There is nothing quite like moving into a new home. Envisioning how you will use your space, decorate your walls, and make new memories can all be joyful experiences. This is true of the move to a senior living community – a transition full of hope, stability, and new beginnings. This experience is made all the more exciting by the prospect of the amenities, activities, and beautiful campus provided by the right community.
However, the prospect of making the move itself is often daunting. Moving becomes an increasingly difficult endeavor with age, and moves to senior living specifically can entail a considerable amount of downsizing. If you or a loved one plan on making the move to senior living, you may be feeling overwhelmed by issues like these. Conversely, you may have been delaying this transition for the same reason. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make the move easier with planning and preparation.
- Vet your moving company. The right senior living community will allow residents to furnish their homes with their own furniture and decorations. If you or your loved one plan to bring such items with you, it is important they make the trip safely and arrive in one piece. For this reason, you must ensure the moving company you choose has a good reputation for treating belongings with care. Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and even the community itself (as they have plenty of experience with move-ins). Also, be sure to read online reviews of a potential mover to determine their competence.
- Schedule the move as early as possible. Try to make arrangements in advance – ideally as soon as the community provides a move-in date. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that higher-quality movers’ schedules will fill up. This is especially true during warmer months when many people prefer to move. If you cannot find a satisfactory moving company or do not plan on using one, try to enlist the help of friends and family members. Be sure to give them plenty of notice to ensure their calendars are clear.
- Begin downsizing early. The right senior living community will provide spacious living arrangements for its residents. Nevertheless, it is likely that there will be less room than in their previous home. If this is the case, they will need to make some important decisions about what they will bring and what they may need to part ways with. Downsizing can be an emotional process and is made all the more difficult when it is done in a rush. One way to tackle this is to start making weekly trips to a donation drop-off location so the task stays on track and the belongings will be put to good use.
If you would like to learn more about a non-profit Ontario senior living community with spacious cottages and apartments, contact Inland Christian Home. Call us today at (909) 983-0084 or reach us online.