10 Tips for a Smooth Transition into Senior Living
Big changes — at any stage in life — can be both scary and exciting, especially moving into a senior living community. But you can tip the balance toward excitement by considering these 10 moving tips for seniors.
1. Visit Again Before You Move In
You almost certainly checked out your new home before deciding to live there, but it’s smart to visit at least once more before you actually move in. Doing so will make your surroundings more familiar and enable you to begin to plan for your new life, making for a smooth transition into senior living.
2. Begin Downsizing and Decluttering Early as Soon as Possible
What’s the difference between panicked moving and peaceful moving? Often, it’s simply a matter of time, specifically when moving into a senior living community due to the drastic decrease in space. It can be difficult to decide what to keep and what to pass on or donate, especially when it comes to sentimental items. Giving yourself weeks instead of days will take away the sense of urgency and allow you to make well-thought-out decisions. Crestwood Manor also offers a Move Ahead Program that assists in your moving process.
3. Take Care of the Details
Making sure any ongoing services are canceled in advance — such as cable, utility, and internet — will free up time and mental energy to focus on your new home. Check out this guide to changing your address by the United States Postal Service, which offers useful moving tips for seniors. Finally, consider notifying extended family and friends of your move, either via phone call, email, or a simple postcard like this one.
4. Pack With Purpose
Pack one bag with all of the essentials you’ll need for your first night in your new home, including a change of clothes, any medications you need, toiletries, and important documents. Also, get in contact with a liaison from your new senior living community as they’ll be able to let you know what you’ll need and what you won’t. For further help, the National Council on Aging offers this packing checklist full of helpful moving tips for seniors.
5. Bring a Bit of Home With You
Just like when you moved into your first apartment, you’ll want to bring items that make you feel at home, including photos, blankets, plants, trinkets, etc. when moving into a senior living community. While you don’t want to crowd your new space, be sure to pack the things that bring you joy, whether that’s craft supplies, your CD collection, or your favorite board games.
6. Get to Know Your Neighbors
Making new friends after moving into a senior living community is a lot easier than you think. After all, most people are looking to get to know their neighbors. Sure, you’ll do the basics — smile, ask questions, and perhaps invite people over for coffee. But you’ll also want to take advantage of any programming offered for new residents. Over time, your new community may end up bringing you some new close friends!
7. Get Involved in Your New Community
One of the top moving tips for seniors is to become involved in your new community. And one of the best ways to do that, after moving into a senior living community, is to check out the activities calendar. Often, there will be a half dozen or more opportunities each day to join in something. At Crestwood Manor, the average day offers everything from casino trips to crafting groups; you’ll find card groups, book clubs, movie nights, outings in the local community, and more.
8. Develop a Routine
Having a daily routine has been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of peace and predictability. Even if you end up changing your daily habits once you get to know your new home better, having a routine will help you acclimate to your new surroundings more quickly. you’ll likely have plenty of options to choose from, all within walking distance, which is one of the top benefits of moving into a senior living community.
9. Allow for a Transition Period
Feeling homesick isn’t something experienced just by little kids. Rather, it’s a longing for the familiar — and it can take time to adjust to your new surroundings. Don’t be surprised if you feel melancholy or miss the home you just left. Those feelings are normal. It’s how you react to them that makes the difference, which takes us to number 10.
10. Stay Positive and Flexible
While homesickness can be expected, it can also lead to the same trap as a bad breakup. The longer you wallow in it, the longer the bad feelings will last. So, while giving yourself the grace to be sad, it’s also important to dive in and begin to meet new people and establish new traditions. As the brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking famously said, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change”.
A Smooth Transition to Senior Living at Crestwood Manor
At Crestwood Manor, we believe in making the most of every moment, whether that means learning a new hobby such as painting or woodworking, or meeting up with new friends to enjoy a morning coffee and conversation. Our active senior living community, located in Whiting, New Jersey, offers all of the above, plus a full calendar of activities to inspire everyday life. Contact us today to learn more about moving into a senior living community.
