8 Steps to Take When Moving Into a New Senior Living Community

Last Updated: January 28, 2019

There is plenty of advice out there about choosing the right senior living community, but once you’ve made your choice, how do you go about settling in?

We’ve prepared a list of eight steps to take while moving into senior living to help you get acquainted with your new home:

1. Attend an event.

Get a copy of your senior living community’s social calendar and attend an event that sounds interesting. Join any and all clubs that spark your interest – you’ll get to meet lots of people quickly and can slowly drop out of the groups you’re not so excited about over the next few months. The key is to get involved in as many arenas as possible and you will discover all kinds of new folks and interests.

2. Familiarize yourself with your new surroundings.

Determine where the nearest bank, grocery store and pharmacy are located. Get a copy of the transportation schedule. Discover new ways to get to know the broader community – find local parks, senior centers and theaters and see what events they offer. Learn the community procedures for meal time, laundry, requests etc.

3. Get to know the staff.

Learn the names of the staff and determine if you share any hobbies or interests. They will become the people you’ll see every day.

4. Introduce your family.

Invite your family to come for events or join you for a meal if possible. Introduce them to residents and staff. Ask if your community will host a private luncheon to celebrate your new home, or if they may host a party for all the new residents that month – be sure to invite your closest friends, too!

5. Make some friends.

Experiment with sitting at different tables during meal time to find some new friends in your fellow residents. Your community may have a buddy system in place to encourage new friendships.

6. Spread the word.

Write a review on SeniorAdvisor.com – take a few minutes to share your experience and guidance for others who are now going through the same search you did. If you love your new community, tell others what makes it so special!

7. Take it easy.

Everyone adjusts to a new environment differently. Be patient and give yourself time to adjust. Contact the staff if you need something – this is not the time to be shy about asking for assistance.

8. Update your contact information.

Make sure everyone who matters can still find you – share your new address with families, friends and medical contacts. Your community may even have pre-made change-of-address postcards you can send. Complete a change-of-address form with the U.S. Postal Service. Gather contact numbers for key staff who can help others find you in case of an emergency.

We hope you find these suggestions helpful. Do you have any other best practices for moving into a senior living community? We’d like to hear your tips in the comments below.

Amelia Willson

Based in Austin, TX, Amelia is the former Content Marketing Manager for SeniorAdvisor.com. When she’s not writing about online reputation management, online reviews, and social media in the senior living space, she enjoys yoga and running with her dog Rockefeller. She graduated from Wellesley College cum laude with a dual degree in English and Medieval/Renaissance Studies.