Moving into a senior living community or
making any kind of move can be stressful, but a common cause of stress is the
idea of leaving familiar things and dealing with new things. Integrating into
your new community will help you deal with this stress. Learn about some
helpful tips to help you integrate into your new community.
Participate in the
Property Search
Don't let your loved ones handle every aspect
of the property search. Participate in the process to ensure you end up in a
place you actually like. You are more likely to integrate into a place if you
choose it than if someone chooses it for you. Therefore, you should:
- List the must-have
features and qualities of your preferred community.
- Research the available
properties.
- List the available
properties to evaluate them in person.
- Talk with property
managers or even other residents of the communities in which you are
interested.
The above tips will help you choose a
community that you actually like and reduce the fear of the unknown that often
accompanies a move.
Don't Change
Everything
Moving home represents a big change, but you
don't have to change everything in your life. Keeping some parts of your life
or your belongings will help the transition into your new life. Therefore,
consider:
- Moving with your
prized belongings
- Maintaining your daily
routine
- Maintaining your
professional providers, such as your dentist, if possible
- Keeping in touch with
your old friends
- Regularly meeting with
your loved ones
You don't have to maintain your old life
forever. As you integrate into the new community, you may find yourself
breaking up with the old and adopting a new lifestyle. The distance of your
move, the nature of the new property, and your new residence's facilities may
determine how much of your old life you can keep.
Attend Welcoming
Events
Some senior living communities hold welcoming
events for new tenants. Make it a point to attend the event if you move into
such a place. The welcoming event will give you a chance to:
- Mingle with both
current and new tenants
- Observe how the
tenants interact with each other
- Learn new things you
might not have learned before moving in
Many places hold these events at regular
intervals, say once a month. You will problem hear about it when talking with
property managers during the search.
Participate in
Community Events and Activities
Your participation in the community events
shouldn't end with the welcoming event. The more you participate in organized
or communal events or activities, the faster you will become a community
member. Some events and activities to consider include:
- Barbecue parties
- Club activities, such
as book club meetings
- Organized local tours
- Many communities have
a social calendar that lists upcoming events.
- Volunteering
activities
Make it a point to appear at all the social
events that interest you. Also, don't be afraid to try out new things, at least
once, to gauge whether they might interest you. For example, you can check out
the gym, to gauge whether you will be interested in working out.
Give Yourself Time
Lastly, you should know that any integration
doesn't happen overnight. Give yourself some transition time before you can
feel part of the community. Different people require different periods to
integrate after a move. Don't fixate on how long it might take you. You might
not even realize the moment you become a full-fledged member of the community.
Hopefully, these tips will help you integrate
and love your new home within no time. Robert Cottingham Property Management
provides a variety of income-based housing for different demographics. Contact us
to view the properties on offer, and we
will help you choose your next residence.
