It’s estimated that there are nearly 30,600 independent living communities in the United States. These communities provide valuable spaces for seniors to socialize, enjoy easy-to-access amenities, and get any care they might need.
While settling into these types of independent communities can be easy, transitioning into them can be a different story. Moving to independent living in Ridgeland is often a stressful ordeal. But it doesn’t have to be.
So what are some things you can do that will ensure that your move to your independent living community goes smoothly? In this independent living tips guide, we’ll answer this question so you don’t need to stress about the transition.
Take Your Time Planning
Many people make the mistake of waiting until the last moment to even begin their planning when moving to Ridgeland. You might think that saving the stress for a concentrated period of a week or two is preferable to dragging it out.
But regardless of your thoughts on this, if you only give yourself this much time, important things are going to get left behind or forgotten. So, instead, start planning months in advance.
Better yet, give yourself a whole year to find the perfect independent living community while preparing your life for this big change.
Once you’ve determined how much time you need, create a timeline with to-do tasks for each section. This will help you stay organized during the hectic process.
Begin the Downsizing Process
Now comes the hardest part of the transition for many residents: the downsizing process. Many of our community members have lived in the same house for decades before moving.
As such, they’ve spent a lot of time collecting things, whether it’s pictures, furniture, and antiques. Unfortunately, most independent living suites will only come with one or two rooms.
Because of this, you’ll need to come up with a solution. The easiest option is just to trash or donate anything you don’t need. However, this can be challenging when you have family heirlooms that you no longer have space for.
There are two possible solutions to this. First, you can give the heirlooms to your family or friends. Second, you can put them in long-term storage. The only problem with this second option is that it represents an additional expense.
As we mentioned in the last section, we highly recommend beginning the downsizing process early. Otherwise, it can feel like you’re losing everything all at once, which can be tough to deal with.
Deal With Any Paperwork
There will likely be a lot of paperwork to deal with to enter the community. Typically, the hardest part of this involves transferring any medical records over to the community.
You’ll also want to make sure you cancel any utilities or internet/phone services. Also, fill out a change-of-address form so that your mail is forwarded to you.
Coordinate With Movers
The further in advance you coordinate with movers, the better deal you’ll be able to get. Unless you have young people willing to help you, fight the urge to move everything yourself.
Instead, invest in professional movers who pack and carry everything for you. This gives your possessions the best possible chance of moving unharmed. It also makes your life a whole lot easier.
Know Your Floor Plan
The last thing you want is to spend months downsizing only to realize that you didn’t downsize enough. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common occurrence. All too often, people will bring in two to three rooms worth of furniture for a single room.
Unless you want it to feel like you’re living in a storage closet, you need to closely study the floor plan of your room or rooms. Luckily, most independent living communities will provide their floor plans online.
Make sure to measure any furniture you might be bringing. That way, you’re certain everything fits. If you can, you should also visit the room before moving in.
Floor plans can only tell you so much. They can make it challenging to visualize the space. Going in person will give you a much better idea of what should go where.
Explore Your Community
If you want to wait until move-in day to explore your communities, that’s fine! However, some benefits come with touring and visiting the community before you transition.
For starters, you get a better sense of the type of exclusive programs the community offers. That way, you’re ready to just dive right in. In addition to the community itself, we also encourage you to get to know the surrounding Ridgeland area.
Look out for shops or stores that might seem like a good fit for you. That way, you have some ideas for when family or friends come down to visit you after the Ridgeland living transition.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
If you’re an introverted person, then meeting your neighbors can seem like a daunting task. But remember that everyone in the community is eager to meet you.
It’s estimated that a third of older adults report feeling socially isolated. Senior independent communities present a great environment to meet individuals your age outside of the context of church or families.
What’s more, communities like SummerHouse Beau Ridge provide daily social activities. That way, you can not only meet people but also deepen your relationship together.
That all starts with introducing yourself. So, once you’re settled in, don’t be afraid to knock on your neighbor’s door. Ideally, you’ll know everyone on your floor by the end of the month.
Looking for Independent Living in Ridgeland? Visit SummerHouse Beau Ridge
We hope this senior move advice helped you learn more about transitioning to independent living in Ridgeland. Here at SummerHouse Beau Ridge, we know that making the move to our Ridgeland community can be a challenge.
However, once you’re here, we will do everything in our power to make it a smooth senior transition.
From a comfortable environment filled with amenities to a friendly staff ready to answer any questions, we’re here to help. So get in touch with us today to schedule a visit to our beautiful, quiet community.
