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Change can be hard, whether it’s your grandchild starting their first day of kindergarten, your child moving into their first house, or your best friend adopting a dog.
Our routines make life feel predictable and manageable, but change disrupts them. It’s no wonder that even life’s most positive changes—getting a pet, getting married, or moving to a fabulous new home—can feel so overwhelming.
Moving into a senior living community is similar. You may feel a range of emotions: excitement, anxiety, stress, and more. Like other changes, though, there’s a huge payoff. The right community can preserve your independence, improve your quality of life, and free up more time to do what you love most.
If you’re the child or family member of someone moving into senior living, you may find that the right community restores a sense of balance to your relationship, relieving worries about caregiving and long-term support so that you can again focus on enjoying your time together. In fact, most of our residents and their families say they wish they had moved sooner.
You may soon be singing the same tune, but first, you have to navigate the challenges of a big transition. We’re here for you, to support you, so don’t shy away from reaching out. Need some guidance to navigate this exciting (and occasionally intimidating) change?
Here’s what years of experience have taught us about moving into a senior living community.
As with any change, uncertainty can be a major source of anxiety. You’ll find the move easier if you spend some time getting to know the community.
Gather a list of upcoming community events you’d like to attend, so you have something to look forward to after moving day. If possible, spend some time in the community before your move. This gives you a chance to make new friends, get to know the community culture, and begin building a sense of comfort and familiarity even before you move in.
Some other strategies that can help make preparations more manageable include:
They may have a specific time at which you should move in, and they may also offer tips and additional support that can make the transition feel more manageable.
Are there items you have at home that you won’t need in a new community? For example, many communities build grab bars and other safety systems into showers, so you won’t need to take these items with you.
Consider making packing into a fun family event rather than the drudgery you worry it might be. For example, you could schedule a family movie day and pack while you watch old favorites.
This gives you more time to assess whether you miss (and want to keep) the items you put in storage. Some people also use the transition to a new community as a chance to give their loved ones beloved items now. If you plan to bequeath heirlooms, consider doing it before the move.
This can build a sense of excitement for a new home. Buying a few pieces you love, or even just investing in some cute new storage boxes, can help build anticipation.
In many families, a crisis is the trigger for a move. You might be doing most of the packing on behalf of a loved one who needs to move quickly.
If you’re moving someone else under pressure, the following strategies can help:
Moving day will be here before you know it—and it can fly by faster than you anticipated!
Your first few days will feel most comfortable if you can get the majority of your unpacking done quickly, so plan to start early on moving day. That means getting a good night’s sleep the night before and a healthy, nourishing breakfast that will keep you going during the day. Some people like to order take-out from their favorite breakfast joint, then enjoy a big meal with their family before they get going.
Some strategies that can help move-in day proceed as smoothly as possible include:
Get clear commitments from loved ones who are going to help you move, and assign duties ahead of time. If you’re moving lots of boxes or heavy items, hire movers if you can. Even if you could move everything on your own, outsourcing some of the work will mean you have more energy to unpack and enjoy your new space.
Dehydration and hunger can dampen your spirit and make the move more stressful than it needs to be.
This is a great time to meet your new neighbors, who will be curious about you. They may even offer some help, a handful of community pro tips, or a snack or two.
Focus on unpacking, assembling, and setting up the biggest items while you have help. This principle especially applies to furniture! Tackling the biggest items first will make the rest of the unpacking feel manageable, and it means you’ll be less likely to live out of boxes for weeks.
They’re the experts on moving into a senior living community. They can assist with navigating the transition, setting up and making the most of your new home, and handling tasks such as moving boxes. They’re there to help!
What changes have been most difficult for you? Do any specific triggers, such as hunger, tend to cause stress reactions? Knowing yourself can help you develop a plan for self-care that makes moving better—and potentially even fun.
According to one of the world’s best-known stress scales, some of life’s most stressful events are also some of its most positive ones—pregnancy, getting married, and buying a home, for example.
Moving also ranks pretty high on the list, so don’t be surprised if it takes some time to adjust to your new home and your new lifestyle. Trust yourself and your ability to make good decisions even when it takes time to acclimate. Be prepared for first-day (and second- and third-day) jitters.
Some strategies that can prove especially helpful include:
What tactics have helped you the most during previous transitions? Try putting together an emergency self-care bag that has your favorite snacks, some easy activities, and any items that always boost your mood.
