Shifting homes can feel overwhelming at any stage of your life. Moving to a new location with new neighbours in a new environment can bring up fears of the unknown. This also holds true for transitioning to a retirement home. However, there are ways to make the transition smoother so that you can enjoy this new phase of your life.
1. Organize Your Affairs
Organizing your affairs in a timely fashion will help make the transition process less stressful. If you’re downsizing, take the time to manage your assets with help from a legal expert and family. Pass items you won’t need in your new community as gifts to loved ones and make a list of essential personal treasures to take with you.
2. Research the Home
Matching with the right retirement home can help make the transition smoother. You may find that instead of feeling apprehensive, you’re looking forward to the transition. Only the best retirement homes have the following characteristics, features, and amenities:
- Kind, caring, and trained staff
- Assisted living for residents that require support
- State-of-the-art design for older adults
- Daily living activities to support your spiritual, emotional, and social needs
- Sensory rooms for memory care residents
- Heated swimming pools, gyms, and other facilities
Visit your retirement home, meet the staff, and feel free to ask questions. Learning more about your new community will help with the transition.
3. Connect with Family
Speak with your loved ones about how you’re feeling. Voicing fears can be therapeutic and make the transition process more manageable.
Taking down contact details to stay in touch with important people in your life such as neighbours, friends, and family is also a good idea. You may also consider connecting with people on social media to chat with them from the comfort of your new home.
Similarly, set dates in advance for your family to visit soon after you move to your new community. Likewise, set aside time for phone calls with your friends and family.
4. Make Your New Environment Feel Familiar
It’s natural for any new environment to feel strange. But you can make your new surroundings feel like home faster by bringing in some of our treasured items:
- Picture frames
- Photo albums
- Bedsheets
- Blankets
- Decoration pieces
- Furniture
- Perfumes
- Books
- Hobbies
5. Embrace the Community
Embrace your new community at your retirement home. You’ll find like-minded residents eager to help you settle in and form friendships. Likewise, speak to the staff about anything you need. They’re there to assist.
If you need helpmeeting new people, attend your retirement community’s activities. Besides helping you socialize; new activities can be stimulating and keep you in good mental and physical health.
6. Sign Up for Personalized Care
One of the most significant advantages of shifting to a good retirement community is that you’ll gain access to personalized care. Whether you need help with mobility, medicine intake, or something else, a personal care delivery professional can provide the support you need and make the transition to a new environment easier.
Moving to a retirement home can be an emotional period for an older adult. So, please be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that come up in order to process them healthily. With time to adjust, you can adapt to your new community and flourish.
