After weeks or even months of research, emotional conversations, and countless community tours, you’ve finally found a senior living community that feels right. That alone is something to celebrate. Choosing the right community is a big decision. It’s worth taking a moment to acknowledge that.
But once you make the choice, a new set of questions often follows:
That last one is easy: the experienced team at Kisco Senior Living is here to help. This guide will help you navigate your next steps from decision to move in with confidence.
Once you’ve selected a community, the first step is completing the necessary paperwork. For most kinds of senior living communities, this could include:
Let’s look a little deeper into your specific healthcare to-do’s.
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No matter what kind of community you’ll be living in, it’s a good time to pay a visit to your primary care physician. Get a complete physical check-up and ask for copies of your medical health records and medications.
If you’re moving to a new town or city, ask your current doctor for a referral to a new doctor. Also, be sure to find specialists such as eye doctors, dentists, podiatrists, physical therapists, or anyone else you may need to see in your new location.
Most assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing communities will require new residents to have a physical assessment and care plan completed. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that staff is ready and able to provide you with appropriate personal care.
Your primary doctor can complete your medical assessment. It should include an updated medication list with dosage directions. Ask your doctor to complete and sign all the community’s required paperwork.
In some cases, the community’s medical doctor or nursing director will conduct their own medical assessment so they have a comprehensive understanding of your health needs and can provide the best possible personal care. They may also use this assessment to coordinate ongoing collaboration with your doctor and other specialists.
The assessments are documented in your medical record at the community and will be used to create a personal care plan that addresses your specific needs. In assisted living, your plan may include activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, eating, or moving around the building. It could also include medication management or simple health treatments.
In rehabilitation and skilled nursing communities, the personal care plan will be more extensive and may include physical or occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, dialysis, or other medical procedures. A doctor is required to provide an order of admission for you to enter a skilled nursing or rehabilitation community.
RELATED READING: What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?
Arthur lives with COPD. In reviewing his medical assessment, the assisted living community’s wellness director requested a meeting with him before he moved in to clarify his oxygen use and mobility challenges. The team then developed a plan that matched his needs.
Planning ahead for personal care needs ensures a smooth transition when you move into your new senior living community.
For many families, moving to senior living means downsizing or getting rid of excess furniture and possessions to fit into a smaller living space. Downsizing can feel overwhelming, but breaking the process down into steps keeps you focused.
As Marie Kondo famously says, “Keep only items that sparks joy.” When sorting through your belongings, the five-box approach can help you get started.
Set up a box for items you want to:
This method helps you make decisions and prevents procrastination. Be deliberate and honest in your choices. Focus on only keeping items that are critical for your daily routine and contribute to your comfort and well-being.
Take detailed measurements of each room in your new home so you’re confident the furniture you bring fits in the allotted space. Or ask the community manager to send you floor plans with square feet measurements. Also, review the size of the closets and storage spaces to ensure there’s room to store your clothes, kitchen equipment, dishes, books, mementos, and other belongings appropriately. Clutter can be dangerous for seniors and pose tripping hazards. It’s essential to have clear walkways and designated areas for sitting, eating, and sleeping in your new home.
For example, Arthur wanted to bring his king-sized bed, but his daughter was worried it wouldn’t fit. After measuring the bedroom, they saw it would fit, but there would be no room for his dresser and the closet was small. They decided to get a smaller bed instead to fit his dresser.
To reduce clutter and preserve family memories, digitize your documents and photos. This saves space and keeps your important documents safe and accessible. Numerous apps and services are available to simplify and make this process convenient. Cut down on your files by scanning vital documents like tax returns and store them on your computer or in the cloud. Also, digitize old photographs and mementos to create a digital archive of your cherished memories.
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While you’re packing for your move, don’t forget to notify vendors, services, and others who need to know.
