Uprooting your whole life can be challenging, especially when the destination is a retirement village. You will need to downsize your lifelong possessions and leave the home you’ve lived in for the largest chunk of your life, which makes the transitions more difficult. Fortunately, despite being full of dread, there are tactics to adopt that will make the process easier – read below for more information.
Research The Location
Every retirement village will provide a slightly different way of life, from the on-site activities to the surrounding area. Therefore, you should research the location and make sure you’re happy with the location. For example, facilities like Belmont Village are usually perfectly situated with access to restaurants and transport routes, which makes it perfect for when the family comes to visit.
Speak To Current Residents
Nobody knows the location better than the current residents, so visit the retirement village and get talking. Ask them questions about things you’ve seen in the brochure, as they are the ones that experience it on a daily basis. If you’re concerned about social activities, find out what happens during the week. As well as finding out information from a resident’s perspective, you’re setting yourself up with a friend after moving.
Get Sociable
If you live in a city, you likely only speak to your neighbors in passing. However, if you make the move to a retirement village, you will have a thriving social life with the other residents. To accompany an assisted living environment, the village will host a full event calendar, in which you should get involved. If you speak to the people in charge, they may let you visit during an event, which will help you feel more comfortable before you make the move.
Understand Fees
Retirement villages can make life more enjoyable. However, it will come at a high cost. Therefore, you should read through the terms of the contract and make sure you understand all of the fees. In particular, you should take a look at additional services that need paying for, which can catch you off guard if you’re not careful.
Downsize
You will feel strange when you transition to a retirement village, especially if you’ve been living in a sizeable family home. To cope with the size difference, you will need to downsize. You can sell pointless possessions, which can help pay for the move. Alternatively, you can gift items to family members, who may benefit from your large cabinets and furniture. You don’t need to discard special items, but you should use the opportunity to have a completely new start.
Reaching retirement age can be overwhelming because you’ll have more time on your hands, which can be a struggle to fill if you live alone. Therefore, you should consider moving to a retirement village, where you will be able to socialize with other residents and receive care when necessary. To help you with the transition, make sure you understand the terms and conditions and visit the location in person.
