Tips for Transitioning to Senior Living
Helping ease your transition
As you consider a move to senior retirement living, you may, understandably, experience emotions ranging from excitement, anticipation, apprehension, and concern. But the more prepared you are during the process and aware of what to expect, the easier this transition will be. Below are four tips that may help guide you during this important next step in your life.
1. Talk sooner, not later
Families often begin seeking senior living options following some sort of life-changing event. By expressing your retirement preferences, visiting potential options with family or friends, and keeping the lines of communication open, you will be much more prepared to handle the transition process.
2. Develop a plan
Before visiting any senior living communities, determine what you require and desire in a retirement community. What are your physical and emotional needs? How do you envision your retirement? Answering these key questions will help you narrow your focus to find the senior living community that will allow you to live the lifestyle you desire while providing the resources necessary to meet your needs.
3. Explore your options
If possible, visit or begin communication with a variety of senior living options in your desired location, which will help you develop a feel for the ones that best fit your budget and your needs. Find out what levels of care and amenities are offered at each community and if Home Care is available should you need it in the future. Once you’ve narrowed your choices to a few communities that interest you, ask about complimentary overnight or extended trial stays. Experiencing the lifestyle first-hand will make the transition much easier. Be sure to talk with other residents during your stay or visits to learn about their experiences. This will also allow you to sample the food and participate in any community activities.
4. Build Financial Plan
Another crucial step in the transition process to senior living is to ensure you’ve done your financial homework. Consider securing a financial expert if you have any concerns or questions about budgeting for your future.
If you will be receiving financial assistance from loved ones, be sure to talk openly with them to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding contributions, costs and budgets. Having all interested parties comfortable with the financial arrangement can help alleviate unnecessary stress later on.
DURING YOUR MOVE
Start by creating a list of items you must bring to live comfortably, items you desire to have with you, and items you can do without.
Measure each room in your new living space and select furniture pieces that will best fit the space. (In the “Our Communities” section of this website, click on your community and you’ll find floor plans to help you prepare.)
Set small goals, packing one room at a time. Start in one room and finish packing it before moving onto another room. You’ll feel a sense of progress, and will be sure not to miss anything. You may also elect to use the services of a professional downsizing/moving expert, who can help with this process.
Local senior moving resources are also available. They’ll reduce your stress, and make the move much easier. Ask the Holiday Retirement community you’re moving into, the local Chamber of Commerce, or a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), for a list of local moving resources that specialize or have experience working with seniors.
Set up the living space in your Holiday Retirement apartment as close to the way it was in your previous home, starting with the bedroom and unpacking clothing first. (Take photos of each room before packing, and take the photos with you as a guide for unpacking.)
We thoroughly test the call system and hand rails in each apartment prior to a resident moving in, but be sure to test them yourself as well.
Be sure you know how to operate all the necessities (call system, telephone, thermostat, kitchen appliances, sink, shower, door locks, elevator, etc). If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Community Managers.
It is not required, but for peace-of-mind, you may opt to purchase renter’s insurance to protect your personal belongings. Also, ensure all of your Holiday Retirement paperwork is complete and that you have the appropriate copies and receipts.
AFTER YOUR MOVE
Start by providing your family or a close friend with the contact names of the Managers at your Holiday Retirement community, as well as a back-up contact.
Understand that you may not immediately feel at home, but you soon will. If possible, invite your family to visit and introduce them to your neighbors during the first few weeks. Remember, they are welcome to join you for a meal anytime you like.
When your family visits, do the same activities you enjoyed with them in your previous home. Or introduce them to some of the new activities you’ve discovered at your community.
Once you’ve started settling into your new home, get involved! Meals are a great time to socialize, develop those lasting friendships, and begin feeling part of the community. Another way is to get involved in the activities at the community.
Get to know the staff as they will become your extended family. Fill them in on your family, your likes and dislikes, and any other information useful to enhancing your experience at the community.
In addition to live-in managers, Holiday Retirement also offers Community Ambassadors to help new residents get situated in every aspect of their new living environment. They’ll greet you on your first day, show you the ropes of the community, and share tips as well as some of their favorite things about the community with you. They’re also there for you, as a peer, to answer any questions that you have. It’s just one more way you’ll experience The Holiday Touch.
