Planning for a Successful Move to Senior Living

Helpful tips that can help you have an easier and successful move to senior living.

Now that you or a loved one have decided to move to senior living, you're likely to feel a range of emotions from excitement to nervousness to stress. This is understandable, as you're facing a big transition. That's why planning ahead is so important. Not only will it make the moving process smoother, but it can also help you work through those emotions, which can ease the transition. These tips can help you plan for a successful move to senior living.

Tips for a successful move to senior living

#1: Start by downsizing

The first thing you'll want to do to prepare for your move to senior living is to go through your belongings. For many, this can be more emotionally and logistically overwhelming than even selling the house! To make it easier, we recommend taking it one step at a time:

• Keep things organized – Identifying categories for your belongings, like bedding, dishes, electronics, etc. Or, if that's too detailed, simply categorize by specific rooms. Then, set aside a place to sort your items, like the garage, with plenty of room to spread out.  

• Focus on one room at a time – Slowing down and focusing on one room of the house at a time will help keep you from being overwhelmed. But to create a timetable for completing downsizing so you keep things moving forward.

• Sort into piles – When going through your belongings, sort them into keep, sell, donate, recycle, or gift piles. If you find it hard to decide what to let go, following the rule that if you haven't used it in six months, you don't really need it can help. For sentimental items, gifting them to family or friends can make it easier to part with them.

• Ask for help – While downsizing is certainly more manageable with help, it's also an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and have some laughs when reminiscing. Not to mention, it's a perfect time to gift those sentimental items to family and friends.

#2: Plan your new space

Another way to help ensure a successful move to senior living is to plan ahead for your new space. Again, not only does it make it easier to get settled in quickly, but it can also help you or your loved one settle into the idea of the move and keep your focus on all you have to look forward to.

Many communities have interactive room planners on their websites, or you can ask for a copy of the floor plan as well. Our community encourages residents to personalize their space as much as possible, so it feels like home. Check out our blog for decorating tips [insert link to 8/13/24 blog].

#3: Get organized for packing

After downsizing and planning your new space, you likely have some idea of what you want to bring for your move to senior living. Your new community may also provide certain items for your space, so you'll want to check on that and see if they have a specific list of items to bring. However, it's typical to plan for these items:  

• Comfort items – Consider a favorite blanket, throw, and/or pillow(s), sheets, and a bedspread or comforter.

• Personal care – Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, and a shaving kit for men or cosmetics for women. You'll also want to include other personal grooming items, including bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths.

• Clothing – Bring comfortable clothes that are easy to get on and off. Also, make sure you have rubber-soled shoes to help prevent falls. Plus, you'll want to pack undergarments, pajamas, socks, a robe, slippers, light sweaters, and/or a jacket.

• Keepsakes – Remember personal items like family photos, albums, scrapbooks, and your favorite books and music.

#4: Make your move easier

Regardless of how prepared you or your loved one are, moving day is likely to be emotional. Keep in mind that the first 30 days after the move are key to the transition, so be sure to give yourself time to adjust before making any changes. To make the moving day itself easier, our recommendations include:

• Get to know the community – By this, we mean to make sure you've completed all the new resident paperwork and have familiarized yourself with the community and its policies before move-in day.

• Ask for help – Again! And it's okay to do so, as your family and friends will want to support you in this transition. They can help with the move itself if you're not hiring movers and/or to help you get settled in.  

• Unpack ASAP – Unpacked boxes are a surefire way to keep you unsettled in your new space. So, the sooner everything is unpacked and set up as you planned, the sooner it will feel like home.  

• Focus on the positives – Yes, it's emotional, but you or your loved one also have a lot to look forward to this move to senior living. So, focusing on positives like maintenance-free living and amenities like restaurant-style dining, weekly housekeeping, a fitness center, a beauty salon, and the peace of mind that support is always near can help ease the transition.

• Get connected – One of the biggest draws for a move to senior living is the active, social, and engaging lifestyle. So, get the monthly calendar right away to see what's available that you or your loved one might enjoy. And don't let being new stop you from joining in; senior living communities like ours make a point to help new residents get introduced to others who share similar interests. As you find things you love to do and make those first friends, you'll wonder why you didn't move to senior living sooner!

Download our Just the Facts Guide to Independent Living guide today for more information about choosing the independent living lifestyle for retirement.