This way you don’t have to go digging for your favorite sweater at bedtime or worry about locating your medication.
You might have a small family gathering, start a new book, or order take-out from your favorite restaurant.
This creates an inviting space that immediately feels more like home. It also creates a conversation piece that can help you easily strike up a chat with your new neighbors.
Head down to the dining room for a meal, or introduce yourself to the folks who live next door. This can help you begin building a meaningful sense of community that will inspire you to get out, get involved, and get started living your best life.
You've done the research and picked a community you love. Now it's time to focus on moving day. You're just a few steps away from your new lifestyle!
As you prepare for your move, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed with all the packing, organizing, and rightsizing. Don't tackle this alone! Ask a few family members to help out or consider hiring a professional who is experienced with senior moves.
Be sure you are staying in communication with your senior living community as well. You'll be able to coordinate the moving day logistics as well as get vetted recommendations for moving companies or other professionals who will make the transition as smooth as possible.
Moving day is busy, just like any major move. However, when you move to senior living, rest assured that there is an entire experienced team ready to make the process easy for you. You can choose to supervise, or you might prefer to begin experiencing life in your new home by attending an event, grabbing a meal with family members, or exploring campus while others handle the moving details for you.
Whether you’re spearheading the move or just along for the ride, you’re a vital ingredient in the recipe for a successful move. A little extra TLC in the first few weeks can help ease the transition as your loved one settles into their new lifestyle.
Even the most outgoing social butterfly can struggle to meet people in a new setting. Multiply your social skills by two with the Pair to Prepare™ program, where residents invite someone to stay in the community with them during their first few days, free of charge, to help ease the transition.
Make a list of community events to attend together, and schedule a time to catch up on the phone or in person. Text to check in throughout the day. Then let your loved one set the pace and tone of communication. If they seem anxious, reach out more. But if they seem annoyed or distracted, it may be a sign that they need a little less support.
Don’t be dismissive if your loved one seems anxious or uncertain—or even angry or resentful. Telling your loved one to calm down or insisting that they remain positive does not make the negative feelings go away, but talking about them and problem-solving together might.
This is your loved one’s one and only life. They are entitled to the full range of human emotions about this change and about all of their experiences.
Try attending community events with your loved one or helping them plan their social calendar. If you’re more extroverted than your loved one, you may be especially helpful in facilitating social connections.
You can also serve as a point of contact and communication for updates on the move. Try sending out emails or texts to keep everyone in the loop and encourage people to schedule a time to drop by.
You might feel exhausted by the move itself, worry about whether this is the right decision, or even feel guilty. Maybe you feel relieved because you no longer have to offer so much support. Or perhaps you’re worried about whether you’ll be able to help your loved one navigate the transition.
No matter what you feel, it’s the right way to feel. Our emotions are just feelings, not facts. And you, like your loved one, are entitled to the full range of human expression. However, because this is their transition and not yours, it’s important to find healthy ways to manage your own feelings.
Try some of the following strategies:
You can’t adapt to a new routine, a new place, or a new community overnight, and you shouldn’t have to. Most of our residents say they wish they had moved earlier, and they can’t believe the benefits of a great community. That doesn’t necessarily mean they felt that day from day one.
Making a decision about your future can be difficult, and we know you may feel anxious about what to expect—and how long it will take to adjust. Rest assured that you’ve made a great choice. The right community is a path to an enriched life with less stress, more time to do what you love, deeper and less conflicted relationships with family members, and a meaningful sense of community.
Some strategies to ease your anxiety include:
Our relationships make life worth living. They also help us navigate transitions. Our innovative Pair to Prepare™ program encourages residents to select a loved one to stay with them for the first few days, at no additional charge, as they become acclimated to our welcoming community.
Email questions or ask them in person. Attend community events. Deepen your understanding of what to expect when you move. This empowers you to focus on moving and building a schedule you love rather than wondering where to eat or what to expect day to day.
Get to know a few long-time residents to get the inside scoop on what to expect and how to make the most of community life. Then you’ll have ready-made connections when you move in, plus someone to go to when you need advice or tips on the best activities. Community events are a great place to make friends before moving in.
Each team member’s job is to make life better and easier for residents, so don’t shy away from reaching out as needed.
Ready to take the plunge? Hoping to live life to its fullest without all the work and hassle? Let us show you what senior living can do for you—and how you don’t have to handle the process of moving alone. Find a community near you and schedule a tour today!
