The transition into retirement living is a significant milestone but can also be intimidating, bringing on a wave of emotions. This transition provides an opportunity for a new lifestyle, an improved quality of life, a welcoming community, and a less challenging day-to-day life. If the transition to retirement living is something you or a loved one is considering, use this guide for insights and tips to help navigate through the process:
How To Know I Am Ready To Move To Assisted Living
Deciding when to move to assisted living can be a difficult decision, but it is ultimately a personal one. Consider these questions when determining the best course of action:
- Is maintaining your house and yard becoming more difficult?
- Are you experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness?
- Are you finding it challenging to move around your home safely?
- Do you lack the energy to prepare nutritious meals?
- Are you overwhelmed by the decisions you need to make?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time to explore retirement living options. For a more detailed assessment, you can refer to our assisted living quiz.
Why Choose Bergen Gardens?
Bergen Gardens uses a unique citizenship model to organize our community. This process includes inviting the people living at Bergen Gardens to communicate their opinions and needs to each other, and then with the help of their Care Partners and Mentors, go on to participate in planning their life in the community. Within each neighbourhood, we develop a robust support framework focused on various aspects of personal wellness.
Retirement Living Benefits
Choosing Bergen Gardens can provide an array of benefits:
- Personalized Care: Residents receive care tailored to their needs, ensuring comfort and well-being.
- Community Engagement: A wide range of activities and social events foster a sense of belonging and keep residents actively engaged.
- Comprehensive Support: From health care to personal wellness, Bergen Gardens offers a multi-faceted approach to meet the diverse needs of its residents.
Preparing For The Move
Planning Ahead
When you begin planning your transition into retirement living, it is important to start the process early to ensure the process goes smoothly. You can be prepared for the transition by having a checklist that covers all required tasks. This includes organizing your belongings, preparing important documents, and determining if services like movers are required.
Downsizing Tips
Downsizing can be a difficult yet rewarding challenge. Here are some tips to help ease the stress of it:
- Sort & Prioritize: When packing, it is important to prioritize important items. This can be done by determining which items are essential and which items are sentimental or can be given to family/sold.
- Sell Or Donate: For items that are deemed to be given away or sold, an effective way to get rid of these would be a garage sale or donating the items to charity. Many charity organizations have free pick-up services.
- Plan Your Space: It is important to plan the way you’re going to organize your new place. This can be done by visualizing where items may fit and what will go where.
Emotional Preparation
Embracing Change
Transition to senior living can be stressful and emotionally taxing but by focusing on all the positive aspects of the transition, the stress of the transition can be eased. The opportunity to be a part of an inclusive person-centred community with enhanced safety and the opportunity to live a more simple, convenient life are positive aspects to reflect on.
Staying Positive
Remaining positive throughout the transition can help make it easier. Surrounding yourself with friends and family, reminding yourself of the positive additions retirement living adds to your life, as well as speaking your concerns out loud can be effective methods for making the transition easier.
Moving Day Logistics
Hiring Movers
One way to alleviate the stress of moving is by hiring professional movers to make it easier for you. Ideally, look for companies with experience in moving into retirement living with positive reviews.
Packing Strategies
To make packing easier:
- Start Early: Begin packing far in advance to make the transition more seamless.
- Label Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents and where it belongs.
- Pack Essentials Separately: Keep essential items like daily necessities, important documents, and any required medications in a separate place that is easy to access.
Settling Into Your New Home
Making Your Space Your Own
Organizing your new space into your own can make it feel like more of a home. Having pictures of family and pieces from your old home can make a big difference when it comes to feeling comfortable.
Getting To Know The Community
When you first move into Bergen, an effective way to get acclimated is by participating in the many community events and activities; this is a way to engage with the community and develop new friendships. There is an activity for everyone at Bergen and there are multiple activities every day.
Support & Resources At Bergen Gardens
Orientation & Welcome Programs
Bergen Gardens offers orientation programs for new residents to make the transition to assisted living easier. These include tours, staff and resident introductions, and an overview of all the services and activities that Bergen Gardens has to offer.
Ongoing Support
Bergen Gardens staff provide ongoing support to its residents. Whether this is help with moving in or the various supports that include grief support, wellness programs, the sensory room, aromatherapy for memory care, tai chi, spiritual care, end-of-life care, memorials, and helping tenants navigate topics like aging and mental health.
Conclusion: Embracing Your New Lifestyle
Transitioning to retirement living at Bergen Gardens offers numerous advantages, from personalized care and community engagement to enhanced quality of life. Embrace the change with confidence, knowing that a supportive and vibrant community awaits you.
To explore the benefits of retirement living at Bergen Gardens, we invite you to visit us for a tour. Experience firsthand the welcoming environment of our assisted living facility in Winnipeg and see how we can support you in making this exciting transition.
For more information or to schedule a visit, contact Bergen Gardens today.