It doesn’t matter how old you are; you probably remember your first day at school. Why does this memory imprint in our minds?
It’s because it was a significant transition in our lives, and transitions matter to us. They can feel big and sometimes daunting.
It happens throughout life, and you may now find yourself at a crossroads where you are considering senior transitions to an independent living community. If so, read on for our top tips on how to handle the move with ease.
Senior Moving Advice: Sort Through Your Belongings
We all accumulate lots of possessions throughout life, and you may find that you have furniture, boxes of treasures, and other belongings that fill up space in a garage.
Before transitioning to senior living, it’s essential you take the time to go through your belongings and declutter and organize them, as it will make your move easier. Start by categorizing your belongings. Use four groupings:
- Keep the item
- Donate it to charity or family
- Recycle it
- Discard it
This will make it easier to focus on your goal of decluttering and avoid it becoming too overwhelming. Always ask yourself whether an item serves a purpose or holds sentimental value. If it doesn’t, it’s best to give it away.
You could also consider handing over valuable items, such as antiques or jewelry, to the family for safekeeping.
Downsizing and decluttering will help you begin your new life in a space that feels organized and welcoming.
Helping Seniors Transition: Creating a New Home
Transitioning to senior living will feel easier if your new apartment feels like a home rather than a living space. And there is plenty you can do to make this happen.
Start by adding elements that make you feel comfortable and make the living areas feel more familiar. That might include adding:
- Family photos
- Cherished accessories like throws or cushions
- Your favorite item of furniture
- Plants
- Artwork
Make sure you consider the color scheme and opt for a design that feels personal, calming, and welcoming. You could get family members involved in helping you design and decorate your new living space.
Remember that a comfortable room also needs to be accessible, so keep it uncluttered and make it easy to move around. Add essential items to an area that’s easy to reach, and make sure they are in the first box you unpack so you aren’t searching for important belongings like bank cards.
Adjusting to Senior Living: Creating a New Routine
Getting a routine in place will help you feel at ease and make the transition go more smoothly. Start by looking at the activities and amenities offered in your new senior living community and write down some that look interesting.
Choose activities that seem familiar and will bring you joy, whether that’s a relaxing walk or a social event in the evening, like a quiz night.
Break your routine up so it includes active parts of the day and times when you can rest. This will stop you from arranging a day that’s too tiring and overwhelming.
It’s also vital that you include at least one activity that helps you connect with others. This social element is one of the most critical parts of any transition. Forming friendships will make your new life feel like an old, familiar home.
Support for Life Changes: Create a Network
A strong support network can help you in any challenging hurdle you face in life, and that’s true for a house move, too. Create that network before you move, and it will help make the transition easier for you.
Start by having a schedule with close friends and family for visits and calls once you move. It will feel uplifting and comforting to know you’re expecting a visit from a loved one once you’ve moved into a senior living community.
Be open and honest about your feelings with those you trust. Sometimes, talking through your worries or concerns about a transition can help. Family and friends will find it easier to support you if they know the thoughts running through your head about the move, so don’t be afraid to express them.
Finally, remember that sometimes professional support can help you with a significant life transition. If you feel you need more experienced advice than what a friend or family member can offer, look into a professional counselor or speak to your senior living community for a recommendation.
Senior Independence Tips
When you transition to senior living, you’ll be in a new environment where help is available for everyday tasks. But that can be a challenge at first, and you might feel at odds with your sense of independence.
So think about how to create that perfect balance when you move, from seeking the help you need while maintaining that control over the things that matter to you. There are some practical ways to do this, like embracing technology to help you with daily tasks, like setting a medication reminder on your phone.
Consider investing in ergonomic furniture and aid walkers that can help you move freely around your new living space.
Stay Active in Your New Home
Being physically and mentally active and looking after your health will help you feel more energized during your move. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people. Consider signing up for activities that match your interests, which could be:
- Gardening clubs
- Fitness classes
- Hobby groups like art or reading
- Walking groups
- Learning a new skill like cooking
It’s a chance to embrace your new life. One of the advantages of senior living is that you no longer have a day filled with work and chores. In retirement, you can enjoy your time and do all the fun things you might have been too busy with when you were younger.
Senior Transitions: Embracing a New and Exciting Lifestyle
Senior transitions don’t have to feel scary and emotional. While that might be your initial reaction to a move, you can embrace all the advantages of your new life and take practical steps to make the move easier.
Terrabella Summit in Greenville, SC, has everything you’d expect in a top-quality senior living community for your transition to retirement. Discover our fantastic amenities, such as our beauty salon and barber shop, for yourself by contacting us!
