A Guide for Transitioning to Senior Living

If you or a loved one has made the decision to transition to senior living, you’ve already taken an important step in improving safety, simplicity, and overall health in your life. There are several steps to complete before and during this transition, so taking them one at a time and doing your research can considerably reduce the stress of the process. There are plenty of helpful online resources on this subject, but this brief guide to transitioning to senior living can help you get started on understanding the main steps involved.

Downsizing

Whether you currently live in a condo or house, it’s likely that you’ll need to downsize somewhat so that your possessions will fit into your new home. Begin sorting through your belongings as early as possible and allow adequate time to do so. Although this process can be emotionally challenging, it can also be a liberating way to simplify your life. Consider offering items of sentimental value to loved ones. Keep comforting things you use and treasure on a daily basis, such as a favorite chair or teapot. You can find more downsizing tips here.

Selling Your Home

Selling homes was a laborious task before the arrival of the internet, but the process is now more streamlined. Start by researching realtors near you online; schedule interviews with likely matches before choosing one. Your realtor will post photos of your home on multiple real estate websites, reaching more prospective buyers. Important documents can be signed electronically from the comfort of your home. Create a start-to-finish timeline for this process and others, breaking each moving-related project into smaller ones so you can focus on one step at a time. 

Moving

If your loved ones are unable to assist you with moving, consider hiring professional movers from companies that specialize in senior moves. The National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM) is the leading membership organization for Move Managers. Be sure to do your own research as well: check the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) score as well as customer reviews on apps like Angi and Yelp. Legitimate movers will have a Department of Transportation (DOT) number, a website, and a physical address listed on the website. They should also be licensed, bonded, and insured, and employees should be background-checked.

Choose the moving company and services that best fit your budget and needs. Ask logistical questions upfront, such as how staff will communicate with you and how the process will work. If you purchase additional insurance, clarify which items are covered and the dollar amount of coverage for each. To minimize the cost and risk of professional packing services, consider packing as many small, breakable, or irreplaceable items yourself as you can.

If possible, ask a loved one to accompany you on moving day to make sure that everything goes smoothly. If you’ll be coordinating the moving day on your own, be sure that movers have an itemized list of your possessions, which should have corresponding numbered stickers. Communicate with the movers as much as possible the day of the move while still allowing them to get to work. Check that they have the correct new address before they begin making trips.

Getting Acclimated

Your first few days and weeks in your new senior living home and community can seem overwhelming at first, but you can take steps to make this process easier and more comfortable. One thing to consider is to ask friends, family, or a move management company to completely set up your apartment so it’s ready to live in the day you move in. This can make things a lot less overwhelming. Know what will help you the most, whether that’s joining communal activities right away or taking time to recover from the move. It can help to put your favorite wall art and other decor out first, have a celebratory meal with family or friends, or have a loved one help you unpack. Then, start exploring community amenities and joining offered activities.

Enjoying The Benefits Of Senior Living

Congratulations! The most difficult aspects of transitioning to senior living are over, and it’s time to start enjoying your new community. Many older adults don’t realize that there are actually many significant benefits to this lifestyle. These include:

• Eliminating difficult or unpleasant chores. Maintenance and other staff will now take care of many strenuous or mundane tasks for you, such as landscaping, building and appliance maintenance, cleaning, cooking, and waste disposal.
  

• New opportunities to socialize. Senior living communities typically offer a variety of regularly scheduled group activities. This provides an opportunity to find out what you and your neighbors may have in common and to make new friends. You may find that you actually feel more socially connected after the move than you did before it.
  

• Increased safety. Spaces and surfaces in senior living campuses are designed with senior needs in mind. Many feature wider hallways, convenient handrails, bathroom modifications, and other details that will make you less likely to get injured. Some communities also offer a range of medical services depending on your needs, from simple alert devices for accidents to assisted living services for basic daily functions. These can provide considerable peace of mind to you and your loved ones.
  

• Transportation services. With this amenity offered by most senior living communities, you won’t have to rely on a loved one for a ride or worry about driving yourself around safely on a daily basis. 
  

• Healthier lifestyle. Having meals prepared for you can make it easier to eat a more nutritious diet, and exercise facilities will help keep you moving if you use them regularly. The activities your community offers will help maintain both physical and mental health and provide plenty of stimulation.
  

If you’re near Valparaiso, Indiana and ready to make the move to a senior living community, consider choosing Pines Village Retirement Communities. At Pines Village, we celebrate life by enriching the lives of older adults. We pride ourselves on our culture, which is driven by a passion for serving the residents, visitors, and staff of Pines Village as well as the greater Valparaiso community. Explore our senior apartment availability, learn more about our assisted living options, or contact us with any questions today!

Why Now is the Right Time to Make the Move to Senior Living

If you have been considering making the move to a senior living community for some time, there is no better time than now to begin acting. There are many benefits of downsizing to a retirement community. Please take a look at the four reasons below to see why it may be the perfect time to make your big move and enjoy all the benefits of senior living today!

You Can Get a Great Price for Your Home in the Current Seller's Market

Take advantage of the current seller’s market and get an excellent price for your home. A combination of low inventory and lots of eager buyers will make your home a sought-after commodity. You can consult a senior real estate specialist for advice. In addition, your realtor will make suggestions on how to get your home on the market and get top dollar. One way of doing so is to be sure to have the house tidy, organized, and spruced up. If something needs to be replaced, like broken appliances, or the need to upgrade wiring, you can use a home warranty company to save money and have a team of professionals take care of the work. Also, don’t hesitate to ask your family and loved ones to lend a helping hand to get your house market-ready and cheer you on in your big move! 

