Moving into assisted senior living can be a big change, but there are ways to make the transition easier. Moving into assisted living isn’t easy for anyone, but with a little preparation and planning, you’ll find yourself settling in more quickly than you think. Here are some tips for making this big move go smoothly:
Take Your Time to Decide
Deciding whether or not to move into assisted senior living is a big decision that affects you and your family. There are many factors to consider and should not be rushed into. Moving into assisted senior living is not something that should be taken lightly, especially for someone who has lived in their home for many years.
The decision can be overwhelming, especially when all of your memories are tied up in your house. Take time to explore all of the options available before making any decisions. Move at a comfortable pace, and don’t rush into something if it doesn’t feel right!
You also need to take breaks from the process; sometimes, sitting back will give you clarity on what you want out of life and help identify any problems or concerns that could arise later down the road if moving were decided upon prematurely (or even with little thought).
Keep Some Familiar Things
There are many ways to keep your home feeling like home in assisted senior living. You can bring some of your favorite things, and even keep a few pictures of family and friends. If there is something that reminds you of home, bring it with you! Bring some books from your library or favorite music from the past, as well as foods and drinks that remind you of happy times, spent with friends and loved ones.
Stay Flexible
If you’ve ever lived in a new place and had to find your way around, then you know how stressful it can be. Moving into assisted living is like moving, but even more so. It’s one thing if you go from one apartment in one building to another, or even from your house to another town—but it can be scary when you have to start over completely from scratch with all new neighbors.
You may be worried about who will help you with things like laundry or cleaning up after meals. And what about the cooking? Are there any restaurants nearby if you don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight?
It’s okay if these questions keep running through your head as long as they don’t stop there; ask anyone who lives at home alone, and they’ll tell you that no matter what situation comes up, there’s always someone ready and willing to lend a hand!
Get Involved in Community Activities
One of the many benefits of an assisted living community is its sense of community. This can be especially helpful if you’re feeling lonely or isolated in your home. Getting involved in activities and making connections with other residents can help you feel more connected to your new community, making it easier to adjust and enjoy life there.
If you’re worried about getting involved at first, start small by joining an activity close to home—like book club or art class—and work on expanding from there as you feel more comfortable doing so. If there aren’t any programs available in your community that interest you, ask team members if they have any suggestions for other ways to meet people outside of your home environment (for example, volunteering) and make sure those opportunities are available before moving into one of their communities!
It’s important not just for our health but also because it gives us purpose beyond ourselves, which has been shown over time based on research studies done worldwide over several decades.
Conclusion
Just remember that it’s okay to have some fear about moving into a new place. Don’t let that stop you from making the decision, though! We hope that these tips will help you feel more at ease about your move and make the transition process smoother.
