The “when” and “where” of moving as a senior

Planning is key

You might be toying with the idea of moving to senior living, but don’t know where to start. Or, you have a loved one who would benefit from a senior community, but the task of finding the right place and getting ready to move is a huge undertaking.

Knowing when to make the move and where to go is different for everyone. Most senior living communities require that residents are 65 years or older to move in and some people can’t wait to sign up. Other people want to stay in their homes as long as possible. Wherever you are on this journey, there are a few things you can do to help bring some organization and structure to this important decision.

WayForth is your trusted senior move management company. Our solutions take the stress out of moving by helping with downsizing, packing and unpacking, storage services, and more. Contact our experts today for help on your next move!

When is the right time to move into a senior community?

To help understand the “when,” you or a loved one must think about their lifestyle and what they need and want. Ask yourself these questions to help you get started:

• Am I safe at home?
• Am I able to take care of myself with minimal help?
• Am I ready to enjoy my free time and not be tied to home and yard maintenance?
• Can I be closer to family if I move?
• Would I enjoy being around people who are my peers?
• Will being in a senior community enrich my life?
• Do I need medical or personal assistance that I’m not getting at home?

The “when” will vary from person to person, but it helps to be thoughtful and answer the questions honestly. Sometimes talking things over with a friend or relative can help. Your answers can steer you in the right direction and help you decide if you need to start the process now or give yourself another six months or even a year before you begin.

Where should you go?

Moving to a senior community can mean a lot of things such as peace of mind, safety and socialization. If you decide that a move is on the horizon, you will need to do some homework to find out what is right for you. There are many types of senior living arrangements to explore and each has their own personality. Common types of senior communities include:

• Continuing care retirement community: features one campus with independent living, assisted living, nursing care and memory care, allowing residents to transition to each level as needed.

• Independent living: designed for senior citizens who can function on their own, but who are looking for a community that offers activities, socialization, maintenance-free living and some meal services.

• Assisted living: a place where residents can live by themselves but may need some basic personal care such as bathing, dressing or medication management.

• Skilled nursing facility: with 24-hour services, this is a good choice for those who need medical supervision as well as assistance for daily living.

For more information on senior living communities, read our blog “Top 10 Considerations When Choosing a Senior Living Community.”

For now, and the future

Deciding what type of lifestyle is important to you is something you need to think about as you work through these decisions. Time doesn’t stand still, so decisions need to be made for today and what may come in the future. If you’re interested in independent living, you should have options in place in case you need to move to assisted living or skilled nursing.

Start with a plan

One way to make sure you have a smooth transition is to make a plan. Detail each step, collect information and organize a timeline so that the move runs smoothly. You can also consider hiring a moving solutions company, such as WayForth, to help facilitate your move.

If you’d like to explore more about these topics, join us at our next Fall Webinar Series discussion on October 18.

RSVP today!

October 18, 2022 (2-3pm EST)
The When and Where of Moving with Vera Ballard, Director of Corporate Accounts at WayForth
Before you start packing boxes and gearing up to move, consider these questions. When am I moving? Where am I moving to? You can best utilize your moving experience by following a timeline and envisioning your future in the new space. Let’s explore this further with Vera Ballard.

If you or a family member would like information on how WayForth can help you with our comprehensive moving solutions, please contact our moving professionals today at 1.844.WAYFORTH.