How to Move Your Loved One into a Senior Living Community During the Holiday Season
Published on September 23, 2022
Senior Living communities are designed to be a “home away from home”. Taking advantage of moving into a community during the holiday season can make the move more for all parties involved.
Tips for Moving into a Senior Living Community
Moving to a senior living home environment can be beneficial for the senior as well as the caregiver. To help ease everyone into the transition of relocating, keep the following tips in mind.
Plan Ahead and Make a Schedule
Planning ahead can make the move that much more seamless. Make a schedule that includes time to sort through belongings, packing, and running errands/going to personal appointments. Then, of course, set time aside for the actual move! Having a well-planned schedule can help alleviate the stress of a move and lower any anxiety.
Involve Seniors in the Moving Process
Moving into senior residences can be a confusing and bittersweet time for both the senior and the caregiver. When choosing a suitable living community, it should always include the input of both the senior and their caregiver. When seniors have options about their personal living situations, it makes them feel being seen, heard, and understood.
Help Them with Packing
In preparation for the move, be sure to enlist the assistance of the senior. It is important to discuss what personal belongings and furnishings they would like to bring with them to their senior living community. This will help them turn their new space into a home environment.
Have Open Communication
Having open communication refers to discussing living arrangements early, even months in advance if the opportunity is possible. Be willing to listen to any and all concerns, worries, and thoughts about the impending move.
Reassure and Encourage Them
A move away from the life and home your loved one has known for years can be overwhelming, intimidating, and alarming. Discussing the various activities, opportunities, and security of the new living arrangements may help settle any fears.
Make It Exciting and Be Positive
When discussing a senior living community, be positive and add excitement to the conversation. Focus on the available services, programs, and living amenities of the new community. Regardless of the person’s age, emotional state, or physical condition, we all need support and hope at stressful times.
Visit the Assisted Living Community before Moving
Assisted living communities are often chosen as a new home for the senior through online websites, brochures, or by word of mouth by family and friends. Whether the senior living community is across the city or across the country, it is important to have a first-hand look at the community in-person.
Help Them Get Familiar with the New Place and People/Staff
Once a senior living community has been chosen, it is important to revisit the community before the day of the move. Stopping by several times can help familiarize your loved one with the new environment, Team Members, and other Members. If possible, see if the assigned living quarters can be revisited for final measurements or décor plans.
Motivate Them to Take Part in Holiday Activities
Making new friends seems to be a harder task as we age. Encouraging your loved one to participate in the holiday activities can help break the ice in situations. Discuss the possibility of having family members and old friends join in the celebrations to support your loved one.
Be Flexible, Supportive, and Approachable
All of the planning, scheduling, and encouragement will only help if your loved one feels supported in all manners. Being flexible and approachable is key in reassuring your loved one their needs and wants are being heard and met to the best of your ability. Take the time to listen.
Benefits of Moving into Senior Living Communities During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time of anticipation and joy for many younger people. But as we age, the loss of loved ones and life’s challenges can make the holiday season a struggle to get through. Being surrounded by caring and friendly people is one of the biggest benefits of moving into a senior living community.
Reduces Loneliness
Moving into a senior living community during the holidays is a wonderful opportunity to reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation. The holiday season can bring great joy for some while producing sad memories of past celebrations. For seniors who have very little or no family members, being part of a community helps to encourage participation.
Provides the Opportunity to Take Part in all the Celebrations
Special arrangements for celebrations are presented at all holidays, especially at Christmas time. Decorated spaces and rooms, music, special guests, and parties keep the spirit of the holiday season alive. During the holiday season, in addition to Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated as well as the Solstice, Rohatsu, and Advent Fast.
Helps Seniors Stay Healthy in the Winter
At senior living communities, your loved one’s well-being is top priority. Thanks to updated vaccinations and medication management, qualified Team Members can help protect seniors from falling ill due to common colds, influenza, and infections. Having around-the-clock nursing staff and on-site access to specialists and physicians is the best way to monitor and react to any health conditions.
Provides Protection and Safety
As the holiday season involves colder weather, ice, and snow, settling into a senior living community may be the best choice. In addition to security measures, Members have the well-deserved luxury of avoiding clearing snow and venturing out for supplies during a storm. Everything they need is provided to them!
Helps with Daily Routines
Assisted living communities provides privacy in regard to activities of daily living (ADL) and routines. By moving into a senior living community during this time, assistance with bathing, mobility, eating, and dressing remain the top priority regardless of the rush of excitement.
Contact V!VA Retirement Communities to Plan Your Holiday Move
At V!VA Retirement Communities, every day is like a holiday as we provide a friendly, active, and enjoyable environment for every one of our Members and their family members.
Call us today to book a guided tour of the community closest to you. We are in central locations in Barrhaven, Mississauga, Oakville, Pickering, Thornhill Woods, Whitby Shores, Meadowlands, and Waterside.
