If you have decided that it is time to move into an assisted living facility, you may be a little nervous. This is only natural as it is a big move, and you don’t always know what to expect. Here are five ways to get the best from assisted living.
Think Positively
Moving to an assisted living facility may mean that you are getting older, but it is not all doom and gloom. Instead of feeling down about your move, think about the positive side instead. You won’t need to worry about cleaning or home maintenance anymore, you can make a lot of new friends, and you don’t have to go far to be social and get involved with activities.
Join In
The fastest way to feel at home in your new surroundings is by getting involved with the activities on offer in your new accommodations. For example, facilities such as Brandywine Living, for assisted living in Alexandria VA, offer a variety of activities to help you to feel like part of the crowd and to help you make friends.
Get Active
Another fantastic way to feel more settled is to use the opportunity to get more physically active. Many assisted living facilities offer gentle workouts such as swimming or yoga to help you to stay in shape and get your body moving. If you had limited options in the past this could be a breath of fresh air for you, not to mention the chance to feel fitter than you may have done for years.
Surround Yourself with Creature Comforts
The chances are you will be downsizing a lot and you won’t be able to take all your belongings with you. However, there will be room for some of them such as a favorite blanket, your most treasured items, and some personal photos. Once you have surrounded yourself with these things you will begin to feel more settled, and your new living space will begin to feel like home.
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
Don’t expect too much of yourself too quickly. This will be a big move for you, and you need to give yourself time to settle in. Depending on the circumstances that led to your move you may still be feeling the effects of an illness or accident which aren’t going to help matters so you need to give your body time to heal too. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t expect to leave the home you lived in for thirty years and settle straight in somewhere else. Everyone goes through a settling-in period when they move so speak to your fellow residents and staff members about how you are feeling. They will understand your woes and be able to support you.
These five tips should help you to settle into your assisted living facility and get the best from the experience. In time your new place will start to feel like home, and you will be glad you made the move.
