Moving into a senior living community can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming, whether you’re the one moving or assisting a loved one. Change is difficult for people of all ages, but it tends to get more difficult as we age and become more acclimated to our routines. For many seniors, when they move into Senior Living, they are leaving behind their family home, filled with treasured memories and belongings. It can be an emotional experience.
Downsizing to Senior Living? Tips to Make Your Apartment Feel Like Home
We’re here to provide some suggestions to help you settle in more easily and make your senior living apartment feel like home. By adding personal touches and beloved belongings you’re your previous home, you or a loved one can quickly acclimate and feel more comfortable and at peace in your new space.
Approach downsizing with compassion 
Moving to a new, comparable-sized property is one thing, but having to get rid of or store a large portion of your belongings is quite another. This is often the case when seniors go from a large family home or condo to a one-bedroom apartment or studio in assisted living. Sorting through personal items may need a significant amount of time and attention.
The best way to start is by considering the objects you or your loved one are most passionate about keeping. You can offer to keep some of these objects for them, incorporate some of these items into their new assisted living room, or move heirlooms to other family members to ensure that they continue in the family. They’ll most likely have limited room in their new home, so promising them that you’ll help them store or re-home goods they don’t use regularly may alleviate some of their pain at having to leave so much of their tangible history behind.
Bring memories from your previous home
You might be able to arrange areas to resemble your previous house or the house of a loved one. To give your loved one more comfort and peace of mind when they retire for the night, use familiar bedding, furniture, and décor in the bedroom or sleeping space.
Every home needs a few treasured artifacts to make it unique. Framed photos of loved ones, friends, and souvenirs may bring back wonderful memories for you or a loved one while also sparking conversations with new neighbors. For items that are irreplaceable, but too large for your new space, consider gifting them to a trusted family member. These family heirlooms are sure to be loved for generations!
Get active in the community 
You’ll soon be experiencing life to the fullest in your new apartment, including making new memories and having fun with friends. The more involved you are in your new home, whether it is through painting class, adding new photos to your collection, or discovering a new hobby or interest to include in your daily routines, the more at ease you will feel.
After you or a loved one has moved in, it’s time to take advantage of all the social opportunities that come with retired living. Consider dining in common areas with other residents, attending community activities, and conversing with your neighbors.
Even when you start meeting new people, it’s critical to maintain contact with those outside your residence. Once you’ve moved in, invite people to your new space and offer to show them around the area. Remember to introduce them to your new neighbors and friends!
Give it time
Don’t be concerned if it takes some time to feel comfortable in your new home; it’s very natural to feel a little out of place at first. The team at Radiant Senior Living Communities will always go above and beyond to make you or a loved one feel at ease. Once you’ve put these tips into action, your new apartment will quickly feel like home.
