Settling in at a retirement community: advice from the team

Stop by a Holiday Retirement community and immediately you’ll see firsthand how our community management team members see their work as much more than a job to serve the residents. They truly enjoy helping older adults make the most of their retirement years among friends and neighbors.

That passion reignites itself each time a new resident moves into a community. While this is an exciting day for our team members, it can sometimes be an overwhelming one for seniors and their families. Transitions of any type can be challenging at first, which is why it can often help to seek advice from the individuals who have been there before. Holiday Retirement community management team members have helped many seniors settle in as Holiday residents, and have a wealth of advice to share with older adults who are making the move to senior living for the first time.

“I often explain to new residents how change can often generate a sense of being overwhelmed,” explains Sally Gradeless, enrichment coordinator for Holiday Retirement’s Parkside Court. “I encourage them to remain calm and take their time getting acclimated to their new surroundings and routine.”

The Holiday lifestyle is anything but dull thanks to the full calendar of events. New residents are often quite pleased to find some of their favorite hobbies are among the list of activities, such as knitting, trivia and exercise classes. But beyond activities that residents already know they enjoy, the variety of events allow residents to try out new things and perhaps discover a favorite interest they didn’t even know they had.

“Try as many activities and go to as many events or performances as you want, then decide which ones interest you the most,” says Sally. “You never know what something is like until you experience it firsthand.”

At the end of the day, a move to senior living is a transition quite similar to many other changes and transitions we all experience throughout our lives. If you’re helping your aging parent or loved one settle in at a senior living community, remember not to rush the transition and always reach out to our community management team members with any questions. These dedicated individuals are one of the best resources new residents and their family can have.

As Monique Foote, enrichment coordinator for Holiday Retirement’s Maple Suites, explains to new residents, “embrace the transition; think about it as a new chapter that will be filled with opportunities to meet great people and experience new adventures.”