For some seniors, the decision to move into a retirement community will come easy. For others, it could take one humbling moment to prompt the decision. If you are not sure, you are always welcome to join us for an event, come for a visit and experience what it’s like to live in a community. And while you’re here, ask the experts–the residents. No one can relate better than those who have been where you are.
People move into a retirement residence for a lot of different reasons. They will often ask themselves the following questions to gauge their readiness to make a move.
• Am I lonely?
• Do I feel unsafe in my home?
• Could I use more exercise?
• Are housekeeping chores not as easy as they used to be?
• Am I eating alone too often?
• Have my eating habits changed?
• Have I mixed up my medications?
• Am I relying on friends and family to do things for me?
• Am I caring for a spouse and having difficulties meeting the demands?
At Autumnwood Mature Lifestyle Communities, it is our priority to provide you with a lifestyle that is secure and worry-free. Our trained staff can take care of all of the daily tasks, so you can enjoy your time with family and new found friends. We offer health and wellness options that can aid you in maintaining an independent life and keep you young at heart in a new home you can be proud of.
Downsizing can be overwhelming. The amount of work and the waves of emotion that come with sorting through sentimental items and a life’s worth of stuff is a big task. You may want to start before you find yourself in a crisis situation.
Downsizing has benefits. Going through long forgotten items can be a trip down memory lane. It’s a great time to spend with family and friends, sharing the memories that things hold. It gives you the opportunity to pass on items of sentimental or financial value. Most importantly, downsizing frees you from things that can hold you back from living the life you want.
BEFORE GETTING STARTED
Prepare yourself emotionally for letting go. Picture yourself starting over from scratch. Think about which items you would really want. Make a list of what you can and cannot live without.
Now’s a great time to call the kids to get their stuff from your house. And, you’ll want to stop acquiring new stuff as you go through the process.
SHARING
Make a list of valuables like photographs, family heirlooms, jewellery, sentimental items and assets. Ask family members if there are certain items that they would like to have and note who you want to give things to. Invite the family over to go through items and photographs. If they have special meaning, share the meaning, and share your stories.
WHERE TO START
Start somewhere easy, where there’s not a lot of sentimentality, like sock drawers and linen cabinets.
Work in one or two-hour time periods so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Think about finishing one room at a time, before moving to another.
If you’re having difficulty knowing what to keep, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I really need this?
- Does this have real meaning or value for me?
- How often do I really use this?
If you don’t need it and it has no meaning or value, and if you haven’t used it in over a year, let it go. Let go of books you intended to read, but never got to.
DOING THE PAPERWORK
Sifting through paperwork is difficult: tackle one box at a time. Shred old cheques and banking information.
Start a box or file for important papers that you must keep including deeds, wills, durable powers of attorney, medical records, military records, diplomas and degrees, birth certificates, passports, etc.
Important papers can be kept in a safe or safe-deposit box. Let your closest family members know where to find these papers.
WHERE DOES ALL THIS STUFF GO
Sort stuff as you go through it. This will make it easier when you’re ready to have it leave the house. There are a lot of places you can send things.
- Some stuff will go to family or friends.
- Old medications go to a pharmacy.
- You can sell items at auctions, estate sales, yard sales or online.
- You can donate to charity.
- You can recycle.
- The remainder can go in the garbage.
Downsizing allows you to see the beautiful life you’ve built. You’ve moved through many stages of life and you’ve survived 100% of what life has thrown at you. Downsizing will be no different. There may be some ups and downs, but you will survive. And, you’ll free yourself of things that are holding you back from enjoying life now. With a good plan and the right mindset, downsizing your clutter will uplift your spirit.
This part of your life is as important as any other part of your journey. Your new home will be as important a place as the other places you’ve lived.
Your suite may be smaller than the home you’re moving from. But, the whole building, with all of its common areas and amenities, will be your new house. You’ve actually upsized!
GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE
It can be hard to decide what to bring with you.
Think about bringing:
- Things you are proud of like family pictures.
- Favourite items, like your favourite mug or blanket.
- Things that you may want to speak about with your new friends, like items from your travels.
WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE AT A RETIREMENT RESIDENCE
Remember, you are totally independent. You can come and go from your retirement residence as you wish.
