So you’ve decided to take the plunge and move to a senior living community in 2019. Excellent! It’s a new year, which means a perfect opportunity for a new start and a new future in a new home. This is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming and you may be at a loss on where to start. Never fear! We’ve compiled some of our top tips for making this transition as smooth as possible.
Put together your timeline.
Will you be moving this month? Next month? At an undisclosed time, but for sure sometime this year? No matter how soon or how far out your move may be, putting together a timeline of when things need to be accomplished will make you feel that much more confident and in charge. It doesn’t have to be complete blueprint outlining everything in 15-minute increments – even just sketching out the main points can help you figure out where you need to go and what you need to do.
Hire an organizer.
If the idea of organizing your possessions overwhelms you, consider hiring a professional organizer to help you through the process. These experts can help you in many ways you may never have thought about, from finding ways to reduce the weight you’re moving to setting up your new living space to giving great ideas on how to store everything in the most economical way.
Find a trusted Realtor®.
Unless you’re currently renting, you’ll more than likely need to sell your home before moving to senior living. The easiest way to make it happen? Hire a Realtor®. Don’t have one? Want one who knows the specific needs of a senior home seller? Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES) are Realtors who have gone through training that qualifies them to address the needs of home sellers over age 50. Find one in your area by visiting http://seniorsrealestate.com/.
Get a handyman.
Your Realtor® may have suggestions of small projects you can do to improve your home’s value and get the most from your home sale. Ask friends and family for handymen recommendations. You’ll want someone who’s a Jack-of-all-trades, able to handle little cosmetic issues as well as light renovation work. Be sure to vet several options to make sure you choose someone you trust.
Talk to your financial advisor.
Before you make any big life changes, it’s important to get your ducks in a row, financially speaking. Schedule an appointment with your financial advisor (or find one if you don’t have one already) and talk to them about your future plans. He or she can help you assess your financial situation, determine a budget and give you recommendations on how to move forward in a beneficial way.
Make your Keep/Donate/Toss piles.
Moving to a senior living community often means downsizing. Going through your possessions can be a daunting task, but it can also be very freeing. Create three piles: one for KEEP, one for DONATE or GIFTING and one for TOSS. You can tackle this however you want – all at once, one room at a time, or a little bit each day. Think long and hard about your new space and determine what it is you really need and what you can get rid of. This is an excellent opportunity for you to hand off heirlooms and other valuables to family members instead of leaving them in a will – this way, you’ll get to see them enjoy your gifts firsthand.
Find a mover who understands your needs.
Just as there are Realtors who specialize in moving seniors, there are moving companies that focus on helping older adults make a transition from home to community. Ask for recommendations from friends who’ve already gone through the process, or check online to see what movers are “senior friendly.” Don’t hesitate to schedule “interviews” with different companies – after all, you’re trusting them with your stuff, and you want to make sure they’re up to the challenge! By finding a mover who understands your needs and works at your pace, you’ll make moving day much less stressful.
As always, the friendly staff at Melrose Meadows are here to help! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about making a move.