Posted June 25, 2019

Moving into a Retirement Community:

Here’s how to make the experience a positive one

The idea of leaving a house and moving into a retirement community brings with it a myriad of emotions. Whether you’re moving into an Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care or Skilled Nursing facility, it can be a stressful time. “At Beacon Hill, we commonly find that emotions are all over the board. Some seniors experience excitement as they look forward to enjoying life without homeownership responsibility. Others feel a sense of anxiety and fear of the unknown,” Sales Director, Laurie Freshour, CASP shared. “There’s really no way to predict how everyone will react to this purposeful life change. Our experience has shown that the best way to approach it is with early preparation, loving support, and a positive mindset.”

Start Planning Early

The earlier you begin investigating your options, the better. Many retirement communities have a Wait List–some up to several years. At Beacon Hill, we advise reaching out and getting your name on our list well before you plan to retire. After you’ve gotten yourself on a Wait List, there are still other factors that warrant early preparation. Here are some to consider:

Finances
It’s not uncommon for people to save less than they’ll actually need, and to confuse the roles of Medicare and Medicaid for financial aid. Beacon Hill is happy to help you sort through the financials to get you started on the right savings track.

Care Needs
What is the outlook for your health? Do you require medication, or assistance with daily care? Do you have mobility issues or upcoming surgeries? All of these things should be considered when deciding your move-in date.

Lifestyle
Are you married or single? Social or introverted? Do you have a large family or are you looking for new friendships? Enjoying life in a retirement community may happen earlier or later, depending on your stage in life.

Overall, we suggest you begin planning a minimum of five years in advance of when you plan to move. This will leave you adequate time to sort through your finances, care needs, and lifestyle preferences. Then, you can make a positive move while avoiding unnecessary stress.

Do Your Homework (The Fun Part!)

Long gone are the nursing homes of the past. Many of today’s senior communities offer an active retirement life filled with all the perks of a five-star vacation. From on-campus cafés and restaurants to gardens, aquatic centers, and fitness rooms, there’s almost nothing that’s been overlooked. Beacon Hill at Eastgate’s engaging community includes all of the aforementioned, plus a 250-seat auditorium for entertainment, worship, and live performances! Figure out your retirement lifestyle needs and wants, then do your homework to make sure the community you’re interested in offers them.

Embrace This New Chapter

At Beacon Hill, we find that many residents aren’t the least bit reluctant to move out of their house and into independent living, and we often hear, “I’m ready for that next chapter in my life. I can’t wait to get started!” These are the people who hit the ground running and enjoy every minute of discovery and friendships available here. This mindset is undoubtedly the best way to embrace your new life at Beacon Hill–or any retirement community.

“At Beacon Hill, we do our homework, too, by getting to know each new resident before they arrive. We consider their likes, dislikes, abilities, and needs, in order to prepare ahead of time and help make their transition everything they hoped it would be…and more.” Beacon Hill Sales Counselor Ann Flynn explained. “We offer encouragement and support for our residents as they embrace this new chapter in life.”

Preparing for Peace of Mind

Beacon Hill knows that much of how well the transition into a retirement community goes depends on having a positive outlook. We like to remind our seniors of the peace of mind they’ll experience living a maintenance-free lifestyle. Our on-staff concierge provides ample help getting people settled after they arrive, and residents of Independent Living are paired up with other residents to help them acclimate.

Even more helpful, though, is for residents to get to know all about their retirement community before they make the final move. At Beacon Hill, we encourage future residents to attend our open houses, community events, and restaurants. While here, we suggest sparking up a conversation with other residents to get their tips on settling in. We’re certain that, after making Beacon Hill your “home,” the only question you may have is why you didn’t do it sooner.

Leaving on a Positive Note

Starting to plan early, doing your homework, having support, and keeping the right mindset all contribute to helping make the move into a retirement community a positive one. Most of all, remember to embrace your exciting, maintenance-free new life and look forward to all that the future holds. If we can be of any help, or if you’d like to learn more about the process and add your name to the Beacon Hill Wait List, please call us today at 616-245-9179.

Discover Your Best Life at Beacon Hill at Eastgate

References in order of hyperlink appearance:

moving, retirement, retirement planning