What To Do Before Moving Into a Senior Living Community

Once you have made the decision to move into a senior living community, there are preparations that must be made before you can get comfortable in your new residence. It is a major decision to live in a retirement community and it is a really exciting time. Keep track of everything you need to do before you move in so you can simply relax and enjoy your carefree lifestyle.

A Few Weeks Before Moving

There are some details to take care of as soon as you decide to make the move into a retirement community. Find out whether furniture is included with your housing. If not, you might want to move some of your furniture into the new residence. Get the measurements of the rooms and measure your furniture to make sure it fits. Create your own personal floor plan so you know where everything should go. Contact movers to get estimates and find the most reputable, affordable one for the job. Get rid of clutter you won't need. This can take time to start right away and don't leave that job until the last moment. Plus, you might be able to sell some of your old items of value at a garage sale or on a site such as Craigslist.

A Month Before Moving to A Senior Home

Moving time gets closer and you realize there is only a month left to go. Create folders that include your moving paperwork, birth certificates, insurance papers, and other pertinent paperwork you need. Keep these folders with you until you get into your new home so you always know where they are. Set a date and reserve a mover or a truck for the move so you know this is taken care of. Waiting until the last minute can lead to disappointment. Start boxing items that you won't need until the move happens. Take care of cleaning items such as curtains and carpets to leave your current place in the best possible condition.

One or Two Weeks Before Relocating

Right before you move, it's time to get enough prescriptions to see you through and transfer your prescriptions to a drug store near your new home. Get any rental deposits back in your current home, if applicable. Schedule your utilities to be turned off in one location and turned in at your new home. Consider whether your bank accounts should be transferred. Keep your bank account info, checks, and credit cards handy. Let the movers start packing and pack up the items you need to have first at the place to carry yourself. If you have a pet, determine the best way to relocate your companion to your new residence.

Sunshine Retirement Living
807 SW Industrial Way
Bend, OR 97702

Why Should Seniors Have Pets?

As people get older, their friends move into different directions. Seniors might find some of their friends have passed away and wind up feeling lonely or lost. Family members are working or going their own ways. Sometimes a widowed senior really feels displaced. An older couple might miss taking care of children and grandchildren. These nurturing and sociable instincts do not have to be stagnant. Find out why seniors should have pets such as dogs.

A Companion All the Time

A dog doesn't have to head to work or hurry up to an appointment. Dogs are there to keep seniors company all the time. The dog is always there to hang out with. Plus, they help seniors establish a reason and have a purpose for going out. Dogs need to be fed, walked, and cared for. This keeps seniors on a schedule and give them a chance to keep offering care. Also, going for a walk with the dog gives seniors an excellent chance to exercise every day. This keeps seniors active and can help ward off health conditions.

Reduce Stress

The changes seniors experience can cause them to feel stress and anxiety. Losing loved ones is difficult and it can seem impossible to move forward. Seniors living on a fixed income might have financial worries. A change of routine could make seniors feel like they have nothing meaningful to do or look forward to. Having a pet can reduce this stress. Each day they wake up to a dedicated companion who is always ready to have a snacks, cuddle, or take a walk. This can help to boost a senior's mood and improve his or her outlook on life.

Getting Social

Walking a dog can be a very social experience. Other dog walkers recognize a senior and the pet. They say hello and get to know each other. Dog parks are a great place for people and pups to mingle. Plus, there are clubs for certain dog owners and visits to the veterinarian to keep up with. Seniors can also participate in dog walks for charity and other charitable events for animals where they can meet like-minded friends and do something meaningful.

Protection

While a senior feels great about having a companion to care for and spend their days loving, it also works the other way. Pets can be protective over seniors and give them a sense of security. There are also trained companion dogs to help those who are handicapped or have other issues.

There are a variety of senior living communities that encourage dogs for seniors and recognize they can be a very important part of their daily lives.

Sunshine Retirement Living
807 SW Industrial Way
Bend, OR 97702

How to Avoid Loneliness During Retirement

Everyone waits for the golden moment of retirement, when there is no need to live by the clock anymore. But with that joy comes a whole new way of life. Some people know their co-workers for many years. They are like friends rather than business associates. But you might retire and their days remain busy with work. Now you are on your own and need to create new social experiences. Consider a few ways to avoid loneliness during retirement and get the social life you want.

Go Back in Time

There are a variety of websites where you can reconnect with people from your past. One of them is Classmates.com, where you can find out if your high school is having a reunion and what everyone has been doing for the past few decades. Going back in time can be healing in many ways, especially if you had some tough times in high school. Finding out what happened to everyone can boost your confidence and help you reach out to a few new and old friends.

Get Involved

When people are dealing with a hectic work week, they often go through the motions at community events. You might go to a house of worship every week and hang out at the annual village parade but now you can play a larger role. Get involved in activities at your house of worship and help to plan new events in your community. Give your time and talents and you are sure to meet other fun people who are doing the same.

Reconnect With Family

While we might keep up with our immediate family during those whirlwind work years, often we lose touch with relatives such as cousins. They are usually glad to reconnect with you anytime. Send a letter, connect on Facebook, or pick up the phone to ask how they are doing. Plan a family barbecue at a mutually convenient park or other venue.

Volunteer Your Time

Some people actually feel letdown when there is no more work to do. They want to keep busy and stay relevant in the world around them. Volunteer your time to help organizations you believe in. Now you can do more than write a check - you can actually become a voice and active member of movements you support.

Consider Your Living Conditions

If you are still living in the home where you raised a family, you might be surrounded by new, young families. While you can make friends of any ages, they are usually on a different schedule with their own priorities. A senior living community can be an excellent way to reduce your responsibilities for housing maintenance and make friends your age. They usually have a variety of classes and social activities to keep you busy.

Sunshine Retirement Living
807 SW Industrial Way
Bend, OR 97702

About Sunshine Retirement Living

Sunshine Retirement Living gives seniors options. There are a variety of outstanding locations throughout the US. 

Residents have the advantage of a dedicated staff focused on people, passion and excellence. Everyone strives to exceed expectations by delivering unexpected extras. 

Retired people appreciate independence and freedom of choice along with overall well-being and social interaction that includes plenty of fun activities. 

Benefits provided include housekeeping, meals, utilities, transportation, activities and an attentive in-home management staff for the comfort of the residents and a completely carefree lifestyle. 

Each location has a sense of community to make seniors feel at home. The goals are to ensure they are enriched, satisfied and happy with their living environment. 

Sunshine Retirement Living
807 SW Industrial Way
Bend, OR 97702