TRANSITION TIPS FOR A LOVED ONE
Many seniors look forward to this time of their lives when they are able to relinquish the hassles of home maintenance, indulge in hobbies, and surround themselves with a community of their peers. For other seniors, the prospect of moving to a retirement community can be overwhelming and unsettling. No matter the outlook, loved ones often play an instrumental role in making the transition as smooth as possible. Below are five tips that may guide you through this process.
1. Don’t wait, start talking now
It’s never too early to begin the conversation about your loved one’s retirement lifestyle options. Find out what his or her wants and desires are for retirement living before circumstances require a move. Identifying the proper time for alternative living arrangements is vital. If falls occur more regularly, mobility or isolation becomes a concern, and healthy habits decline, the timing may be appropriate. Encourage your loved one to participate in the research process so he or she can see first-hand the different options available. This is a big step, so the conversation could take some time. Be patient and understanding while keeping the lines of communication open. Include the immediate family in the decision-making process while developing a plan for your loved one’s retirement.
2. Put yourself in their shoes
Remember your loved one has had a different life experience and has different preferences. Identify the communities that best meet your loved one’s needs and desires, even if they are different than yours. It’s also important, if possible, to involve your loved one throughout the process to allow him or her to feel a part of the decision-making process and to embrace the change. Invite your loved one to communities with you, encourage questions, and always take his or her feelings and opinions into consideration with respect and compassion.
3. Develop a plan
There are more retirement options today than ever before. Having a plan in place can help you recognize what community suits your loved one best. Before visiting a community, determine what your loved requires and desires in a retirement community. What are his or her physical and emotional needs? Answering these key questions will help narrow your focus to find the community that will allow your loved one to enjoy a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle.
4. Sample your options
Once you’ve narrowed your choices to a few communities that interest your loved one, or if you’ve selected your favorite, ask if the community offers a complimentary overnight or extended trial stay. Experiencing the lifestyle first-hand will allow your loved one to understand what to expect, making the transition much easier. You may also drop by for an activity. While visiting, take notes of the other residents. Are they friendly and genuinely happy to be there? Is the community lively and energetic? You can also reach out to other residents and families to learn about their experiences at the community.
5.Keep communication open and positive
There is a lot to consider when making the move, between developing a financial plan, potentially selling a home, downsizing, and eventually settling on the ideal community. When all family members involved are kept on the same page about budgets, expectations and ideas, the process becomes much simpler.
DURING THE MOVE
Help your loved one prioritize items into two lists: necessary and desired items. The necessary list should comprise items that are essential for living comfortably. The desired list includes non-essential items that have emotional or decorative qualities.
Keep in mind that replicating your loved one’s previous home as closely as possible will help him or her feel more at home. Take photos of each room in the current home before packing, and use the photos as a guide when you unpack at the new home.
Start the moving process by measuring each room in the new living space and select furniture pieces that will fit best in that space. (In the “Our Communities” section of this website, click on your community and you’ll find floor plans to help you prepare.)
Local senior moving resources are also available, which will reduce stress during the move. Ask the community managers, the local Chamber of Commerce, or a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), for a list of local moving resources that specialize in working with seniors.
Holiday thoroughly tests the call system and hand rails in each apartment prior to a resident moving in, but it’s always a good idea to test them yourself as well.
Show your loved one how to operate the necessities (call system, telephone, thermostat, kitchen appliances, sink, shower, door locks, elevator, etc). If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the community managers.
It is not required, but for peace-of-mind you may opt to purchase renter’s insurance to protect your loved one’s personal belongings.
AFTER THE MOVE
Some primary caretakers may feel a sense of guilt when encouraging loved ones to move into a retirement community. You should realize that this is a very common feeling, especially when the senior may be apprehensive about moving. But, it is important to understand that retirement communities can greatly enhance the quality of life for seniors and, many times, seniors eventually come to love their new surroundings.
Having your loved one live in a retirement community can also bring a sense of normalcy to your life as well. Considerable stress is placed on a caretaker when attempting to juggle a family and a career while supporting a loved one. When seniors become part of retirement communities, many families notice that the quality of their time spent together vastly improves.
There are ways you can help make your loved one feel more at home after the move. Stay updated on what’s happening in your loved one’s life and at the community. Also, if possible, visit often. Frequent visits, especially in the first few weeks, can help your loved one get acquainted in his or her new home.
During visits, be sure to do all of the activities you enjoyed doing together prior to the move, or join your loved one in a community activity. Connect with managers and other residents as well. Most importantly, ensure your loved one understands that you will always be there to support them.