Moving into a senior living community can be a significant transition, but it also opens the door to a new chapter filled with opportunities and ease. Here are steps to help make the move smoother and more enjoyable. Caring Transitions can help point you in the right direction.
1. Stay Positive
This move is about enhancing quality of life. Say goodbye to yardwork, home maintenance, cooking, and cleaning. Embrace the adventure that awaits – the first step is always the hardest, but it is worth it.
2. Consider hiring a relocation company
Although some Leisure Care communities may offer moving assistance. Hiring a professional relocation service can ease the burden of doing it alone. Allocate around one hundred hours for sorting, twenty hours for downsizing, and 40-60 hours for packing and unpacking if you choose to use friends and family, for a fee, many relocation companies can take care of all of these details and more, letting you pay out of escrow when your home sells, so the only up front cost is a small down payment.
3. Organize with a notebook
Use this notebook to make lists, jot down questions, and record memories as you go through your belongings. It will help keep you organized and provide a space for reflection.
4. Be Realistic
Packing and sorting through decades of memories cannot be rushed. Accept that it will take time, and that is perfectly okay.
5. Start Small
If the task feels overwhelming, start with just 20 minutes a day. Often, once you begin, you will find it easier to continue.
6. Set Deadlines
Deadlines help keep you and your family accountable. Schedule times for loved ones to pick up heirlooms, arrange donation pickups, and set specific times for sorting and packing.
7. Sort Medications & Transfer Prescriptions
Manage this early to avoid any issues once you’ve moved. Ensure your medications are organized and prescriptions are transferred to your new pharmacy location.
8. Start a Folder or Safe with Important Documents
Keep essential documents like your will, power of attorney, medical records, military records, diplomas, birth certificates, and passports in a safe place. This prevents them from being lost or discarded during the move.
9. Ask Your Children to Collect Their Things
This reduces your workload and ensures that their belongings are sorted by them, saving you time and effort.
10. Update Address & Forward Mail
Forward your mail and cancel any unwanted subscriptions or memberships to ensure you do not miss important correspondence.
11. Request Floor Plans
A floor plan of your new apartment with measurements will help ensure that the items you take will fit, Caring Transitions uses a mapping program and provides a 3D model of your new home with detailed measurements. Use it to plan where your furniture will go and decide what to keep or give away based on the available space.
12. Make Accommodations for Pets
If you have pets, check your new community’s pet policy. If pets are not allowed, start looking for a new home for your furry friends, consider adopting agencies.
13. Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Seek assistance from professionals like interior designers, home staging specialists, real estate agents, move managers, or moving companies to make the process easier. Caring Transitions can handle most of these services or has a preferred vendor that can accommodate all of your needs.
14. Have Fun!
Turn the moving process into a fun activity. Invite a friend, play some music, and enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and focus on your new adventure.
By following these steps, you can make the transition to senior living a positive and organized experience. Remember, it’s not just about moving; it’s about starting a new, exciting chapter in life.