When you are in your 30s or 20s, moving into a new home can be exciting because it always looks like an adventure. But it’s different when you are a senior citizen. Moving out of the place you have known as home for many decades can be challenging. Transitioning to a senior living community can leave you feeling anxious and isolated, especially if you do not have a strong support system.
Still, it doesn’t have to be a stressful affair. Here are a few tips on smoothly transitioning and adjusting to your new life in a senior living community.
Allow Yourself Time
After decades of spending an active lifestyle in the comfort of your home and concentrating on your career, family, or other interests, moving into a senior living community, like Vivante living, is a significant change. Do not expect yourself to get used to the new environment immediately. At this point, every emotion is acceptable. Before adjusting, you may feel overwhelmed with emotions every once in a while, but that’s okay. These feelings subside with time. Have a positive mindset, validate your feelings, and ignore the myths that living in a senior home means no freedom. You do have the freedom to say no to any program you do not wish to participate in.
It also helps to decorate your room to pass the time and personalize your space. You can also engage your family members to assist you in decorating your room. You can keep any items that are sentimental to you displayed in your space. These may include photographs or gifts that bring happy memories and help you reminisce about the good times.
Meet Your Neighbors
The best part about living in a senior home is that you get to live among people with similar experiences to yours, which makes it easier for you to make friends. Get friendly with your neighbor and talk about your experiences. Since they may have been there longer than you, they may give you insights on the best activities to participate in, the best restaurant menus available, and the best ways of settling in. Having a close friend you can talk to about anything, including your fears, can help you process your emotions better.
Interests And Hobbies
Most senior living facilities have a variety of activities to choose from. Go through their activity calendar and choose something that resonates with your liking. The activity calendar will include gardening, book, and travel clubs, among other programs.
These activities not only engage your mind but also help you make new friends at the facility.
Most homes provide a concierge to help you settle in. You can engage the concierge in your preferred activities. Once you’ve settled on a club you would like to join, build a routine around these activities.
Talk To A Therapist
If you are having a rough time adjusting, even after trying the above tips, it may be time to talk to a counselor. Counseling is a perfect way to work through your emotions and learn new coping skills that will ground you as you start your new life.
Counseling sessions are confidential, so feel free to share your fears and emotions. You also want to be truthful about how you feel about the whole situation.
Hire A Geriatric Care Manager
A senior or geriatric manager is a professional that specializes in the aging industry. You can engage one to assist you with any issues associated with old age. Most geriatric care managers are licensed, social workers and nurses. They collaborate with care homes and help you get the best care possible, choose the best senior living home, or make plans. Although they are pricey as they charge per hour, your interaction with them does not need to take long hours. You just engage them when the need arises.
Have A Self-Care Routine
Self-care is essential, especially during a transitioning period. There’s no better way to maintain physical and mental health fitness than by having a self-care routine. Set aside time for yourself and enjoy any of the activities below for relaxation.
Try chair yoga for seniors, join the community gym, read a novel, listen to your favorite movie, talk to friends and family, and get enough rest every night. Self-care always has a way of leaving you energized.
Invite Family And Friends
One of the biggest fears of senior citizens is that once they are in a senior living community, they will lose contact with their families. However, the truth is that old living facilities encourage these visits regularly, and most have banquet areas set aside for this reason. Senior citizens can also visit their friends outside the home for the elderly. You can always share special occasions with your loved ones. Your friends and family form a huge emotional support network that you need.
Conclusion
Sometimes, how well you adjust to your new surroundings depends on how much time you take to look when choosing the right senior living home for you. As a result, before you settle for one, make sure you do an extensive search. You can always talk to a senior living specialist if you’re still in doubt.
