With over 40 million Americans entering into their senior years, it’s no surprise that retirement living has become more popular. Many seniors are unable or unwilling to live independently and are moving into senior communities for a higher level of comfort and care.
Adjusting to living in a retirement home can be difficult for many residents. Giving up their independence is a real challenge for seniors. The good news is that once you get settled, retirement home living can be very comfortable and enjoyable. To make sure you choose the best facility, take advantage of the resources Caregiverlist has to offer to help seniors connect with quality care choices.
Top-rated facilities like Long House allow seniors to embrace a new and rewarding lifestyle. Comfortable and safe living, engaging activities, and new friendships are just some of the benefits that seniors can enjoy in a retirement community. Here are a few tips to help you adjust and get the most out of your move to a retirement home.
Get To Know The Staff
The staff of your retirement home is invested in making your experience more comfortable and safe. When you first arrive, take some time to get to know the team. These are people that you will be in contact with daily, so it’s essential to create healthy relationships. Your staff members can help you find your way around, introduce you to other residents, and guide you through what to expect from retirement community life.
Maintain Family Ties
Just because you are no longer living in your family home, doesn’t mean that you need to fall out of contact. Encourage your family members to visit you at your new residence and share some of the activities that you enjoy. Many facilities are equipped with private meeting rooms and dining rooms where you can host family events and visits.
Maintain Your Routine
Your surroundings may have changed, but that’s no reason for your regular routines to be affected. Seniors need to keep up with the things that make you the most comfortable. Continuing with your same morning routine and getting back to your favorite hobbies will help you feel more comfortable.
Personalize Your Space
Your new room or suite won’t feel comfortable until you add your personal touches. You can paint the walls the perfect shade of your favorite color, add shelves to fill up with your most treasured books and put out a few family pictures to keep you company. Once you have a few of your items added to your space, it will feel more like home.
Be Open To New Friendships
One of the significant advantages of retirement home living is being surrounded with people of your generation. Be open to making new friends and finding people with whom you share interests and hobbies. One of the best ways to fight loneliness and depression is to stay open to meeting new friends that you can spend your time with.
Enjoy The Amenities
The facilities of your retirement home are designed to keep you engaged and busy. Take advantage of all the amenities your new home has to offer. Visit the library or the gym. Take a class or take up a new hobby.
Retirement home living doesn’t have to be the end of your social life or your comfort. Embracing the changes and taking care to make the most out of your new residence can help you adjust more quickly and enjoy your experience.