Moving Into Senior Living: A Guide for a Smooth Transition

From the decision-making phase of moving to a senior living community to the actual move-in day, there are many decisions to make and things to do.

You may grapple with practicalities like sorting through belongings, determining what to keep and preparing your home to sell.  It’s likely that you will experience a range of emotions—from nostalgia and apprehension about leaving behind a familiar home filled with memories to the excitement for the new experiences awaiting you.

At New Pond Village, a senior living community in Walpole, Massachusetts, we recognize the emotional significance of moving. That’s why our team of associates provides step-by-step guidance to support new residents through this exciting transition. Keep reading to discover how to prepare for each phase of the moving process, from readying your current home to settling into your new residence.

1. Preparing Your Home To Sell

“It was time to make a change and get rid of some of the responsibilities that owning a house had for me. So, it was a move to ease my life.”

– Resident Anne B.

Selling your current home is a crucial step in the transition to a senior living community. To attract potential buyers, maximize your home’s value and make moving less cumbersome, planning is key.

Simple Steps to Downsize

It’s never too early to start downsizing, even years before a planned move.

• A great first step is an annual audit. This enables a homeowner to continually keep up with belongings, making a move easier when the time comes.
• Start by organizing your possessions into categories and decluttering items you no longer need or use.
• Consider donating, selling, or giving away belongings that won’t fit in your new home or no longer serve a purpose.
• Downsizing with a trusted family member or loved one can often make downsizing more manageable. When in doubt, work together!

Click to Download our printable Downsizing Checklist.

How to Declutter

Maximize your home’s selling potential by decluttering, depersonalizing and addressing any necessary repairs or upgrades. Don’t overlook the impact of a fresh coat of paint and enhancing curb appeal to attract eager buyers.

To ensure a smooth process and maximize your home’s value, it’s important to enlist the expertise of a trusted real estate agent who will represent your best interests.

New Pond Village’s Move-in Coordinator

Although every senior living community is different, at New Pond Village, we have a dedicated Move-In Coordinator, Staci Dooley.

Staci serves as the bridge between our sales team and the community – she guides you through the process of preparing the transition from your current home to your new apartment home.  She’ll meet with you regularly to provide guidance, address any concerns and ensure your move-in experience is smooth and stress-free.

Packing Strategies

If you’re considering hiring a company to assist with packing, New Pond Village residents highly recommend trusted moving companies such as Gallo Moving & Storage and Home Again Transitions. They specialize in expertly preparing, packing and relocating cherished belongings with meticulous care and efficiency and are a trusted resource for our residents.

As you get closer to the final move, keep these essentials in an easily accessible designated bag – label it clearly and consider transporting it yourself for quick access:

• Medications
• Important documents
• Toiletries
• A change of clothes

Handling Moving Logistics

Using a moving checklist can help ensure nothing gets overlooked during the hectic moving process. Include tasks such as hiring a moving company, transferring utilities, address changes for mail, obtaining packing supplies and scheduling necessary appointments, such as cleaning or final inspections. Having a detailed plan in place will alleviate stress and keep you on track leading up to moving day.

Download our printable Moving Checklist [Link to Moving Checklist]

Preparing Your Pet for the Move

If you have a pet, it’s crucial to establish a new veterinarian near your new home and ensuring all vaccines are up to date and medications are filled. Coordinate the transfer of your pet’s health records to their new provider to ensure continuity of care.

To minimize stress for your pet during the move, pack their belongings last. This delay reduces panic as they still have the comfort of familiar items while packing chaos unfolds. It also ensures they have access to fresh water and food until you leave the home.

For additional guidance on preparing your pet for the move, consult this moving with pets checklist to ensure a smooth transition. At New Pond Village, our Move-in Coordinator, Staci, can advise on local veterinarians. She also adds special touches to ensure you and your furry friend feel warmly welcomed, including treats for both of you.

