Making the Move to an Independent Living Community

Posted: March 19, 2024

Making the move from your own home to living in an independent living community can be both exciting and challenging. Once you’ve found the community that is right for you, there are a few things you can do before and after moving to independent living help you adjust to life and enjoy retirement in your new surroundings. Read more about transitioning from work to retirement.

Finding the Right Community

Today’s independent living communities offer maintenance-free living with a variety of services and opportunities for socialization. Moving to an independent living community where you have access to health care, amenities like elevated dining, housekeeping, and planned social activities with a built-in community is a great way to spend your retirement.

To begin, start with where you would like to live. Some seniors want to use retirement as an opportunity to move closer to family, while others want to move somewhere they’ve always dreamed about, near the ocean or perhaps to the mountains.

Once you’ve decided on where you’d like to live, begin exploring housing options that fit your budget, lifestyle preferences and care needs. How much space do you want? Are you ready to downsize? If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll want to find a community that offers activities where you can fulfill your sense of adventure. If you’re looking to find new friends and make social connections, you’ll want to find a community with an active Life Enrichment program that provides residents with activities that suit your style.

An independent living community traditionally does not provide medication management or assistance with the tasks of daily living. While you might not need this type of care now, you should consider the possibility of needing some support down the road.

A Continuing Care Community like Casey’s Pond offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support and short-term rehabilitation to help residents with their changing needs. Having a continuum of care that adapts to your needs as they change over time allows you to age in place with the security of knowing care is available if you need it.

Preparing Before the Move

You’ve chosen your community, and now it’s time to prepare to move. You’ll want to allow yourself plenty of time to go through your possessions and decide what you will keep, give away to family or friends, discard, or donate. Acknowledge the grief you might feel by moving out of your home and your neighborhood. Plan in advance to have a housewarming party to give everyone a chance to see your new place once you’ve settled in.

Make the most of community tours. Meet as many team members as possible. Ask if you can participate in community events and eat in the dining room before your move so you can get a feel for the community and meet some of the residents. At Casey’s Pond, we offer a variety of health and wellness events that you can view. As well, the culinary team has shared the healthy recipes and nutritional foods from The “Cooking at Casey’s” show that can still be found on Casey’s Pond YouTube channel. The recipes offer residents and family members the step-by-step instructions for preparing these fabulous superfood infused recipes.

Make sure you understand the admissions process and what move-in day will be like. Find out if the community offers moving assistance or consider hiring a senior move manager. When packing, make an essentials box and overnight bag that includes things you will want easy access to upon arrival like your alarm clock, a night light, pajamas, toiletries, medicines, coffee maker and mug, a pillow and any other items that you’ll want that first night. 

Tips for Adjusting After You Move

Give yourself time to adjust to your surroundings after you move. It may take a few weeks or even longer to get used to this new phase of life. Here are a few tips to help you adjust after moving to independent living:

1. Personalize and decorate your space. Use this opportunity to create a fun and inviting space. Bring your favorite chair and pictures to hang on the wall, and mementos that bring you joy. Buy yourself a housewarming present, something that highlights your personality.
2. Continue activities you enjoy. Just because you live in a new place doesn’t mean you can’t keep your old hobbies and connections with your church, your friends or organizations you’re involved in.
3. Stay active. Or use this opportunity to get active. Take advantage of wellness programs, the fitness center or other opportunities for exercise.
4. Find new friends. It can be daunting to put yourself out there and you might be tempted to hide in your apartment but the quicker you begin to make friends, the more you’ll enjoy this new phase of life.
5. Get involved. Find out what clubs, committees or events your community offers and volunteer to help. If you’ve moved to a new city, getting involved in charities, churches or community organizations will give you a sense of purpose and belonging.

The Retirement Lifestyle at Casey’s Pond

Surrounded by picturesque mountains, the warm and nurturing atmosphere at Casey’s Pond in Steamboat Springs, Colorado inspires lifelong opportunities for retirees to grow and thrive. Our award-winning Independent Living community creates a retirement lifestyle that’s down-to-earth and pure enjoyment. Whether you enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, biking and fishing—or gentle yoga and fitness classes—you can fulfill your sense of adventure. In addition to activities outside of Casey’s Pond, our Life Enrichment program provides residents with activities within the community.

As you prepare and plan for your move to an independent living community, we are here to help answer questions you have and point you to helpful resources. Contact us today for more information and read what residents have to say about life at Casey’s Pond.