Tips & Ideas For a Smooth Move In Day

Navigating a New Chapter

Moving mom and dad into senior living is not exactly like dropping off your freshman at college! Both come with a variety of emotions… excitement, nervousness, and recognition that it’s a new chapter for your loved one. We are here to help you.

Move-In Coordination

Many of Traditions’ communities have move-in coordinators to support your family’s transition, so while this could be a first for you, we have done it hundreds of times and wanted to share best practices.

Let’s start with when to move in! We recommend you think of this in two stages:

1. Move in all personal belongings, furniture, clothing, personal care items, kitchen supplies, hang pictures, and unpack.
2. Welcome your loved one to their new home – all setup!

Strategizing the Move-In Process

Mondays—Wednesdays are the best times to move in. This allows more time to help the resident get better acclimated before the weekend.

Communication and Preparation

Once you’ve decided your day, let the move-in coordinator and other staff know what time to expect you. Staff can be sure they have moving equipment, like carts or dollies, ready for your use and will show you what outside entrance will work best. Recognize this may take a full day or more if you move to a bigger apartment or villa/garden home.

Settling into Home Sweet Home

Don’t forget technology! Have the TV and remote in one of those early loads so our maintenance team can hook up cable in time for your loved one to walk in!

Now that the apartment has become a home, your loved one is ready to move in… stress-free. They missed the chaos that comes with any move. All the storage boxes, bubble wrap, and bags have been whisked away. It’s just Home. Sweet. Home.

We can take it from here! We are on hand to ensure they know the way to dining, physical therapy, chapel, or the outdoor courtyard.

Encouraging Socialization and Engagement

We ask all those questions about interests, past professions, and hobbies to pair them with like-minded residents. They will not be sitting alone in the dining room – but rather engaged in conversation and experiencing socialization (one of our core values).

Supporting the Adjustment Period

This may be the hardest part—and much like dropping off your freshman, you need to give them time to adjust. Plan on a visit about a week later to check-in. We’ve found that by then, the fears are diminished, and friendships are starting to be made.