Notify service providers about your new address, including banks, doctors, credit cards, insurance companies, investment advisors, and subscription services. Set up mail forwarding using the USPS’s online tool or filling out a form at your local post office. If your community allows it, start forwarding your mail a week or so ahead of the move so that nothing gets lost during the transition.
Inform family, friends, neighbors, club members, church members, and other relevant organizations about your move and include your new address. Many senior living communities, including select Kisco communities, will supply you with special postcards to send out to your list.
Arrange for utilities (water, electricity, gas, landline, cable, and/or internet) and service providers like security systems to be disconnected at your current home and set up services at your new address, if needed. Check with your senior living community for details.
The staff at your senior living community are your best resources for planning a successful move. They can help you find service providers, such as movers, and provide contact information for utilities. Make sure to inform them of your plans so they’re ready for you when you arrive.
Expect a warm welcome! Staff will greet you, hand over keys, finish any leftover paperwork, and offer a quick orientation. You may meet neighbors or other residents as you make yourself at home. Often, the community will provide you with a welcome gift or bring a meal to your apartment to make you feel comfortable.
The first step is deciding where you want your furniture to be placed. It’s best to wait until your furniture is in place before starting to unpack your boxes. If you’ve requested it, staff or an outside service may assist you with unpacking.
Tips to make the move-in day easier:
During the first few days, you’ll meet community managers, team members, and dining staff. You’ll meet more neighbors at mealtimes and in the hallways. Activity staff members will invite you to attend events and explore the community spaces. If you need daily personal care or medication management, your team will meet with you to establish a schedule.
A daily routine can help you feel at home. For example, start every day with a walk around your new community or go to the gym after lunch. If exercise isn’t your thing, have dinner in the dining room at the same time every evening. Find your favorite spots in the community, like a sunny reading nook or garden bench where you feel comfortable and visit them often. These activities provide structure to your day and give you plenty of chances to meet your neighbors.
More than anything else, it’s the people you meet who’ll make you feel at home. Don’t hide out in your apartment. Find social groups and activities that interest you. Attend a book discussion, art class, bridge group, or afternoon tea. Volunteer to be a part of the resident council or join the bowling team. You won’t be the “new person” for long when you make a point to get involved in your community.
RELATED: Exploring Social Activities in Senior Living
If you’re moving to a new city or town, find places in the community to spend your time. Find a new church to attend and a favorite restaurant for Sunday brunch. Look for a new hairdresser, grocery store, pharmacy, and library. Alternatively, if you’re not mobile, explore the amenities your community offers and schedule regular visits to take advantage of them.
For example, Arthur set up a weekly appointment with the community barber for a shave and haircut and visited the community snack bar every morning for coffee.
Keep in touch with your family and let them know how you’re settling in. When they visit, show them around the community and introduce them to your new friends. Take them to an event or treat them to a meal in the dining room. If you’ve forgotten something from home or need something for your new home, coordinate with them to bring it when they visit.
RELATED: Supporting the Family When a Loved One Moves Into Senior Living
Most communities will schedule a check-in within the first week and again after the first month. These check-ins allow you, staff, and your family to update personal care plans as needed and address any last-minute inquiries or needs.
On a visit, Arthur’s daughter noticed that he was having trouble buttoning his shirt. The team immediately added dressing to his ADL plan.
Communities often provide families with ongoing communication tools, such as newsletters, online family portals, or designated point-of-contact staff members, to facilitate regular updates. Make sure you give the community and your family permission to use these tools if you’d like them to.
A move to senior living is a new beginning. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Adjusting to a new home takes time. Some days will feel exciting, others a little uncertain. That’s okay. You’re not alone. Your neighbors all had the same experience. Ask for help when you need it. Be open to the new opportunities available to you. And stay connected with your friends and family. Make them a part of your “new normal.”
Disclaimer: Information provided above may vary by community. We encourage you to speak directly with each Senior Living community to confirm specific details and ensure the community is the right fit for your individual needs and preferences.