You Can Get Settled in Before the Holidays

If you are debating about whether you should move now or later, think about the advantages of not putting it off. Moving now can help you settle into the comfort of your new community before the holidays and the new year. Coordinating family visits and celebrations during the holidays can be stressful enough. However, by considering a transition to senior living now, not only can you enjoy the convenience of senior living, but great activities too. It will also help you look forward to focusing on your family and holidays, rather than having to deal with moving plans next year.

You’ll No Longer Have to Worry About Maintenance and Upkeep 

One of the most popular conveniences of senior living is that you don’t have to worry about the daily maintenance and upkeep that comes with owning and maintaining a home. So if you’re tired of all the projects piling up, now is the time to put them behind you. No more having to bother with mowing the lawn, fixing a broken light, or raking leaves, among other chores. Instead, you can relax and unwind in an easy-going apartment and enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Pines Village and many other communities provide transportation for doctor’s appointments, shopping, and enrichment. Additionally, on-site, restaurant-style dining options are available for your convenience. Should you need additional assistance, Pines Village offers packages and ala carte options for home health care services.

You Can Engage in Countless Activities and Beat the Winter Blues

One of the best perks of retirement communities is the countless activities available. There are plenty of opportunities for fun with fellow residents or in the local community, from games, movie nights, shopping trips, or visits to a local museum. So you won’t have to worry about feeling lonely this winter or feel like you are itching to do something fun. Plus, there are so many friendly faces and ways to make new friends and connections to the greater community. 

Making a big move can seem like a lot of work, and it may be tempting to keep putting it off. However, there are many advantages to being proactive and transitioning to senior living now. 

 If you are ready to take the next step towards transitioning to senior living, contact us today. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have and schedule a tour of Pines Village.

What Are the Different Living Options for Seniors?

Looking into senior living options can be a confusing process with all of the different choices available. Whether you are looking for a loved one or for yourself, there are many different things to consider. What is best depends on you or your loved one, the level of assistance needed, and whether being a part of a community is important. To help you during this process, we’re here to explain all of the different living options for seniors:

Aging in Place 

Aging in place is a living option where older adults live in their own homes or with a family member. This option is good for individuals who are still relatively independent and can receive the assistance they need while remaining in their own homes. In-home caregivers, meal delivery services, cleaning companies, grocery services, and medication deliveries are all services that can assist in activities of daily living (ADLs). Some modifications may also be needed in order to make the home more accessible, such as putting in a wheelchair ramp, installing a security system, and adding grab bars to bathrooms. 

Nursing Homes

Another option for older adults involves moving into a nursing home or skilled nursing facility where residents receive 24-hour supervision and care, including health management, meals, and activities. Nursing homes are usually for older adults who have severe physical or mental illnesses that make it impossible for them to care for themselves. Licensed physicians oversee the care of every resident in a nursing home, with nurses and other medical professionals on the premises at all times to help residents with any health issues that arise. Some nursing homes and facilities even have physical and occupational therapists on the staff in order to further help residents with the illnesses they are dealing with.

Memory Care

Memory care is a specialized service for older adults who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Memory care is often a unique offering within other senior living communities, like nursing homes, assisted living communities, and independent living communities. It includes a separate, secure living environment so residents can’t wander off on their own, and a specialized staff trained to care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. These communities offer memory care services and programming, personal care plans created by physicians and specialists, 24-hour assistance, meal plans, housekeeping, and laundry services. Much like the other senior living options, memory care facilities also include activities, events, and social interactions for residents, but all under the supervision of the staff.

Assisted Living

The next living option for older adults is assisted living. Assisted living communities are generally made up of small apartments and offer various assistive services depending on the needs of a particular resident. These services include offerings like 24-hour staff, meal plans, transportation, medication management, and other types of care, like getting dressed, helping with bathing, and housekeeping. These communities often feature a group dining area where residents can eat together, as well as other common areas that can be used for socializing and recreational activities.

Independent Living

One of the most popular options for older adults is independent living. This option is for individuals who can still care for themselves independently but may be seeking a greater sense of community. Independent living communities include personal apartments within a greater community where residents can cook for themselves or eat at on-site dining venues, bring their car with them or use provided transportation services, as well as enjoy many other perks like activities, trips, events, and even continuing to live with their pet. Independent living communities also offer many other amenities like housekeeping, fitness centers, libraries, and common spaces to socialize so residents have more time for their passions without worrying about household responsibilities!

Pines Village Retirement Communities, Inc. is a nonprofit senior living community in Valparaiso, Indiana, with two campuses, Pines Village and Meridian Woods. The Pines Village campus offers pet-friendly independent living apartments with the option to add assistive services ala carte or in packages. The Meridian Woods campus consists of maintenance-free paired homes and Campbell St. Cafe, which in addition to being a restaurant open to the public, hosts events and acts as a meeting space for residents and local nonprofits. 

At Pines Village, we celebrate life by enriching the lives of older adults. We pride ourselves on our culture, which is driven by a passion for serving the residents, visitors, and staff of Pines Village as well as the greater Valparaiso community. Explore our senior apartment availability and learn more about our assisted living options.