Transitioning to Assisted Living: Coping with Change and Finding Comfort

An estimated 77% of adults aged 50 and older want to age at home. However, many will find that they don't have the accommodations or support they need until they transition to an assisted living community.

Here at Highland Place Assisted Living, we're always thrilled to welcome new residents, but we understand that new residents aren't always as excited. Moving can be stressful, and adjusting to senior living is a unique experience.

Coping with the change to assisted living is possible. Read on for our top tips to use during your transition to assisted living.

Navigating the Move to Assisted Living

Taking the early stages one step at a time can be both calming and empowering. Let's go through four key assisted living tips that will make the transition from your old home to your new one a little easier.

Determine Your Budget

Financial stress can cause seniors to feel more reluctant about moving into an assisted living community. It's often useful to consult an accountant or estate planner to determine a realistic budget. A financial professional can assess all available assets, including:

Savings accounts
Investments
Retirement funds
Salable property like homes and cars

Keep in mind that assisted living costs will cover more than just housing. Your monthly bill may also include things like food, transportation, recreation, and more. However, pricing models will vary from one community to another.

Find the Right Senior Living Community

Many seniors express doubts about assisted living because they assume there's a one-size-fits-all approach to senior living. With over 30,000 residential care communities nationwide, there are more differences than you may realize.

By getting an early start, you can research a variety of communities to find the perfect fit. Take into account things like:

Cost
Location
Available services and tiers of care
On-campus amenities
Community culture and values
Rules and regulations

Consider making a must-have list to narrow down your options. For example, any senior with a pet should only look at pet-friendly communities like Highland Place Assisted Living.

Decide What to Bring

Once you've picked your community and your floor plan, it's time to start thinking about downsizing. Enlist the help of your family members or local organizations to start sorting through your belongings and decide what to keep, what to throw away, what to give away, and what to donate.

We recommend bringing more than the essentials to your assisted living apartment. Don't overlook the importance of moving things that will make your new space feel like home, like your favorite artwork, decor, and family photos.

Get Through Moving Day

Hiring professional movers for your moving day is a great way to cut down on stress. This reduces the risk of losing or breaking belongings. It also means that you can focus on saying goodbye to your old house before embarking on your next big journey.

Emotional support for seniors can come in many forms. You may want to have family members or friends by your side or you may prefer to speak with a spiritual guide. Talking to someone you trust about your fears, concerns, or feelings of grief can make those feelings much easier to bear.

Coping With the Change to Assisted Living

Most new residents won't acclimate overnight, but there are a few things you can do to feel comfortable faster in your new home. Here are four action items we encourage residents to try in their first few weeks in our community.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

When you're in a new environment, it can feel a bit intimidating to get to know new people. However, making an effort to socialize is an important part of promoting good mental and cognitive health.

In an apartment-style assisted living community like Highland Place, you'll have plenty of other retirees living on your floor. Not only are you bound to make lasting friendships by getting to know your neighbors, but doing so allows you to commune with people who have been through the same situation as you and can offer insight.

Meet the Staff

In your first few days, you'll also have ample opportunities to get to know the staff. Staff members will play an important role in your daily life in assisted living, fulfilling duties like:

Helping with activities of daily living
Providing medication management assistance
Planning events and group meals

Feel free to ask staff members any questions you may have about your living quarters, amenities, or campus rules and regulations.

Maintain Positive Habits

Though the transition to assisted living can seem all-encompassing, not everything has to change now that you're in a new environment. If you had positive, healthy habits in your old home, incorporate them into your new home.

This includes things like hobbies, many of which you may be able to enjoy with other residents. You may also find that you can stick to your routine with relative ease, and slight adjustments (like dining with others rather than alone) may be an improvement.

Learn About Your New Community

One of the many benefits of moving to an assisted living community is the regular roster of events and activities. For example, Highland Place Assisted Living offers amenities such as:

On-campus events like group classes and game nights
Outings in Inverness and the surrounding area
On-campus library access

Participating in community activities is a great way to have fun, meet new people, and make yourself at home.

Highland Place Assisted Living: Ensuring a Smooth Transition

If you're feeling nervous about moving into an assisted living community, you're not alone. Though many new residents express reservations, they often find that coping with the change to assisted living is easier than they thought, especially in a community like Highland Place.

Highland Place Assisted Living is a top choice for Florida seniors. Not only do we offer easy access to beautiful spots like Withlacochee State Forest, but our professional staff makes life on campus a blast.