Senior couple moving to Independent living community in Richmond, VA.

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We’ve Got the Tips to Help You Make the Move!

Tips for Making the Move to an Independent Living Community

The current national real estate market is hotter than Richmond asphalt at noon in August. If you’ve thought of selling your home, you’ll still need a place to lay your head. That’s why many seniors are considering a retirement community in Richmond like Lakewood. They know they can live independently and have the peace of mind, should their health needs change, in our full continuum of care in our Health Services.

Five-step plan

Remember every successful project starts with a plan, so here are some tips for  making the move to senior living easier. Moving experts recommend creating a binder to keep yourself organized. It can include:

    • Scheduling: Create a calendar of key dates and milestones.
    • Task lists: Define goals for each day, writing  down who will need to be involved to reach those goals. Note: You’ll want to schedule some downtime between days to allow yourself time to rest and reflect.
  • Stay in touch: Write down contact information for where you’re moving, as well as numbers for friends, family and movers. It will be good to have it all in one place.
  • Get it in writing: If you’re hiring movers, get estimates and keep receipts.
  • Inventory: Take pictures or make a list of what you’re taking with you.

Eight tips for making the move to independent living in Richmond

Most communities offer a variety of residential options designed for a low maintenance and easier lifestyle. Plus, experts say clutter creates anxiety. In short, mess equals stress. To help you tackle the clutter here are eight suggestions:

  • Stock up: Gather garbage bags, empty boxes, tape, markers, paper towels and cleaning products.
  • One room at a time: Your bathroom  or a closet is usually a good place to start. But don’t move on to another room until you’ve finished the one you’re in.
  • Sort: Put everything in each room into four categories: Keep, Sell, Donate, Trash.
    A good rule of thumb: If you haven’t opened a box or used an item in a year, it’s probably not a necessity.
  • Get help: Consider inviting adult children to assist in the sorting process. They’ll surely claim some of the items placed in the Sell or Donate boxes.
  • Take your time: If you’re unsure about what to do with something, place it in the Keep box, but be sure to revisit items in that box again in a month. At some point though, you’ll need to decide whether or not you can live without it.
  • Reduce closet clutter: To keep clothing, it must meet two criteria: 1. It must fit. 2 It should be in style. A good rule of thumb: If you haven’t worn it in two years, you probably don’t need it anymore.
  • Clean the kitchen: It’s worth noting that if you’re considering a move to a senior living community like Lakewood, we have a culinary team that creates delicious dishes every day. So you may not need a lot of your kitchen/cooking items.
  • Have fun: Put on some of your favorite music. Invite a friend to help. 

Celebrate new beginnings

When tackling any big project, it can be easy to focus only on your to-do list. One of the best tips for making the move to senior living more enjoyable is to celebrate. In this situation, you can celebrate your move, but also celebrate the good times and memories you created in your current house. Plan on a treat at the end of the day: maybe ice cream, a favorite cocktail or special dinner. And once you’ve wrapped up, consider hosting  a party in your now empty house. If you bring in food, cleanup should be a breeze.

Celebrate every day at Lakewood

We hope you found these tips for making the move to senior living helpful. If you’re ready to make the move to an independent living in Richmond, consider Lakewood. We’re the area’s only continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offering the security of Life Care. Our team at Lakewood and resident-centric culture will enhance your active lifestyle and is backed by LifeSpire of Virginia, an organization that’s been serving seniors for over 70 years.