Moving home is considered one of the most stressful life events. This is amplified a great deal when leaving the place that has been your home, most likely for the past few decades. Here are some ideas that you can use to help make your parents feel more at home in their new retirement housing as soon as possible.
- Establishing a Routine
Encourage your parents to stick to some of their old routines, like their usual wake-up and breakfast time, or continue with activities such as their daily walk. At the same time, however, it is important to get them settled into any new routines that will be prevalent in their lives from now on, for example, joining in with scheduled activities. This combination of new and old ways will set them up to feel the security of a consistent routine.
- Personalising Their Space
It is essential to bring cherished items from their previous home, like photographs, significant furniture items, artwork created by grandchildren, mementos, and keepsakes. These items will help make the new environment feel more like home and allow them to stamp their own sense of style on their new abode.
- Staying Connected with Loved Ones
Your parents may not be keen to rush out and make friends with everyone they meet in their new retirement housing complex. To avoid them feeling lonely or abandoned, connecting with them daily through phone calls and visits is vital. If this is not possible, show them how to make video calls on their phones so they can still see their important loved ones while chatting.
- Making New Connections
Senior living facilities will offer a range of activities and amenities like fitness centres, classes, clubs, and social events. Encourage your parents to start engaging with others and participating to keep them as active in body and mind as possible. They will soon begin to enjoy the benefits of community living.
- Keeping Active with Hobbies and Interests
Ensure that any activities they enjoyed in their previous home can be continued in their new home. Find a space, such as a book nook, puzzle table, workbench and tools or gardening accessories, to keep them keen, interested, and engaged.
Contact Monarchs Senior Living today to learn more about our commitment to creating a lifestyle of comfort, independence, safety, and wellness for your parents. We understand that moving to a new retirement housing option can be very stressful, and our team is standing by to make this transition as seamless as possible.