It’s estimated that as many as 800,000 Americans live in assisted living communities. If you’ve recently decided to make the move to one of these retirement communities, you might be feeling pretty overwhelmed.
After all, a lot goes into transitioning to these spaces. Often people need to downsize, move, and get to know the community. And, depending on how comfortable you are with change this might be a daunting prospect. However, assisted living in Marietta, GA doesn’t need to be stressful.
The key is to get excited about all the possibilities that this transition can have for your life. To make the move to senior living in Marietta easier we’ll be going over some tips that can help make the entire process smoother.
Begin Downsizing Early
It’s rare for someone to move to a Marietta assisted care community while upgrading on space. Rather, most people are moving from larger apartments or homes into single-room suites.
Unfortunately, many people have spent a lifetime accumulating things in their homes. And, if you have a difficult time letting go of things, you might have trouble downsizing.
However, downsizing is essential. If you try to cram two or three rooms worth of furniture and belongings, it’s going to be too crowded. So, list what’s essential for you in your new home.
Then, decide how you’ll be getting rid of the excess things. If you have family in the area, you can give it to them. This is great for family heirlooms you want to pass on to the next generation.
If you can’t give things up, you can put them into storage. Just keep in mind this might be expensive. Alternatively, you can hold a yard sale or try selling things online.
Anything you don’t own should be donated or thrown away. It’s important to begin this process early so you aren’t overwhelmed with it a few weeks or days before the big move. So plan a few months.
Assess the Space
Hopefully, by now you have selected an assisted living community to transition to. However, before you move to the community you want to get a better sense of the space.
The best way to do this is to take a tour of the community. While you might have done this already, we recommend doing it again, specifically in your future room.
If you can, you should also ask for a copy of the floor plan. Take lots of pictures of the room from different angles. This will help you realistically picture what furniture pieces will go where.
Create a Timeline for Your Move
Next comes the moving logistics. We recommend coordinating with movers months in advance if you can. If you can, a year or more in advance can get you better rates.
Once you get some solid quotes and dates, you should begin coordinating with the assisted living community. This includes what day you should arrive, where the movers should park, and other considerations.
Invest in some moving equipment. Moving boxes, tape, and bubble wrap are all great for ensuring your belongings arrive safely.
If you have family members who have a truck, you might not need professional movers. Just make sure you coordinate with them carefully beforehand so you can get the best elderly care in Marietta, Georgia.
Introduce Yourself to Your Neighbors
Introducing yourself to new people can be a challenge if you’re introverted. However, remember that everyone in the assisted living community is eager to meet you.
As such, you don’t need to be worried about knocking on your neighbor’s door once you’re settled. Eventually, you should know almost everyone on your floor.
Remember that every new person you meet has the potential for a new friend. While it might be easier to stay locked in your room, remember that social participation for seniors can have some major health benefits.
Specifically, one study found that social participation:
- Reduces stress, depression, and loneliness in seniors
- Improves self-care and quality of life
- Enhances physical activity
- Stimulates cognitive function
- Prevents dementia
Introducing yourself is the first part of taking advantage of these benefits. More importantly, it allows you to begin feeling connected to the new community.
Get Involved in Community Events
Once you’re settled, you’ll hopefully begin to be able to put names to faces when it comes to residents. However, getting to know them can seem like an entirely different challenge.
The best way to get over this is to get involved in the community events at your assisted living community. Check the activity calendar in your community. You’ll likely notice a lot of fun events like:
- Social hours
- Game nights
- Movie nights
- Fitness groups
- Book clubs
- Bible studies
These activities provide valuable opportunities for you to hang out and get to know people past introductions.
Explore Life Outside the Community
Remember that you can always enjoy the surrounding Marietta area. If you have family members, you might want to attend birthday parties or weddings. Shopping can also be a delightful way to spend an afternoon.
Meals out, grocery shopping, church, and doctor’s visits are just some of the reasons you might want to spend the day outside of the community. Many assisted living communities provide rides to group events and similar outings.
Of course, you can always get someone to pick you up or take a rideshare. Just don’t feel pressure to spend every single day in retirement homes in Marietta if you don’t want to.
Looking for the Best Assisted Living in Marietta, GA? Visit Greenwood Place
We hope this guide gave you some good advice for transitioning to assisted living in Marietta, GA. Here at Greenwood Place, we know that making this big life change can be scary for some of our residents.
That’s why we do everything in our power to make you feel at home. From a friendly staff that will show you around the place to frequent social activities, we do everything we can to immerse you in the community.
If you’re ready to discover the joys of assisted living, get in touch with us today.
