How to Make the New Community Feel like Home

Making Your New Community Feel (And Be) Just Like Home.

Anyone of any age will likely feel the pressures of relocating. The physical mechanics alone are almost designed to induce stress — preparing the former residence for departure, dealing with possessions, the logistics of moving and getting settled in a new environment. Then come the social and psychological challenges of being the “new guy” in the neighborhood, or on the job, or in the classroom. Before long though, we adjust and start enjoying the upside of our new lifestyle choice.
For older adults leaving their longtime home to take up residence in a senior living community, these stressors can be compounded by feelings of anger and sadness from a perceived loss of freedom. Despite moving to independent living, some may feel they’re actually giving up their independence. They may not yet see the chance for dramatic improvement in many areas of their lives that is the hallmark of independent living in a premier retirement community like The Glebe. 
Do you put yourself in this category of “skeptical about senior living”? You see the pros and cons, but you’re still not sure if it’s right for you? If one of your biggest concerns is moving from your private home to a completely different residence in a community living environment, below are some tips that may give you an entirely new perspective. 

Celebrate your new space.

A certain level of excitement and anticipation accompanies setting up a new place. Having family members involved in this process can help you feel more comfortable and at ease. Working together enthusiastically to make the new apartment feel homey and reflect your style and personality can shift the focus from what’s been left behind to what lies ahead. One trick that can help preserve familiar feelings is to take photos of each room before leaving your former home as a guide to arranging items in the new residence. This may be especially important for the bedroom. Arrange the bed, nightstand, and dresser as closely as possible to the original configuration. But if original pieces just don’t work in the new space, have fun splurging on a few new items that will.

5 Easy Design Ideas for the Senior Living Space

1.      Define space within space.
Arrange living zones to define the purpose of each space. A curtain or open shelving can create separation between sleeping and sitting areas. Rugs help create zones and define each nook, instead of giving the impression of one blurred, multifunctional room. Chisel out separate spots for working, reading, and entertaining by enhancing the sense of separation with rugs, a wallpaper feature, or a lightweight screen as a room divider.

2.     Infuse small spaces with big style.
The goal is to avoid visual clutter. That applies to the walls as well. Too many frames can make walls feel like they’re closing in on you. Focus on just one piece of colorful artwork instead — such as a large-scale print, a vibrant photograph, an abstract painting or hand-woven rug. Large works of art can be the defining element of a small space, tying together a color scheme and creating a single focal point that anchors other items in the room. Wall sconces add ambience, illumination and functional style without eating up floor space. They can be used to showcase the art and brighten enclosed spaces.

3.     Get creative with shelving. 
Closet organization is a must. Create a shelving system for shoes, bags and folded sweaters beneath hanging garments in the closet. You can even tuck a small bookshelf into the bottom of the closet to take advantage of vertical space.

4.     Paint walls white.
Or any light, neutral color — ivory, beige, straw, a rich cream or light gray. Lighter colored walls add an airy lightness that makes any small room feel more spacious. Adding a contrasting color to the trim will bring vivid life to small spaces.

5.    Add color with flowers.
For design in small spaces, flowers work wonders. You can always change the colors and styles, but they add a lively impact in vases, small planters and window boxes. For a touch of green, tuck a fiddle-leaf fig in the corner, or line up tiny pots of succulents on a windowsill. The fiddle-leaf fig will thrive in bright light and regular water, and the succulents require very little attention.

Bring whatever memories you can.

Photos, keepsakes, personal items, and any belongings that you  feel comfortable with should receive special attention and remain visible in the new space. Artwork from grandchildren, family portraits, special quilts, and similar items will trigger warm memories and help make this new residence a home. Again, pay particular attention to the bedroom and sleeping area, adding warm lighting, comfortable seating, extra pillow bolsters, and so on.  

Tour the surrounding area.

One fun part about moving to a new place is finding new things to enjoy. Make sure you know something about the neighborhood your community is in and what’s nearby. Walk the immediate neighborhood with family members or friends and find the closest points of interest. Hop in the car and widen your exploration a little. Find the closest restaurants and coffee shops, and stop in for a bite. Browse the stores and chat with local proprietors. Ask for a recommendation on local parks and places where seniors prefer to gather. Find the closest movie theater, bake shop and ice cream stand. If you were to explore The Glebe’s surrounding area, for instance, you’d find exciting places to plan day trips together. Imagine spending the day driving the Blue Ridge Parkway or sampling wine from one of the local vineyards. The options for dining and entertainment are surprisingly rich. 

Explore the community together.

You might even invite a family member to stay for a day or two  in a guest suite at the new community or in a hotel nearby. That way they can spend time with you exploring the community inside and out. The more quickly you orient yourself to where dining venues and other amenities are,  learn what clubs and activities are available, and meet a few residents and staff members, the more comfortable you’ll be in your new surroundings.  

Attend events and enroll in a class.

Independent living at the new community will no doubt offer lots of options and amenities for everyday fitness and engagement. At The Glebe, for example, you can enroll in group exercise classes such as Beginning Exercise, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Gait and Balance. You can also choose from Creative Arts classes, Woodworking and more. The idea is to try new things, keep active and meet people. If there are book clubs, walking clubs or other interest groups, try out as many as you like to see if you enjoy them.  Special events and outside entertainment brought into the community are fantastic perks to enjoy and expand your  social horizons. It shouldn’t take long at all to see that more free time and more interesting options add up to more independence, not less.

Connect socially on social media.

Are you on social media? If not, you might consider joining a local Facebook group or using  a neighborhood app like Nextdoor. This free site helps people stay informed about their immediate surroundings and take part in neighborhood discussions.

Feeling at home at The Glebe.

You’ve been  living independently and taking care of a home for years. It’s true that some people think moving to a senior living community will rob them of their independence, but nothing could be further from the truth. With many of your have-to’s in life replaced by want-to’s, you can have more independence and freedom than ever before.   The range of services, amenities and engaging activities at The Glebe in Southwest Virginia far exceeds the lifestyle of living alone. People who choose The Glebe are very happy they did. Listen to residents in their own words here.

Get to know The Glebe. Contact us today.