When families help loved ones launch a new senior living lifestyle, the days are filled with preparations, deciding what to take, and looking forward to the adventure ahead.
However, it’s not uncommon to feel a little apprehensive about moving into a new senior living home. Help for how to navigate the first few days can be reassuring. The following information can smooth the transition process and encourage your loved ones to soon feel right at home:
Proactive steps to prepare for moving into a senior living home
1. Create and follow a plan
Creating a plan is one of the best ways to ensure a less stressful – and more confident – move-in day. Deciding what to bring and what to leave behind can eliminate confusion and clutter in a new senior living home.
If possible, arrange to have their favorite furniture and possessions delivered and waiting so when your loved ones walk through the door for the first time, they are genuinely welcomed home.
2. Remember, adjusting to a new senior living home takes time
Help your loved ones set reasonable expectations about this life change. You want to encourage excitement about the future but help them remember that moving likely will require a period of adjustment.
Talk about steps they can take to remain positive but patient as they prepare for this transition. Discuss ways they might spend the first week or how to easily meet the other residents.
3. Boost an optimistic attitude
If your loved ones could use a little encouragement as moving day approaches, this can be a great time to review many of the benefits and advantages that are waiting for them in the community.
Remind them of how a specific senior living amenity will help resolve a current challenge they’re experiencing – such as how the delicious dining program at their new home will resolve their struggle to prepare healthy meals. Most older adults also look forward to the easy and maintenance-free lifestyle.
4. Become familiar with the community beforehand
Visiting the community several times before moving in can foster feelings of familiarity. Take a walk on the pathways or stop and chat with the staff. When possible, arrange for your loved ones to share a meal with the other residents or participate in an activity. These visits ahead of time can help the community feel more like home when they arrive.
Download our complimentary Successful Transitions guide to learn more.
Tips for settling into a new senior living home
Consider these suggestions to make move-in day and the first few weeks more positive:
1. Plan for a successful transition
Talk with the community’s executive director about the best time to arrive when moving into the senior living community. Avoiding shift changes or other busy times can be less confusing and allow the staff to help your loved ones begin to feel welcomed and ready to begin their new life.
2. Help decorate and add the personal touch
It’s important to help your loved ones feel at home as quickly as possible. Begin unpacking and decorating – such as hanging their pictures, making the bed with a cozy comforter or putting out their favorite family items so they are surrounded by the objects that speak of home to them.
3. Join the residents for a meal or social event
Encourage your loved ones to meet the other residents as soon as they can to begin feeling part of the community. Although they might feel hesitant at first, they will quickly discover how much they have in common and will soon begin making friends in their new senior living home.
4. Try a new activity or participate in a fitness class
While adjusting to a move takes time, it’s also a great opportunity to take advantage of new experiences. If your loved ones have struggled to participate in fitness or exercise classes, help them create a healthy routine. If they always wanted to try a certain hobby, now is the perfect chance.
5. Meet the staff and other residents with a smile
Moving to a new senior living home may cause a little anxiety but remind your loved ones to offer a smile and warm greeting to those who cross their paths. Encourage them to introduce themselves as newcomers to the community and quickly discover how friendly the other residents can be.
6. Rely on family for extra support
If your loved ones are feeling a little tentative about jumping right in, family members and friends can provide the perfect assistance to break the ice. Join them at a meal or activity and offer to make introductions, ask questions of the other residents and discover commonalities.
7. Ask the staff for help
The staff is well experienced in helping new residents feel at home. If your loved ones could use a little help, ask a staff member to introduce them to another resident or an activity they might enjoy. If there is continued difficulty in adjusting, reach out to the staff for recommendations.
The Charleston Senior Living Community
Locally owned and operated, we offer personalized care by our dedicated team members. Setting a new standard in Assisted Living and Memory Care, we don’t define our residents by their limitations or illness but instead believe in focusing on the positive and the possibility.
The Charleston Senior Community includes private apartments for assisted living residents and for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Your loved ones will benefit from our attention to detail, routine health assessments, delicious dining and daily activity programs as we support everyone to live their best life.
Consider a few of our amenities:
- Chef-led dining program
- Community movie theater
- Salon
- Ballroom
- Live entertainment
- Outdoor patio
- Social lounges
- Housekeeping
If you or your family is thinking about Assisted living or Memory care, we hope you will consider The Charleston Senior Community. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions, contact us today.
We also invite you to download our complimentary Successful Transitions guide to learn more about making the move to senior living.
