How To Navigate the Transition Into Senior Living

Deciding to transition into senior living isn’t easy, but there are a few ways you can relieve your anxiety about the move. It’s understandable for anyone to struggle with such a significant change. Allow yourself time to acclimate to your new living situation, but don’t forget to take advantage of senior living communities support. 

Tour the Community Before Moving In

Fear of the unknown plays a significant role in our worries about moving, but you can combat it by visiting the community before your move-in day. Tour the facility with a staff member and discuss what you can expect. 

This preliminary visit can help turn your nervousness into excitement. Whether you’re an upcoming resident or a relative of one, try asking as many questions as possible during the tour. Knowing what to expect can calm your nerves about entering an unfamiliar situation.

Make Your New Place Feel Like Home

Choosing what to bring with you is one of the most complex parts of moving into an assisted living community. To help ease the transition, bring personal items you can surround yourself with to make your new place feel like home. 

You could hang family photos and artwork, fill a bookshelf with your favorite books or use decor to express your style. Having familiar things nearby will make your new room feel more comfortable. 

Familiarize Yourself With the Community

Part of the challenge of the transition into senior living is not knowing where to go, what to do, or when to do it. If you received a community handbook or information packet, read through it to find important information like when you can go to breakfast or dinner, how laundry works, and what amenities are available. 

Meet Your Neighbors

During the first few days, you should introduce yourself to your neighbors. A friendly face or two can make a massive difference in your experience with the community. Neighbors who have been residents for a while can give you insider information to help you adjust, and the friends you make can accompany you to meals and activities so you won’t have to feel alone.

Talk to the Community Staff Members

You’ll interact with many staff members, including caregivers, nurses, and dining staff. They all want to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and get to know them. At the same time, they’ll get to know you and your concerns and preferences so they can help you to the best of their abilities.

Join Clubs and Participate in Activities

Participating in social groups and activities during your first week makes the transition into senior living much more manageable. Not only will you make friends, but you’ll also find ways to engage with your interests and discover new ones.

Senior living communities generally have social programming tailored to their residents, and you can likely find a calendar or schedule to help you plan your time. Typical activities include book clubs, card games, spiritual groups, gardening, and fitness sessions. 

Stay in Touch With Your Life Outside the Community

While exploring your new community is essential, engaging with your life outside the senior living facility gives you a chance to take a break from all the new things and enjoy your usual activities. You could visit with your family members, eat at a local restaurant, go shopping, or watch a movie. 

Volunteer activities can also help you keep in touch with the local area outside the community. Having something to focus on besides your daily life in senior living can be healthy for your mental and physical well-being.

Find the Perfect Community for You

Hopefully, this article has given you some helpful tips to ease the transition into senior living. If you haven’t decided which community to move to, try researching and visiting different senior living facilities to find the right one. 

At NestBeyond, we take your freedom and comfort seriously. Our partnered senior living communities boast only the best, most well-trained staff to ensure the well-being of their residents. Call us today at 866-622-4206 and discover the best senior living community for you or your loved one.