feel Like Home
It’s important to make the new living space feel like home. By filling the unfamiliar space with familiar items, it can quickly start to make the space more comfortable and welcoming. Incorporate favorite colors, hang up photographs and rearrange the furniture match as closely as possible to former living spaces. Even the smallest touches can bring immense comfort.
4. Get Involved In Activities
Many senior living communities offer a wide variety of events and programs to take part in. Getting involved in these activities early on can not only help with socialization and meeting new friends, but can help create a daily routine as well. Here at Grace Pointe, we make sure there are always fun and engaging activities happening and have a little something for everyone!
5. Maintain Relationships & Connections
Just because the move has been made to senior living doesn’t mean daily connections need to be lost. Keep up weekly coffee dates, book clubs, etc. and invite your friends to visit here using your common areas. By maintaining these social relationships, daily life can feel more normal in the new living community.
We know it can be a difficult transition when moving to senior living, but by keeping life as normal as possible, and making sure daily routines are followed, the new living space should start to feel like home soon.
Ready to start learning more about the community at Grace Pointe? Request a tour today and let us answer any questions or concerns that you may have.
