What to Expect During a Transition to Senior Living
Transitioning to any new circumstance, regardless of your age or how ready you are, can be uncomfortable. The good news is that there are many things people can do to ease the transition to senior living.
Much of the fear and anxiety people feel when moving to a new home is due to the unknown. They don’t know what it will be like, and they generally feel out of place before they’re even in their new place.
It’s all normal, but it also doesn’t have to weigh heavily on your shoulders if you’re planning on moving to a senior living community soon. Taking away some of the unknown and replacing it with knowledge about what to expect can ease a lot of fear and concern.
What Will Senior Living Be Like?
Knowing what kinds of normal emotions you’ll likely experience can help you feel more prepared and ease the transition. Everyone deals with this kind of change differently, but there are some feelings that almost everyone has during the transition.
No matter what you experience during your move to senior living, make sure to talk about it with loved ones, staff members, and friends to help you feel more comfortable.
Feeling Like the “New Kid”
So many people have experienced the intimidating feeling of being in a new place where everyone else already knows each other. However, one of the best things you can do to combat this intimidation is to remember that every person in your new community was once “the new kid,” too.
Most people welcome new friends with open arms and are excited to get to know them. You’ll likely experience an overwhelming amount of lovely attention from others who want to meet you and get to know you!
Learning to Downsize
You’ll need to settle into a new space that is likely smaller than what you’re used to, and you might miss your old home. It can be difficult to let go of many belongings to downsize, but keeping one or two items from an heirloom set can ease tough feelings.
You can also recreate your old bedroom, set up lots of photos in frames, and above all else, remember that home is a feeling, not just a space.
Learning New Routines
Many of your daily routines will stay the same, but how you go about them may change. For example, instead of going to your mailbox each morning to fetch the newspaper, it might be dropped right at your front door.
Senior Living Is a Different Life, Not a New Life
Keep the hobbies that are most important to you, and go ahead and maintain as many routines as possible to make you comfortable. Remember that transitioning to senior living presents a new adventure that changes your life, but it’s still your life!
MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in Portland, Oregon.