When we’re young, transitioning to the next step in life feels natural and exciting — the first day of school, moving to college or buying our first home.
But as we age and life becomes comfortable, moving on can bring us more complex emotions-apprehension, worry, and many questions about whether we are doing the right thing.
That’s why we’ve put together this simple assisted living guide. Before you move to our assisted living community in McKinney, take these simple steps to help you transition easily.
Step One: Research the Best McKinney Senior Living Community
To find the right community, you must assess your needs to find the most suitable senior care options. Practical considerations, like day-to-day support with housekeeping, may be high on your list.
There will also be factors such as the location and how close the community is to family.
Amenities in a community will also require careful consideration. You want an environment that offers plenty of variety, with activities and services on hand every day to help you live the fullest life.
All this information will help you put together a list of priorities that you can use to identify the most suitable assisted living community for you.
Step Two: Create a Financial Plan
Before moving to assisted living, you’ll need to create a budget. You must plan how you’ll pay for your long-term care when living in an assisted community for seniors.
You might have assets you’ll use to cover the care, like selling your home. You may also have savings and pensions that you have set aside for these retirement years.
Check the costs of an assisted living community and how they match your budget. Many will have different fees and pricing structures, so bear that when comparing like-for-like.
Step Three: Start Your Planning Early
Being organized during a big transition like this is well worth it. It will reduce stress levels and prevent you from spending money on unexpected costs.
Start by organizing your current surroundings and living space. Declutter your home, sell anything you don’t need, and pass valuables on to relatives.
Speak to moving services about costs and logistics so that there is someone on hand to take charge of the day, as you won’t want to physically pack and move boxes yourself.
Ensure you have the times confirmed for your new residence, and let them know when your moving team will arrive.
Step 4: Review Important Paperwork
The first conversation you’ll want to have with an assisted living community, which should start before your move, is to discuss your medical requirements.
The care team will need to know what assistance you need, such as administering drugs or specialized care.
They’ll also need information about your doctor and other medical team members. Hence, they know who to contact if there is a health issue or an emergency.
You’ll also want to use this opportunity to exchange other necessary paperwork with your assisted living team. That might include information like power of attorney or estate planning.
Ensure you have all relevant personal identification documents and any financial information you need to provide to cover the costs of your new residence.
The community team may also want access to information like health insurance paperwork and family contact details.
Step Five: Reach Out to Family
It’s essential that your family feels involved in your transition to assisted living. They will want to help with your move and see you settle into your new home, so invite them to early tours and meet with the care team on your moving day.
You should also involve them in critical discussions that might affect them, such as medical decisions or financial support.
Family members will also want to learn more about the practical arrangements of your new community, such as when they can visit and how they can arrange events.
Always take the time to exchange contact details between family members and your new community team.
Step Six: Prepare Emotionally for the Move
Don’t underestimate the emotions that may run through you before, during, and after your move. They will probably have mixed feelings.
You may feel sad to say goodbye to parts of your old life, such as a home you have lived in for decades.
But it’s also important to tap into positive emotions about your move, such as excitement at a new environment, meeting new people, and trying all the community’s activities.
Let these emotions run through you and prepare to feel the occasional complex emotion like anxiety or fear. Always talk to family and friends about what you think; airing these thoughts will help you manage them.
Step Seven: Decorate Your New Home
Don’t forget that this new community, even if it feels unfamiliar, is your new, long-term home. So, take the time to make it feel personal. Enlist the help of family and friends to decorate the space and display personal belongings.
Keep essential items, like family photographs or cherished novels, close to hand during your move so they are easy to find.
Sometimes, a little thing can help you feel more at home, like using the same aromatherapy scent or propping up your bed with your favorite cushion, so don’t forget the small touches.
Step Eight: Get Involved
Settling into a community means getting involved with as much as possible. Everyone is different, so you don’t have to do everything on offer. Instead, find the ones that seem exciting or suit your tastes.
Perhaps you love the upbeat atmosphere of a quiz night. Or maybe you are a fitness fanatic and want to book yourself into an aerobics class. Grab the timetable and ensure those first few weeks are filled with fun activities.
Take the time to speak to other residents during these events to get to know your new neighbors.
Moving to an Assisted Living Community in Mckinney
When it’s time to move to our assisted living community in McKinney, start planning early. Thinking through each step will help you stay organized and stop the move from becoming overwhelming. Use these transition tips to guide you.
At Redbud Place in McKinney, we’ve created an environment that makes the transition easy. To find out how we can help plan your move, head here to view our living options and complete our contact form.
