Making the Move into a Retirement Residence & Downsizing

Moving, at any point in your life is overwhelming, whether it is into your first apartment, new home or retirement residence.  The to-do-list can be daunting to say the least, but making the move from a family home into a retirement residence or assisted living facility adds a large emotional aspect.  Most of the time, this move means downsizing from a home to apartment style accommodation.  With this comes the thought of going through years of treasured personal items which, understandably, causes some stress.

Getting rid of these treasured items is an emotional loss for some of us and as with any loss it is important to honour the emotion that goes along with it.  The memories and stories surrounding these items is often more important than the item itself so consider taking the extra time to create a keepsake book of photos and stories to help cherish and remember these memories. 

It is also much easier to part with things if we know they will be used or appreciated by someone else. So research companies in your area who can help you sell, donate or recycle unwanted items.  You will also come across items that you already have a home in mind for, for example items you want your family and friends to enjoy.  Having a contact list ready before hand, will make it easier when or if you need to contact them.

Now you can break the process down into manageable tasks.  I recommend starting by getting rid of the obvious.  Every home has its chipped coffee mugs, collection of flyers, pens that don’t write, duplicate coffee makers and mismatched socks.  Once you have finished this take a thorough look in your closets and drawers to remove clothes that don’t fit, or those you haven’t worn in the past year.  This will help you get started and ease yourself into the process.

Next, consider tackling the areas of the house you use the least.  For example the spare room or garage.  These spaces are less likely to be over-cluttered so you will see faster progress, keeping the momentum going.

Select furnishings, keepsakes and meaningful decorations to move with you.  Be sure to have a clear objective in mind, the best approach is to bring enough to fit the space without overwhelming it.  Make sure you have your new floor plan, a tape measure and some patience.  Begin selecting items that are both functional and familiar.  Make sure to incorporate your favourite paintings, framed photographs, treasured souvenirs, family heirlooms and most cherished personal items.  This will create a comfortable atmosphere that will make your new place feel like home.

The next step is determining items that can be sold, auctioned or donated.  Selling items is a fantastic option because someone else can cherish the item and make their own stories around them.  For items that are not sellable, you can donate them to local charities and people in need.  There are also some organizations that will provide you with tax receipts for your donated items.

Moving into a retirement residence isn’t always easy, but you are not on your own.  There are so many resources to help and people, just like you, who have made the transition that would be happy to share their story.

For more information about local downsizing resources email Suzie Mandziak at smandziak@masterpieceretirement.com.  Suzie is the Lifestyles Manager at Masterpiece River Ridge, a retirement residence in Medicine Hat , Alberta that offers supportive living, assisted living and continuing care.  www.MasterpieceRetirement.com

Tips on Choosing a Retirement Residence

Are you looking for a retirement home for yourself or a loved one? This is an overwhelming, emotional and difficult process for so many of us. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.

Retirement residences, seniors housing, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or independent living communities vary as widely as the different names used to describe them. Each individual building, no matter what it is called, differs from one to another.  In physical construction, location and ambiance to amenities, programs, pricing, services and levels of care provided. 

The key to starting out is to decide what is most important to you or your loved one.  Make a list of what you feel is essential and another list you feel you can be more flexible with.  With this in mind, identify the facilities in and around your preferred location. Do some research, before setting up a tour, to see which ones match your criteria the closest? You can gather information by requesting an information package in the mail, or searching in the internet.

Visiting a retirement residence in person is another critical phase in choosing the best suited residence for you.  Just like buying a new home it is important to consider as many facilities as possible until you find the one that is just right.

For each tour:

-  Take a list of your criteria along with any questions you may have.  Having the list will ensure you get the most out of these tours and address all of your questions at each building. Don’t hesitate to keep notes from each tour to compare during your evaluation. 

-  Take notice of the small things. For example: How long did you wait before you were greeted? Were the employees friendly and hospitable? Was the building clean and well maintained (even in areas off the “beat and track” like stairwells)? Did your tour guide ask about your personal wants and needs? Were they helpful and patient explaining all of the details to you?

- Talk to as many people as possible including staff, residents, families and friends. A few simple conversations will offer you other perspectives and give you a better overall feeling for the residence.

- You can request a list of referrals from the facility; these are typically residents or family members that you can contact directly at your convenience. 

-  Even if you or your loved one doesn’t require medical assistance now, take the time to ask how it’s provided if required down the road. 

-  Some retirement communities offer different levels of care within the building. If you are touring a community with nursing facilities, ask to see these areas and find out how people are assessed and moved from one area to another.

-  In most seniors living environments at least one meal a day is provided, so it’s a good idea to sample the food at least once and important it is enjoyable. Book your tour to include a lunch if you can, but plan to visit your short-listed homes again for dinner.

-  Some retirement homes offer potential residents a trial stay lasting anywhere from one night to a few days in a fully furnished suite. This is a fantastic opportunity to take part in the buildings activity program and get to know the staff and residents better.

Once you have seen all of the buildings from your list, refer back to your original criteria to start your evaluation. Eliminate facilities that don’t meet your needs and schedule follow up meetings, tours and meals at those remaining on the list. Make sure to try and visit at different times throughout the day to meet different staff members and see the different activity levels throughout the day.

Remember, it isn’t always about which building has the biggest suite or the best amenities, the most important factor is that you or your loved one feels welcome and at home.

Suzie Mandziak is the Lifestyles Manager at Masterpiece River Ridge, a Retirement Residence in Medicine Hat, Alberta that offers supportive living, assisted living and continuing care. For more information about Masterpiece River Ridge visit www.masterpieceretirement.com.