Moving to senior living can look doable on paper, but once the big moving day arrives, things can soon feel overwhelming. Not to mention emotional.
That’s why it’s vital to plan. Staying organized can help make that transition easier.
We’re here to help. We’ve put together this complete checklist for transitioning to senior living. Keep this guide handy for your retirement planning.
Book a Tour
The first step in any senior living planning guide is to view your new home. It’s easier to embrace a significant life change, such as senior living, if you can visualize it beforehand, and the best way to do that is via a tour. On your tour, check:
- The layout and features of the private living quarters
- The outdoor space
- The costs
- Safety features like good lighting, handrails, and wide walkways
- Dining, lounge areas, and other communal spaces
Don’t forget to speak to the staff. You’ll be able to build a rapport with the team, who will put you at ease.
Check the Care Options
Make sure the care provision matches your needs. A good match means you won’t need to worry about care gaps, leaving you without the independence you desire. Ask questions on:
- Whether they offer personalized care
- Any specialist support you need, like memory care
- Daily assistance support like housekeeping and medication management
Always choose a community that has comprehensive care support. That way, the support package can adapt to your changing needs.
Senior Living Transition Tips: Sort Your Finances
After visiting a senior living community, you should have a clearer idea of the costs of your support package. It’s now time to plan your financial source. It might be one source of a combination of:
- Long-term care insurance
- Savings
- Family support
- Funding from assets like a house sale
It’s good to plan early to ease the stress and worry about budgeting for your care. Always ensure that funding is sufficient to support you if your needs change.
Complete Any Admin Tasks
You’ll have paperwork to complete for your transition to senior living. Get everything together you need so you can make a list of what you need to complete. Admin tasks might include:
- Medical forms
- Insurance documentation
- Financial information
- Legal information like your will and family contacts
You’ll also have administrative tasks to complete after your move, like changing your address details. Make that list now so you have it to hand.
Contact Your Healthcare Provider
One step that needs close attention is moving your medical information across. It’s vital that your assisted living team has your medical details on day one when you arrive and that your doctor knows your new residence.
The information you pass to your senior living team will depend on what they need for your care package, but it will include details such as your doctor’s contact information and your current medication.
Speak to the Assisted Living Team About Specific Needs
Your new home should feel welcoming from day one, and often, the little touches can help make that happen. So speak to the team about personal needs you’d like arranged for when you move.
That might include things like:
- Housekeeping
- Assistance with your moving day
- Specific meal preferences like vegetarian meals
- Transportation services like an upcoming medical appointment
Doing this in advance means you can relax and enjoy your new home when you arrive without worrying about arrangements. And it also helps the team prepare for your arrival.
Start Sorting Through Your Belongings
Before you can pack, and long before moving day, you must spend time decluttering and sorting your belongings. Think about sorting items into:
- Broken belongings to throw away
- Old belongings to donate to charity
- Items to sell
- Precious belongings to give to family
- Things to keep and take with you
Lightening the load will make your new home feel easier to manage and make the move more straightforward. Measure your new residence to ensure you have floor space for specific furniture you want to take.
Keep your most personal treasures, like family photos, close by in a separate box so you can unpack them immediately and start making your new space feel like home.
Steps for Senior Transition: Embracing Social Events
Getting involved in your new community will help you make friends and transition from your old life. So don’t put it off.
Use the time before your move to find out what activities are on offer in your new senior living residence, and circle the ones that are of most interest. Speak to a member of staff to find out whether you need to book these in advance or just turn up on the day.
Book the Moving Company
No senior living checklist guide would be complete without a mention of moving day. Moving is often a stressful experience, but so many small steps can make it less so.
First, ensure you have a trustworthy moving company secured for the day, and always choose one that has lots of positive reviews. You should also ask your senior living community what assistance they can offer.
Secondly, keep family and friends on hand to help. Even if you don’t need their support to move bulky furniture, you may need their emotional support as you say goodbye to your old life and family home.
Find Out About Orientation
Speak to someone on your assisted living team about booking an orientation for when you arrive. Knowing your way around your new community will help ease the transition.
Remember to ask about practical information such as serving times for dining and how to book things like transportation services. Make sure you know your contact points and how and when you can reach them.
Your Complete Checklist for Transitioning to Senior Living
There is much to do before moving to senior living, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be complicated. Use this checklist for transitioning to senior living to help you stay on track with your planning.
This is also the perfect time for you to book a tour around our impressive senior living community here at Redbud Place Assisted Living. With caring, supportive staff and beautiful surroundings, you’ll find that it provides the perfect match for what you’d envisaged for your retirement days.
