How to Get Your Move Started!

A home is more than a building with walls, flooring and a roof. It's filled with memories and that can make it hard to say goodbye.

Even though you know the memories you made will go with you no matter where you live, consider taking some time to celebrate everything your current home has given you before you leave. It can look different for everyone. You may want to spend a quiet evening at home thinking about the legacy you built there. Or, perhaps take a picture of your home to have as a keepsake.

No matter how you decide to celebrate your house, use that time to remember and appreciate the years you spent there. Then, let it encourage you to look forward to how many new and wonderful memories you can make in your new home, which will be full of things to do and new people to do them with.

When you’re about to experience a big life change, you can probably expect to feel some mixed emotions. For most, this is just a regular part of the moving process. Just keep in mind that some of those sad or negative emotions could be a result of unfounded fears. 

The truth is that many seniors genuinely enjoy living in a community more than they enjoy living alone, and they are glad they made the decision to move. If you find yourself battling your nerves, make a list of all the good things that could come out of this transition: no more household chores, new friends, a full activities calendar, peace of mind about the future. 

Focusing on what you’re going to gain rather than what you think you might lose is the best way to remind your emotions that you’re the one in charge.

Your move will be coordinated and scheduled by a team at the community. You'll likely receive a timeframe to arrive in, which is an important piece of information to pass along to your moving team. Make sure you coordinate your move to fall within the designated time so you don’t have to wait for your room to be ready!

You will be greeted by caring staff who will show you to your room. They will most likely take you to your new room and then show you around so you know where everything is located. 

Our goal is to help you feel at ease on moving day, and to help you get acclimated to your new home as quickly as possible. You will receive a welcome packet with all of the important information about your new home and any wearable technology you need such as call alertMake sure to keep these in a safe place during the hustle and bustle of moving day!

You can also requests to have extra hands help you get set up in your home. If you’ve never been handy with a hammer and nails, or you would just rather someone else handle the hassle, you can ask the community’s caregiver team to hang up decor like picture frames and artwork.

This is where the fun really begins. Even if you don’t unpack everything at once, make a point to add your personal touch on the first day. Set out pictures of your grandchildren or drape your favorite quilt over the bed. The sooner you add these treasured items to your space, the sooner it will feel like home.

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it can help to have a to-do list that outlines what you will tackle over the next few days. Perhaps the first day you'll focus on arranging furniture and setting up the bedroom. Then the next day you'll tackle minor touches like setting out mementos and scheduling shopping trips if needed. However you choose to tackle the moving process, it's better not to stress about trying to get it done all at once. 

Keeping a positive attitude on moving day is an important piece of the puzzle, but you also have to be prepared to actually move your possessions from one place to another. Here are a few practical tips to keep you feeling organized and ready when moving day rolls around. 

Get plenty of sleep the night before.
There will probably be a lot on your mind the night before you move, but do your best to get a good night’s sleep before the big day. You’re going to need your energy. Plus being well-rested can improve your mood and help you handle any challenges that may arise throughout the day.

Be mindful of what you wear during moving day.
It may sound like an insignificant tip, but pay special attention to what you wear on moving day. You want to be comfortable and able to move around, but you don’t want to wear something that could get messed up in the moving process. Avoid things like dangling jewelry or uncomfortable shoes.

Prepare an essentials box with valuables and necessities.
Depending on how many boxes you’re bringing to your new home, it may take some time to unpack all your possessions. If there are certain items you know you’re going to want or need right away—like medication, phone charger or toiletries—put them in a box labeled “essentials” so you can quickly access them. You can even keep this box with you rather than loading it up with the rest of your things.

Take a moment to say goodbye.
Once the boxes are loaded up and you and your family are ready to take everything to the new home, make sure to take a few moments to say goodbye to your home. This little step can help you find closure, even if you feel like you don’t need it. Then, think about all the wonderful new memories you’re going to be able to make in your next home sweet home.