Moving on Up: How to Make Your Senior Living Apartment Feel Like Home

Making the move to an independent living community marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for seniors, but it can also bring practical and emotional challenges.

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious and uncertain about such a big life change. It’s important to find ways to make the transition as uncomplicated and low-stress as possible so that you can focus on the opportunities a fresh start gives you – new routines, new friendships and new memories.

Here are some steps to help you navigate the practical and emotional aspects of your move, including how to make a senior apartment feel like home and how to make friends in a senior living community.

Packing and preparing

Transitioning to a new home means saying goodbye to a familiar space full of memories and possessions. It’s important to acknowledge the feelings of sadness and loss that come with moving – give yourself permission to grieve for the home you’re leaving behind.

But it’s also important to look forward to the opportunity for growth and renewal that comes with a new beginning. Living in an independent living community gives you the chance to create new routines that prioritize wellness, leisure, hobbies and social connections.

Moving also gives you a chance to declutter and streamline your living space by downsizing. While it can be hard to let go of personal belongings, downsizing can be a meaningful and liberating process that lets seniors focus on what’s truly essential to them as they settle into their new home. Sorting through your belongings can spark cherished memories and help you decide what objects are truly essential for your next chapter.

When downsizing before a move, consider simplifying your decisions by assigning each of your belongings to one of these four categories.

• Keep items that are especially meaningful, beautiful or essential in the new home.
• Gift treasured pieces and heirlooms that can be passed on to children, grandchildren, siblings and good friends.
• Donate useful items that could benefit others in need.
• Sell or discard belongings that hold no sentimental value or no longer serve a useful purpose.

Sometimes the best way to hold onto an item is to find a new format for it. For items that are difficult to part with but don’t quite fit into your plan for your new home, consider creative ways to preserve them.

For example, you might digitize old photos, letters and documents so that they’re accessible and easily shared with family. Or you might take photos of items with sentimental value that are too big to fit in your new home. You can keep the photos in a scrapbook along with a few sentences explaining each item’s significance. This approach keeps the emotional connection alive while lightening the physical load.

Decorating with purpose

You want your new home feel safe, comfortable and uniquely yours. It’s important to create a sense of familiarity and continuity in your new space.

For some seniors, this means mirroring certain aspects of their previous home’s layout. Try placing your nightstand on the same side of the bed or situating your couch and chair in the same positions you’ve grown used to. Displaying family photos, favorite pieces of artwork and other pieces of meaningful décor can also help personalize your new apartment.

It’s also important to embrace what’s new and different about your living environment. You might find that a new apartment layout or new pieces of furniture better suit your lifestyle or help you establish new routines. Have fun mixing the old and the new to create a living environment that feels right for this new chapter.

Consider getting some houseplants to add color and vibrancy to your space. Houseplants are also good for your health. Studies show that houseplants help purify the air, boost your mood, lower blood pressure and anxiety, and give a sense of accomplishment when tending to them.

Finally, treat yourself to a housewarming gift. Moving is hard work, and even after you’re unpacked and settled in, you might still be experiencing some emotional fallout from the process. Reward yourself with something special to mark the occasion, whether it’s buying a new coffee table, hanging a new piece of art or enjoying a favorite drink or snack.

Embracing community

While your apartment is your new private living space, your “home” now includes an entire community filled with opportunities for new experiences and connections. The sooner you begin exploring what your independent living community has to offer, the sooner you’ll discover new routines, passions and friendships.

Get involved early by checking the events calendar. Group activities like walking clubs, fitness classes, game nights and organized outings are great ways to meet new neighbors with shared interests.

Say hello and introduce yourself to other community residents you encounter in hallways and other common spaces – you never know where you might meet a new friend. Also take advantage of your community’s welcome volunteers. At Holiday by Atria, many residents are eager to show new neighbors around, answer their questions and introduce them to people you have things in common with.

Joining an independent living community can be a little like your first day at school, college or a new job – it takes time to get to know people and form meaningful connections, so don’t feel too overwhelmed or discouraged if you don’t make ten new best friends on day one. Focus on one genuine connection at a time instead of feeling pressured to meet everyone at once. Your friendships will grow naturally over time as you find more points of connection with your neighbors.

You’ll also want to explore what kind of routines work best for you in your new home. There might be certain routines you want to continue from before your move – a morning walk, say, or a Sunday lunch with family members – but you’ll also have ample opportunities to try new things. Consider devoting more time to your passions, whether by taking an art class, joining a gardening club or reading books you’ve always wanted to get to. You could also look into volunteering opportunities in the local community to stay engaged.

Adjusting to your new home

Moving can be a big transition, and it might take some time for you to feel at home and comfortable. It’s common to feel a mix of emotions as you get used to your new circumstances.

Many residents feel isolated or lonely after the initial excitement fades. Joining activities (even as an observer) and sitting with others at mealtimes can help keep you connected to the community during these periods.

Staying connected to family and friends can also help ease the transition. If you have family living nearby, invite them to your community for meals, walks or social events. Schedule phone calls or video chats with loved ones who live farther away.

Consider starting a gratitude board in your new apartment – according to research, showing and expressing gratitude contributes to better emotional health and resilience. Buy a whiteboard and put it in a place where you’ll see it frequently. Every day, write down something positive about your move. For instance, maybe you have more time to focus on hobbies since daily details like cooking, cleaning and maintenance are taken care of. Perhaps you’re experiencing more peace of mind living in a safe, supportive community where neighbors and staff are always nearby. It doesn’t have to be huge. Gratitude can be as small as feeling thankful for the view of the flower garden outside your window.

Remember that new routines take time to establish. Adjusting to new mealtimes, schedules and activities may feel strange at first. Allow yourself patience while you figure out what daily and weekly rhythms work best for you. Over time, you’ll feel more acclimated to your new home, routines and social connections.

Let us help you plan your move

We’re here to make your move as smooth as possible. Holiday employees can provide checklists, floor plans and other helpful things. We can connect you with a moving company that will coordinate your entire transition, pack and move your items, and unpack them in your new apartment.

This is a big change, but it’s also an exciting one. We’ll help you embrace it. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a supportive community of friends that feels like family. Contact us with any questions.

Learn more about Holiday by Atria. Find a location near you and schedule a tour today.