Easing the Move to Retirement Community Living

June 15, 2022 | Resources

Moving is without doubt a stressful experience, full of physical and emotional challenges.

Complicating the move to a retirement community is the additional stressor of having to downsize and thin our collection of possessions, many of which carry a lifetime of memories.

There are, however, strategies we can use to ease this transition. An initial understanding that this move is fraught with emotion—and that it’s perfectly fine to allow ourselves to experience a wide range of feelings—is a healthy place to start.

Here are some specific ways to help stay focused on the positive and smooth the transition to life in a retirement community.

Stay at your new community. Many communities have a “guest apartment” and will allow you to stay for a night or two to get used to campus life before you move in.
Begin to connect with new neighbors. Meeting fellow residents will help you feel more engaged with your new community. Getting together for coffee at the Bistro or a walk in the gardens will set the stage for future friendships and good times.
Plan you new space. Many communities help with downsizing and staging of furniture and décor in your new home. Making your new space your own, just as you want it to be, will help you feel more comfortable and in control of your new environment.
Engage in campus activities. Senior living communities offer a multitude of wellness classes, arts and cultural events, and holiday celebrations. Taking part in the community fun will help ease you into the rhythms of life on campus.
Bring a friend or family member. Visiting campus with someone you know, love, and trust can help make your transition smoother. Exploring campus together, you can experience new places with your loved one, helping you feel safe and cared for. It’s reassuring, too, to know that your connections to friends and family will still be in place after your move.
Share a meal on campus. Having a meal with residents will help you meet new neighbors and connect with dining staff.
Meet other staff members. Introducing yourself to community staff will help you get acquainted with campus life and the good people who make things run smoothly for residents.
Have a plan for moving. When new experiences seem a bit overwhelming, having a plan can help us feel more in control. Even a simple checklist can give us some sense of direction.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Community staff—as well as friends and family—will help make coordinating your move and transition an easier one.
Keep up existing wider community connections and friendships. If you were an active member of your local theater group or on the board of your town’s library, maintain and nurture those ties and commitments.

It may also be helpful to reflect on—or even jot down—the reasons why you’re making your move to retirement community living to help stay focused and positive.

Yes, there will be things about your current home that you’ll miss, but yard work, housecleaning, and snow shoveling are most likely not among them!

Exciting opportunities for friendships, activities, fitness, and fun await you in your new home and community!

At Foxwood Springs retirement community, we’re small enough that you’ll see familiar faces everywhere. And large enough that you’ll explore exceptional experiences at every turn. Come join our group of very active residents, who participate in clubs and groups, lend their experience to community government, and volunteer for favorite causes, both on and off campus. Visit our secluded oasis in the perfect suburban location, with easy access to all the places you want to explore, all the friends you want to meet, and all the discoveries you want to make.