6 Tips for Moving into a Senior Living Community

6 Tips for Moving into a Senior Living Community

Bydrivease

It’s been a while since your last move, but this one’s different.

You’re not relocating for career purposes, chasing your dreams, or being forced out by financial constraints. This time, you’re making a transition to a new community as a senior. Experts say that moving can be particularly stressful for older people. The idea of leaving your home, which has been your refuge for decades, may seem daunting for most, even terrifying for some.

If you feel uneasy or scared, then it’s totally fine. That’s normal. The best thing you can do to alleviate your worries is to prepare, so the transition is less intimidating. Below are six tips for moving into a senior living community.

1. Think Positively

Perspective is one of the biggest factors that can affect your move. The way you view the situation can positively or negatively impact your mental, emotional, and even physical health.

Here are some ways to look at the brighter side of things:

  • Think about your move as a vacation. You’ve already done so much in life, and it’s time to take a break − no work, no deadlines, no stress: just you and all the time in the world.
  • It’s not the end. This is a call for a new adventure. You’re just leaving your usual chores behind. It’s time to face and write this new chapter in your life. Make it a beautiful one.
  • This move is an opportunity to meet new people. People who share the same boat as you. Who knows? You might find a new circle of friends.

It’s all about having an optimistic outlook. Negative thoughts will only complicate things and make it harder for you to move on.

2. Don’t Rush

Take a deep breath.

And another one.

And another one.

Do you feel lighter? Good.

Just like the quick exercise you just did, moving to a senior community will feel better if you’re not under pressure. Unlike your previous moves, time and financial constraints are not binding you now. Besides, packing up and letting go of the past 50 years of your life won’t be that easy. Cherish those memories for as long as you want.

3. Make a Plan

You should know by now how valuable a plan is. Moving blindly without one can give rise to complications that can stress you out. Here are some helpful steps to creating a workable moving plan:

  • Grab your calendar and set deadlines.
  • Write down achievable goals.
  • Let family and friends know when you’re leaving so they can come over. They may even offer to help with the decluttering and packing!

4. Get Some Help

Remember that you’re not young anymore. Those years of constant labor have taken their toll on your body. This is the reality you have to accept. Thus, you’re going to need all the help you can get.

When talking about assistance, the first thing on your mind would be to contact friends and family, right? However, they probably have little experience in packing and lifting objects. As a result, you’re putting them at risk of injuries and accidents. Not to mention the safety of your belongings is also in question.

That’s why you should hire professional movers like Cheap Austin Movers and leave the heavy stuff to them. Professionals have experience helping people just like you move from one home to another. Plus, they have the equipment and trucks to do the job right, so you don’t have to worry about damage to your prized belongings.

5. Save the Best for Last

Although you might enjoy going through all those boxes of photographs and keepsakes, packing items that hold sentimental value can hinder your progress. When you come across something tied to memories, chances are you’ll want to sit down and take a tour down memory lane. Save these types of items for packing last. You’ll have more time to indulge your nostalgia once everything else is packed.

6. Visit Your New Home Before the Big Day

To further ease your anxiety, make sure to familiarize yourself with your new home before moving day. Go to your new place with someone close to you. Check out the facilities. Meet fellow residents. Once you get a feel for your new home, it will calm your nerves and get rid of any anxiety that will probably make you stay up all night before the move.

Conclusion

By following the above tips, you can enjoy a more straightforward transition into your new home. Enjoy your new community!

Things to Discuss When Moving a Loved One into Assisted Living

Things to Discuss When Moving a Loved One into Assisted Living

Bydrivease

While programs like Drive a Senior and Meals on Wheels attempt to enable Austin’s elderly to continue living independently, sometimes families must face the reality that moving their loved one into an assisted living facility could be what’s best for everyone. While making this decision is never easy, nursing homes and retirement communities offer elderly residents the safety of on-site medical assistance, an array of amenities, and several other benefits. As you help your loved one make the transition to assisted living, there are a few things you can do to make the move as easy as possible.

Discuss the Benefits

One of the ways that you can make moving to an assisted living facility a little easier is to talk about the benefits. In addition to having medical staff on call 24/7, residents of retirement homes also have:

  • More social interaction: Instead of spending days at a stretch at home without visitors, nursing home residents have the opportunity for daily social engagement with their peers. Not only are friends just a door over, but the staff at assisted living facilities organize an array of parties, events, and even outings.
  • No more home maintenance: For the elderly, home maintenance issues can turn into a real problem and safety issue. By selling their home and moving into a nursing facility, they’ll be free of the burdens of homeownership.
  • Housecleaning is included: Another perk of living in assisted living is that meals and housecleaning are included in the package deal! Now instead of struggling to cook and clean, residents can enjoy doing things that they want to, like playing cards or chatting with friends.
  • Safety: One of the biggest benefits of assisted living is the constant presence of staff to ensure your loved one’s safety. Not only are buildings secure from the threat of burglary, but you’ll no longer have to fret about the potential that your elderly family member might fall and not be able to get up to call for help. In assisted living, they will receive constant monitoring and supervision.

Take A Tour

Before you decide on one facility, go on a tour of several different residences that are in your price range. Make sure you check out the dining area, common areas, the nursing station, and outdoor areas. Discuss the pros and cons of each facility with your loved one and make sure they are happy with the final decision prior to signing the paperwork.

Know What to Take

No matter what kind of facility they are moving into, your loved one will likely need to do some downsizing. Parting with their beloved possessions may be one of the most difficult parts of moving into assisted living because things are a tangible reminder of a lifetime of memories. Prior to helping your family member move, make sure to contact the assisted living facility. Some independent living apartments allow residents to bring their own furnishings, while others come fully furnished and only require the residents to bring clothing and a few other personal items. Be there to help your loved one as they downsize for assisted living; here are some great tips to help. As you pack for the move, try to take as many decorations from home as possible so that the person feels comfortable. Pictures are ideal as they will keep the person thinking about family members.

If you are moving your loved one into a facility in the Austin area, there are several great professional moving companies that can help you with the moving logistics.

Make Introductions

Once they are moved in, take your loved one around to meet some of the staff and other residents who live in the facility. Making new friends might seem daunting, but if you are there, then it might be easier for them to talk to others. Try going at meal time so that there are more people in one place.

Discuss the Medical Offerings

Be aware that different facilities offer different levels of medical care. Assisted living facilities generally only provide basic services, such as providing medications and scheduling doctor’s appointments, while nursing homes offer a broader range of services and more medical staff. Make sure you have a plan for transitioning your loved one to more comprehensive medical care should the need arise.

Moving into assisted living after years of living independently is a difficult transition for most elderly people. Make sure you take the time to listen to your loved one’s needs and prepare them for this big move. Once they are settled in and have made new friends, they will likely enjoy their new home!

 

Meals on Wheels in Austin: All About the Program that Delivers Food and Smiles

Meals on Wheels in Austin: All About the Program that Delivers Food and Smiles

Bydrivease

Texas has a rapidly growing senior population. According to the US Census, by 2030 more than 20% of Texans will be over 60. As the population ages, it’s important to have a support system in place to ensure that loved ones can continue to have the quality of life they’ve always enjoyed. Most seniors believe…