2. The Move

From the time you make the decision to move into a senior living community until the time you move in, it can take approximately 2-3 months or longer depending upon the circumstances. This time can go by rather quickly given all that happens during this time – preparing your home to sell, downsizing your belongings and packing to move. However, with a clear plan, access to resources and the support of both family and professionals, navigating this period can be incredibly helpful and comforting.

Making Your New Home Your Own

From recommending and coordinating the moving company to assisting you in selecting finishes, your Move-in Coordinator is personally dedicated to ensuring every detail is in place for your arrival at New Pond Village.

Their expertise extends to various aspects of your new home, including measurements for drapes and furniture, artwork placement, paint colors, flooring choices and granite selection for kitchen and bathroom countertops. They also assist in gathering swatches for drapes, pillows and other home accessories, as well as customizations to the apartment home, such as removing or installing walls.

“When we moved in, the Move-In Coordinator was extremely helpful. They gave us a lot offreedom to choose what we wanted, including closing off a wall and creating a door elsewhere. When we moved in, they even installed the television on the wall.”

– Resident Ken L.

Who Do I Call? | Resources

Creating a list of resources and coordinating your move team is essential to a smooth move.

Your move-in team is the group of people who will be helping you move yourself and your belongings into your new home. As soon as you have a move-in date, it’s important to determine who will be helping you — both on the “big day,” and if you will be moving any items at an earlier time.

Some common people residents include on their move-in teams include:

• Children and their spouses
• Grandchildren
• Professional movers
• Friends or children of friends
• Current neighbors

If you’re looking for the simplest option available and have room in your budget, a trusted moving company will not only take care of loading up the moving truck or van and unloading it at your new home – they will even box up your belongings for you!

Moving into New Pond Village

At New Pond Village, your Move-in Coordinator Staci remains your point person every step of the way including scheduling cable and internet connection and walking you through how to use your new appliances. Empty boxes will be retrieved and she will make sure you have all that you need.

On your first day in your new home, you are provided with a welcome packet containing a calendar of events and menus for the first few days and a listing of who to contact for maintenance, the front desk, medical information and any other community contacts.

While it may take some time to fully unpack and organize your belongings in your new home, communities like New Pond Village offer convenient dining options to alleviate the need to cook. Whether you prefer formal or casual settings, our dining venues provide a variety of delicious dishes, allowing you to relax and enjoy your meals without the hassle of cooking.

3. Getting Settled in Your New Home

Once your boxes are unpacked and you’re settling in, you’ll be eager to add your personal touches and make your new home feel (and look) more like yours.

As you acclimate to your new home, it is not uncommon to realize that you may need another round of downsizing of items to create a comfortable and spacious home. Explore our ‘How to Downsize’ article which suggests following a process of organizing items to keep, discard, sell or give away.

Perhaps your new home is less spacious than what you’re used to. Though small rooms can present many interior design challenges, there are several benefits to compact living. A well-designed scheme can feel just as comfortable as a larger space, with all the coziness and comfort associated with family living.

There are many tips for creating your desired space such as:

• Incorporate reflective materials and mirrors to create a light and airy feel.
• Add a gallery wall to display your favorite photos, artwork, clocks and other treasures. Covering wall spaces from floor to ceiling can make small spaces feel larger.
• Swap bulky furniture pieces for more sleek, multi-purpose options that fold up or offer added storage to reduce clutter and free up floor space.

Welcoming You Home

“Once I moved New Pond Village, I was surprised how quickly I made new friends. When you move out of your neighborhood, you think, “Now what? I’m going to be by myself.” That didn’t happen. I made some really good friends here.”

– Resident Leif E.

With your move behind you, you can begin to explore all that your vibrant new community offers.

New Pond Village has a Welcome Committee made up of both residents and associates. Their role is to show new residents around the community, introducing them to the people and places that make it so special.

Getting the Most from Your Senior Living Community

At New Pond Village, expect to forge new friendships—a major highlight of senior living! Engage in a variety of activities, from off-site excursions to fitness classes and book clubs, connecting with like-minded individuals along the way.

Transitioning to a senior living community involves careful planning, emotional support and expert guidance. All of which, and more, are readily available at New Pond Village.