MOVING TO AN OLDER ADULT COMMUNITY -WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME?
If you’re older and have been thinking about the advantages of moving to an older adult community, you’re not alone. As the population ages, more people are considering their housing options. While it’s one of themost difficult decisions a person can make in later life, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
It’s a discussion that should happen when you are still in good health. Making the decision during a crisis is stressful. In other words, make the decision when you want to, not because you have to.
“More often than not, a crisis precipitates the decision to move, but as we get older, we should think about where we would want to live should our house no longer work for us,” says Nicole Moore, learning and development coordinator, United Active Living. “The best option is to make these kinds of decisions while you are healthy and able to fully communicate your concerns and desires.”
One resident, who moved recently into United’s new Fish Creek community said, “I was so familiar with my community all my life so moving here was an adjustment but I can’t say enough about the staff. They’re the most caring, efficient, pleasant, and helpful people. The staff is what helped me make the adjustment.”
Moving to a new community has a range of benefits. People often feel more secure and less lonely than they did before the move. In addition, feeling a sense of relief is common. Mowing the grass and shovelling snow is no longer needed, and a person’s time is more open to pursue new interests within a community of residents who have experienced the same transition.
Many older adults discover new opportunities to develop hobbies or skills and form new bonds with others in the community, which results in an enhanced quality of life.
United wants to ensure a resident move-in is as easy and as comfortable as possible. That is why their Welcome Program is designed to make the transition a positive experience, help build relationships with staff and residents and ensure residents feel safe and secure in their new home.
“Our welcome team is made up of professionals in a number of fields who are passionate about getting to know who you are, what your interests are and how we can make your transition a positive one,” said Nicole Kendall, resident care manager, Garrison Green. “When you move to one of our communities, you will meet with someone from nursing, our creative expression team and our food service team so that we get a comprehensive understanding of how we can partner with you to achieve your wellness goals.”
After you move in, a staff member is assigned to be your welcome coordinator to help you get used to your new environment, introduce you to new friends and to the dozens of activities you may not be familiar with, but that residents find interesting.
Residents notice the difference right from the start.
“When you walk in, you feel the spirit of the place. There’s a good feeling here,” says resident Joyce Doolittle, who wasn’t sure what she was going to do with her time after she retired. “You have a chance to develop aspects of yourself that you couldn’t before because you have more time.”
United Active Living is unique in that it operates from a social perspective rather than a medical one. Residents are in control of the programs and their activities. While the medical side is important, the emphasis is on the arts, socialization and community, which research has shown can go a long way towards improving a person’s health and wellbeing.
Because of its focus on social aspects, United sees residents as more than just the parts that need medical attention. There are hopes, aspirations and interests that determine who you are as a person. United’s welcome team supports those through understanding who you are and what you want the rest of your life to look like, then opening the doors to new opportunities that help you thrive and grow.
That can make all the difference in easing the transition to a new home.
For more information contact United Active Living at 403- 249- 5505, email them at info@ unitedactiveliving.com and visit their website at www.unitedactiveliving.com