10 Tips to Simplify the Move to Senior Living During the Holiday Season

10 Ways to Make Your Move to Senior Living Easier During the Holiday Season

A move to senior living can be the beginning of a carefree, engaging lifestyle that offers countless advantages and moments of joy — even when it occurs during the holidays.

Here are 10 ways to make the transition to a senior living community easier during the holidays:

1. Start early. A move to senior living is a great opportunity for your parent to sort through their possessions with the goal of living a “lighter” life. Instead of bringing a heavy, bulky sofa they’ve had for years, suggest a love seat or less imposing reading chair. Encourage multipurpose items such as an ottoman that doubles as storage. Photograph any multi-piece collection so they can still enjoy the memories but let go of the actual items. Engage friends and family members in the entire downsizing process.
2. Take advantage of the season. Moving rates are typically lower during the holiday season, and it’s usually easier to book a crew. You might even talk a few young and strong family members into helping out as well. Bring some pizza and play some Christmas music during the process — make it a fun family event!
3. Plan some new traditions ahead of time. Give yourself and your parent something new to look forward to, such as setting up a tabletop tree on moving day or bringing stockings to hang. Make it simple and easy and keep the atmosphere light. Don’t forget to assign someone to bring some cookies and punch on moving day!
4. Meet the neighbors. In the early stages of moving your mom or dad, make a point to get to know their neighbors and those who stop by to say hello. Invite them to come by when you are there so your parents can start to feel as though they are hosting guests in their home.
5. Don’t forget favorite activities. If mom has always loved to go with you and your children to religious services, attend a holiday parade or any other event, keep doing it. There’s no reason for a move to senior living to keep you from doing what has always brought joy to the both of you.
6. Enlist visiting grandchildren or friends. During the holidays, people just naturally get together, and often, it’s the only time that out-of-town relatives or college students get to see their older loved ones. Make a point of bringing them by to see your parent’s new home and tour the community. It’s a great way to make some new memories!
7. Fully enjoy the community decorations. One big bonus of a move to senior living during the holidays is how beautiful everything looks. Special lights, colorful displays, festive music and lots of smiles everywhere. Be sure you take the time to enjoy it all with your loved one and encourage them to participate in events that appeal to them. And also, remind them these are decorations they get to enjoy without crawling through a dusty attic to find them, climbing worn ladders to hang or taking it all down!
8. Get everyone involved. Young grandchildren can come by to sing a few carols. Visiting nieces and nephews could drop by and help your mom or dad wrap a few presents. Invite other friends to stop by and add to the festivities. A move to senior living can be the start of a whole new kind of holiday celebration — one that everyone can enjoy together.
9. Attend a community event with your parents. It might be carols sung by a children’s choir, a holiday theatrical production or wrapping presents for a local charity. If there’s a special event that brings the residents and their families together during the holidays, try to attend.
10. Find the joy. A move to senior living is stressful and can be especially difficult when a person is leaving a home they have enjoyed for many years. Be empathetic and patient with your mom or dad and give them the opportunity to express what they are feeling. Let them know you just want them to be happy and healthy, and you are always going to be a source of support for them. Tell them you are looking forward to some wonderful holidays with them in their new home!

Year-round, you or your loved ones will enjoy a comfortable, homelike ambiance at The Herrick House. Our assisted living and memory care community located in a picturesque setting in Beverly, Massachusetts, offers a beautiful setting for the holidays. We invite you to learn more.

A lot of little extras make our community special.  Contact us today. We’d love to hear from you. Download your free copy of our Family Decision Toolkit guide to learn more about options for your loved one.