Tips for Choosing a Good Retirement Community

A retirement community is a good thing to move into. However, knowing ways to choose the best retirement community to move into can ensure that you’re happy with the outcome. Not all retirement communities are rating the same.

Here are some tips to get you started so you can make the best decision.

  1. Do your research on more than one community. This will give you a choice when it comes to having to choose just one. Know more about each of the ones within the area that you’d consider moving too.
  2. Visit each of the options. This will help you narrow down which ones you might want to live at. When you’re able to see them in person, you can get a feel for what they provide and how they are with their residents.
  3. Find out what each of them provides. You may want to move into a community that provides you with activities, or you might want one that has an independent living feel to it. Knowing what each of the communities offers helps you choose which one you’d like to go with.
  4. Consider each of the units that are available. Is it more like a large apartment building with separate units? Do you just have a room? Is it filled with smaller home-like surroundings? Depending on your needs and wants, one might be better suited for you over another.
  5. Make sure it is in the area that you want to live in. You might not want to be too far away from family and friends. By choosing a place that is somewhat close to where you want to be, you’ll feel more comfortable living there.
  6. Talk to the residents of the communities to find out how they enjoy living there. They can give you some insight on what to expect if you were to move into them.

When moving day arrives, make sure to grab some help from a moving company. Once you make your decision, you can feel better about the move ahead of you.

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Tips for Moving to a Retirement Community

Moving to a retirement community can be an exciting time. Not only are going to be living where things can get handled, without having you do them but you can make new friends. These communities are revolved around those that would like an extra helping hand, great conversations with other like-minded people, as well as organized activities, so that everyone can get out.

Knowing some tips for moving into one can make the transition much easier.

  1. Pack up only what you’ll need and sell the rest. You may want a few suitcases to bring with you. Pictures, mementoes, clothing, decorative items, electronics and such are ideal. Large furniture is generally not required in a new community setting, though you can bring them.
  2. Sell the home you’re currently living in, if need be. If you’re renting, having cleaners come and clean it up before moving out entirely is recommended.
  3. Visit the new community two or three times before moving in. This will get you acquainted with many of the other people living there, the activities that they have, as well as the layout of the area.
  4. Notify everyone of the move beforehand. You will want to change the addresses on your mail, as well as give those near to you a contact number and address so that you’re able to be reached, if needed.
  5. Create your own space within the community. You want to ensure that this is a place you can call home. By putting up your items from your previous home, you can ensure that you feel much more comfortable living there.
  6. Know the routine. You want to set off on the right foot. Know what you need to do, if there is anything you need to sign up for and if they provide meals, what time these are served at.

Moving can be daunting, especially into a new retirement community. However, they can also be rewarding when you make the most of your move and prepare ahead of time.

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Reducing Anxiety During the Holidays

It’s that time of year once again where many people begin feeling festive and full of the holiday spirit. For many seniors, the holidays are a time of anxiety because there is so much to do or so much going on around them. Family time is a nice way to spend the holidays but quite often, seniors without immediate family can feel left out and alone during the season. This is especially true for those who may have just relocated to a retirement community or other senior living space. During times like this, it is good to try to keep spirits up by helping those that we know feel part of the festivities to maintain happiness and keep anxiety and depression at bay.

To help keep your spirit up or to help someone you know, try to incorporate something fun into an otherwise lonely schedule. You could try:

  • Making homemade holiday cards with construction paper, markers and glitter sticks. It is also fun to design cards online and print them out.
  • Bake homemade goodies. Tis the season for homemade fudge and if you ask, you may find that you know someone with a great recipe for fudge, seasonal candies or other baked goods.
  • Have a movie night complete with popcorn and friends or family. Watching a good classic film is a great way to spend an evening

You may also want to try one or more of the following to help keep seasonal cheer thriving and chase the blues and anxiety away.

Include Everyone

If you live in a retirement community, be sure to include all the residents in parties and social gatherings. Even if someone says they don’t want to attend, try to ease them into coming along for a little fun. Many seniors try to stay alone when they are new to a community and sometimes it takes a little coaxing to get them to open up.

Keep Expenses Down

A great deal of seniors may be on a very tight budget and trying to impress them with an expensive gift can make them feel bad. It is depressing when someone feels they must reciprocate a gift by spending more than their monthly allowance allows.

Talk About the Good Old Days

In case you haven’t noticed, one of the greatest things about seniors is the fact that their lives have been interesting. Encourage those around you to talk about their past Christmases or their most memorable holiday festivities. This is a wonderful way to share in their memories while making new memories along the way.

No matter what you do this holiday season, be sure to take careful consideration of those around you. Make time to be there for those in the retirement community or the assisted living homes. Seniors enjoy communication, and when you take the time to bring a little holiday cheer to someone’s life, you are bound to feel cheered yourself.

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