Ease into Life at Cedarhurst with a Loved One by Your Side

With all of its advantages, it’s no wonder many adults are adding community living into their retirement plans. Senior living communities such as Cedarhurst are designed to enhance a healthy and active lifestyle, offering additional assistance or support as needed. Residents can enjoy numerous amenities, meet new friends, and live a maintenance-free lifestyle thanks to such communities, making them an excellent option for virtually every type of adult.

But despite all the benefits of life in a senior living community, making the move is still a big change, and it’s common to feel a mix of emotions during the moving and rightsizing process. The move to senior living feels unfamiliar, which is why easing the transition into life at Cedarhurst has been one of our long-standing goals.

We’ve designed a few programs to reassure new residents as they begin their Cedarhurst lifestyle. Our one-of-a-kind Pair to Prepare™ program helps ease nerves by adding a familiar face to the transition process, and our Cedarhurst Promise™* gives a money-back guarantee if the transition isn’t what you hoped it would be.

Why Pair to Prepare™?

At Cedarhurst, we’re always looking for new ways to support our residents. We do this by asking a lot of questions, listening more than speaking, and observing the challenges that residents might face.

The Move-In Jitters, aka Relocation Stress

In the past, we noticed that though residents were often a part of the decision to move to their Cedarhurst home, some felt more and more nervous as moving day approached. We found that they were sometimes nervous about how they would make new friends or whether they would feel welcomed by their neighbors. Other times, they were nervous about getting into the routine of community life or about living in a new environment. 

This is common, of course, and has even been documented as relocation stress, sometimes referred to as transfer trauma. Relocation stress syndrome can cause increased anxiety, decreased appetite, and even acute confusion during the first few weeks after a move. Fortunately, there are interventions that have been shown to decrease symptoms of relocation stress. 

The Solution: A Family Affair

The biggest factor in healthy moves? Family involvement. 

Because moving day is already a family affair for most new residents, we decided that having dinner together the first evening in their new home simply wasn’t enough. We wondered what would happen if we invited family members to stay with their loved one for a few days to ease the transition, help with the unpacking process, and generally get everyone feeling more settled. 

Thus, the Pair to Prepare™ program was born, and Cedarhurst residents have had more peaceful moves and less relocation stress since it started.

What Is Pair to Prepare™?

Pair to Prepare™ is Cedarhurst’s answer to relocation stress. With a loved one nearby to help with the move and transition during those first few days, residents are more relaxed and more open to attending programs and activities right away. 

Family members participate in community life with their loved one as they both become more familiar with the Cedarhurst team, residents, and neighborhood. The new resident and their loved one are invited to attend all meals together in the community dining spaces, including a welcome dinner in the main dining room with the executive director. 

We encourage new residents and their family members to join in group events and programs and even take a complimentary trip for two to the salon and barbershop. Plus, their loved one is there to help finish up the unpacking, helping decide which cabinets to put the coffee cups in and where to hang a favorite photo on the wall. 

Benefits of Pair to Prepare™

Since we started the program, it has been a hit among our new residents and their families. Our existing residents also love it because having a loved one around can lead to new conversations and relationships. Even if new residents don’t take advantage of the program, they’re less nervous as moving day approaches simply because they know the option is there if they need it.

Benefits for Residents

We have noticed residents are less apprehensive and more excited about moving in, which makes the transition to community living even easier. Residents are also more likely to attend group programs sooner, giving them a head start on meeting new friends, discovering new interests, and establishing new routines.

Pair to Prepare™ residents are also more likely to eat well during the transition because they’re calmer and less nervous. Even better, residents are more likely to confidently head into the on-site restaurants with their loved one by their side. This can help with making new friends around the dining room table.

Finally, residents who take advantage of the program are less likely to feel disoriented in their new home and routine after spending those crucial initial days with their loved one beside them.

Benefits for Family Members

Family members also love Pair to Prepare™. Family members have found that the program gives them an inside glimpse into daily life at Cedarhurst, which helps them ask better questions when they visit or call to check in. Family members also get a unique chance to meet the community’s team members and neighbors who will become a staple in the lives of their loved one.

Settle into Life at Cedarhurst

We’re always looking for better ways to meet the needs of our residents and their family members—the Pair to Prepare™ program is just one example of this exclusive programming. We want life at Cedarhurst to be as enjoyable and rewarding as possible for everyone, which is one reason we prioritize helping residents feel at home as soon as they arrive.

Moving to a senior living community such as Cedarhurst is the beginning of a brand-new stage in life, which is exciting but can also be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, you’re not alone. With nearly every convenience available and support when necessary, Cedarhurst goes above and beyond to elevate care from the very first visit. Learn more about our senior living communities and find out if life at Cedarhurst is right for your senior family member.

This post was originally published in January 2022 and updated in October 2024.

*Cedarhurst Promise™ program is only available at the advertised community. Not applicable for respite or other short-term stays. Refund is available only if move out is a result of dissatisfaction with Cedarhurst community as documented throughout the stay. Complete refund includes base rent, level of care charges, and community fee. Ancillary services fees (ex. additional transportation, pet fees, and laundry charges) do not qualify for a refund. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please contact the community for additional details. Void where prohibited.