Tips to Ease the Transition to a Senior Living Community
Published on January 25, 2019
Once you’ve made the decision to transition to a senior living community, it’s time to pack, move, and set up your new space. It may take a while to adjust to the change, but once you have adjusted, you will appreciate how enjoyable living in a senior community can be. If you’re in the midst of this change and need some advice on how to adjust, here are some tips to make the transition smoother for both seniors and caregivers.
Tips for Caregivers
Involve Your Loved One in the Decision
If your parent or senior loved one is clearly in need of a safer, more controlled environment with features like assistance with medication or chores, a retirement community is likely the first option that comes to your mind. However, it is important to include them in the decision—this is a choice about their future, and it can be stressful for them to feel as if they are losing control. Explore options with them and find out what features they like and dislike.
Visit the Community or Book a Trial Stay
One of the best ways to convince a loved one that a retirement community is right for them is by taking them on a tour or scheduling a trial stay. With a trial stay, they can spend a few nights at the community and try out the different features, food, events, and activities it has to offer.
Allow Them to be Independent
Regular visits are extremely helpful to aid your parent or senior loved one in adjusting to their new home. However, this does not mean you need to coddle them or make all their decisions for them. It can be tempting to be overprotective to ensure they are safe and taken care of, but this signals that you do not trust them to adapt on their own. Be aware of how protective you are, and ensure you are not overbearing.
Tips for Seniors
Give Yourself Time
It takes time to adjust to change—especially one as big as moving into a retirement home. That’s why it’s important to be patient with yourself and your emotions. During the first few days and weeks, spend some time thinking about how you can make this experience enjoyable for yourself. Learn about what your new community has to offer, and take your time getting to know the team and Community Members.
Decorate Your New Space
Personalizing your new space can make a huge difference in helping you transition! Put up photographs of your family and friends, use your favourite colours on your bedding and curtains, and bring your favourite furniture, dishes, or family heirlooms to make your new home feel like it is truly yours.
Get Involved
There is no shortage of ways to get involved in your new community. You can enjoy meals in the dining room with the other Community Members, join a club or group that focuses on your interests, take a fitness class to form bonds, and attend community events like festivals and concerts. It can feel awkward opening up yourself to a new community, but once you’ve made a few good connections, you’ll realize how rewarding it is.
Maintain Your Hobbies & Routine
It may be helpful to stick to the same routine that you had at home. Keeping some aspects normal can help you keep your stress levels low during a transition into a retirement community. For example, if you eat your meals at the same time each day, do the same at your new home. If you go for a walk every evening after dinner, do the same.
Explore and Make New Friends
A strong social network can have a huge positive impact on your transition into a retirement community. Socialization is a major party of an individual’s happiness and can contribute to feelings of self-esteem and purpose. Make the effort to do more than say hello to your fellow Community Members, and take some time to build deeper connections.
Keep Busy
Anyone who sits at home on their own for weeks will not feel their best mentally, emotionally, and physically. That’s why it’s important to find hobbies and activities you enjoy. They are an important part of revitalizing life in your new retirement community. Many retirement homes offer a variety of clubs and daily activities you can try or join to fill your schedule with more fun.
Reach Out to Our Trained Team Members
Choosing the right community for your loved one can be difficult with so many options available, and aside from online reviews and recommendations, you may want a first-hand look at what these options are.
V!VA Retirement Communities is one of the best choices when you’re ready to move into a retirement home, and you can schedule a visit to see for yourself! Our Team Members work together to provide community living that goes above and beyond expectations. We want our Community Members to feel comfortable and safe as they build new friendships and enjoy an active, safe, healthy life.
Our services are well-loved by our Community Members. We provide dining by Red Seal chefs, fitness and recreational programs, amenities, and much more. You or your loved one can enjoy a relaxed, comfortable, and personal environment that provides the comforts of privacy and the fun of socializing in a safe community.
As one of the few strong and successful privately-owned and independent developers in the senior living field, we offer quality care so each of our Members have an easier transition! We have locations in Barrhaven, Mississauga, Pickering, Thornhill Woods, Ancaster, Carleton Place, Oakville, and Whitby.
To learn more about us and to find out if our retirement communities are right for you or your loved one, e-mail us at info@vivalife.ca or call us at 1-888-984-8482.
