3 Tips for Creating a Successful Move to Assisted Senior Living

Whether you are helping an older family member move into an assisted living community or making the move yourself, moving day should be an enjoyable and positive experience.

At The Woodlands at Canterfield, we deliver first-class assisted living in West Dundee, Illinois, seamlessly blending the best in hospitality and amenities with extraordinary care and support. That support begins as soon as we welcome new residents into our beautiful community.

Below, we are looking at some of the best ways to handle a move to assisted senior living to ensure you and your family enjoy a successful transition.

1. Patience is a Virtue

This tip is less about managing the logistics of the move and more about remaining calm and compassionate. We know that moving into an assisted living community is a significant life event. Because of this, keep in mind that emotions may be at an all-time high, and stress levels can peak during the transition.

If you are helping a family member move into assisted senior living, you can make the experience more enjoyable by keeping a cheerful attitude, reminding them of the many benefits they will experience when they arrive at their new home and being patient if certain moments become stressful or overwhelming.

Moving into an assisted living community represents the beginning of a new chapter of life. Remind yourself of this, or help your family member focus on the positive aspects of the move. 

2. Downsize as Needed

Moving from one home to another can be a stressful undertaking, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to simplify your life. Downsizing is one of the best ways to ensure that the move into assisted senior living is easy and enjoyable. Click here to discover the unexpected benefits of downsizing! 

When downsizing, you should first separate the essential or priority items that will follow you into your new home. While you are making these decisions, it is important to evaluate the space – will it be able to accommodate your favorite piece of furniture?

This is also the time to speak with the assisted living community to see if certain items will already be provided. If your accommodations are furnished, this makes it easy to sell, donate or discard unneeded furniture.

3. Make Moving Day a Celebration

The Woodlands at Canterfield believes that moving into assisted senior living should be a cause for celebration. So, when it comes time to make the move, we hope that you will celebrate your decision with your family and friends.

You can make moving day celebratory by adding touches to the day. Start with a nice meal and spend time reminiscing about the good memories you have of your house and your time spent there. You can also use the time to focus on what you are most excited about experiencing when you enter your new community.

The move itself may present some challenges (as most moves do), but there is also room for celebration when you arrive at the new community and see your belongings thoughtfully arranged in your space. As Socrates once said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” 

Moving to an assisted living community is a chance to experience enhanced independence and peace of mind,  find opportunities to meet and connect with new people, and lead a safer, healthier lifestyle. 

Once the move is over, celebrate in style by sharing a delicious meal in the community’s beautiful dining room. The Woodlands at Canterfield affords residents the opportunity to engage with new friends, enjoy activities and social events, and truly enjoy this next chapter of life. And that, we believe, is a great reason to celebrate!

When you are ready to move into an assisted senior living community – or as you help a family member complete their move – these simple strategies will make your day easier and more enjoyable. We look forward to seeing you on moving day!

We invite you to visit our website or call us at 224-802-4388 to learn more about our brand-new assisted living and memory care community in West Dundee, Illinois.