Moving into a new retirement living residence for the first time can feel overwhelming. I’ve helped many older adults learn to navigate their new home, and when my youngest son went to highschool for the first time, I found the advice I gave him was nearly the same.
Retirement living is a catch phrase that often involves senior housing that is a a mix of support services such as housekeeping and meals, some recreation opportunities, and often some limited care services. Retirement living can be a great residence to make one move into, and be able to manage many of your changing needs in the coming years. Some retirement residences are more focused on an independent living lifestyle, while others cover more changing needs.
You have a choice how you view this new experience. You can be upset about the home you are leaving behind and feel you are losing your independence. Or, you could choose to view this as a new adventure, with new opportunities waiting for you. Retirement living will be what you make of it. Make a choice to embrace this change. You never know, you might find that having the extra support, and the abundance of new social and recreational activities can improve your quality of life.
Say hi to everyone you meet
Just like I told my son to say hello to those classmates sitting near him when he gets settled in a class, you too should be saying hi to those you meet. A simple hello to everyone you meet – the person you sit next to in exercise class, the person waiting for the elevator – can take you places. Being the one to start a conversation can lead to getting to know other residents. You never know when you’ll find someone with similar interests who can become a new friend.
Do what you love
This one seems true in going to school, dating life and moving to retirement living. When you go to the activities, you will find your people. Go to the yoga class, go to photography club, go to the cooking class. If you love the activity, then you automatically have something in common with everyone there. It makes it easier to start up a conversation and make new friends over a shared interest.
Keep your door open on moving day
It’s no secret that moving boxes and furniture coming in will attract a bit of attention from the current residents. Leave your door open so neighbours can pop their head in and introduce themselves. It can be especially nice to meet a neighbour and tell them to pop by when they go to a meal or a class, to swing by and knock on your door to help you find your way.
Hang out in the lobby
Just as I told my son to hang out in the open areas at lunch and look for a group of kids to go introduce himself too and ask if he can have lunch with them, the same can work in retirement living. Hang out and people watch or start up conversations while sitting in the lobby or one of the sitting areas. If you aren’t sure where to go, ask for assistance from other residents who pass by. You never know who will strike up a conversation or who will sit down and chat for a few minutes.
Go to the exercise classes
In high school many kids hang out in the fitness centre at breaks. In retirement living, these exercise classes are often the most regularly attended classes and a great way to slowly learn names for many residents. Listen as the instructor greets people into the class. This makes it easy to learn some names of residents, as the other classes it can be hard to get to know everyone by the end of the hour. Exercise classes often happen weekly, if not multiple times per week, and give you that opportunity to get to know more residents consistently.
It may have been many decades since you walked into a new school, but sometimes those butterflies creep up on us, even when moving into a new retirement living residence. Knowing some ways to make new friends quickly can help you feel more at ease as you settle into retirement living. Afterall, the social connections is probably part of the reason why you decided to move into a retirement living residence.
I always counsel my clients that it may take up to 3 months to truly feel at in your new home. The first month may feel overwhelming to get your life downsized into a smaller suite and find your way around. The second month, you are starting to get your groove – you can find your way around, you know some of the residents. By month three – that is where the magic happens. You have usually found your people, your suite now feels more home like, and you might actually be enjoying your new home.
If you aren’t sure about what retirement living residence can meet your future needs, or need help figuring out what housing option can be a best fit for you – then consider booking one of my one-to-one housing navigation consultations. Finding the right property, and the right fit for you is important. Or visit the Edmonton55 Housing Directory to learn about different retirement living options.