You can do as much or as little as you want to. You can be as social as you want or have as much alone time as you want. How busy you are will be up to you. You get to make your routine what you want it to be, and, you’re going to have lots of opportunities for new experiences.
GETTING SETTLED
Usually, the first day or so is spent with family and friends who are helping you to move in and get set up. Set up your room the way you want it. Make it your space.
With the move and getting accustomed to a new environment, the first week can be a little tiring. But you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll become comfortable.
It’s a great idea to walk around the residence and familiarize yourself with all of the amenities and where they are located.
THE PEOPLE THAT YOU’LL MEET
As you move in, you will spend time with each of our managers, who will want to know about your dietary, medical and social needs. Make sure to tell them all of your needs so that they can accomplish their goal of making sure you’re doing well.
Some of the first people that you’ll get to know will be your table mates. This will be one to three other people who will tell you all about the goings on and the fun things to do at the residence.
Many staff and residents will approach you to introduce themselves and say hello.
If you know someone in the residence already, buddy up with them. It’s always fun to have someone to chum around with.
ACTIVITIES
You can do as much or as little as you want, but we encourage you not to stay isolated in your room. Even just being in the activity areas or lobby can help you get comfortable with your new neighbours.
If you’re feeling shy about attending events and activities, ask a friend or family member to come to the first few with you so that you feel a little more comfortable. Family is always welcome to visit, participate in activities, and spend time with you in common areas. You can even book a reservation for them in the dining room.
Pub nights are especially fun. And, there are usually a few good card games in the evenings.
Make sure to tell our activity coordinator about your hobbies, so that she can recommend a few activities and maybe even add a few new ones to suit your needs.
Read the activity calendar and listen to the announcements – you’re sure to find some activities that you’ll enjoy. Try out different activities – there might be something, that you had never thought to try before, which could become your new favourite thing.
Find out what clubs and committees exist at the residence. There may be one that interests you. If there’s something that interests you, and there is no club, you can work with your activity coordinator to create a new club.
Once you attend a few activities you’ll start to feel yourself fitting right in with your new friends.
GETTING INFORMED
If you’re curious about how things run at the residence, and why, it’s a good idea to attend the resident council meetings. This gives you a voice in what things happen and lets you know what’s coming up.
If you want to find out what has gone on in the residence before you moved in, you can read the minutes of previous resident council meetings.
WHAT THE STAFF WANTS YOU TO KNOW
We believe that the time of your life is right now. This part of your life will have its challenges, like every other part of your life, but there are a lot of good times to be had. This part of your life is important.
We will do our best to help you to enjoy yourself. Be open to new experiences and don’t tire yourself out before you get here!
We’d love to have you over for a tour! Or, if we can help answer any questions, please phone us.
toll-free: 1 (866) 206-2220
VISIT A COMMUNITY
We’d love to have you over for a tour! Or, if we can help answer any questions, please phone us.
toll-free: 1 (866) 206-2220
For some seniors, the decision to move into a retirement community will come easy. For others, it could take one humbling moment to prompt the decision. If you are not sure, you are always welcome to join us for an event, come for a visit and experience what it’s like to live in a community. And while you’re here, ask the experts–the residents. No one can relate better than those who have been where you are.
People move into a retirement residence for a lot of different reasons. They will often ask themselves the following questions to gauge their readiness to make a move.
• Am I lonely?
• Do I feel unsafe in my home?
• Could I use more exercise?
• Are housekeeping chores not as easy as they used to be?
• Am I eating alone too often?
• Have my eating habits changed?
• Have I mixed up my medications?
• Am I relying on friends and family to do things for me?
• Am I caring for a spouse and having difficulties meeting the demands?
At Autumnwood Mature Lifestyle Communities, it is our priority to provide you with a lifestyle that is secure and worry-free. Our trained staff can take care of all of the daily tasks, so you can enjoy your time with family and new found friends. We offer health and wellness options that can aid you in maintaining an independent life and keep you young at heart in a new home you can be proud of.
Downsizing can be overwhelming. The amount of work and the waves of emotion that come with sorting through sentimental items and a life’s worth of stuff is a big task. You may want to start before you find yourself in a crisis situation.
Downsizing has benefits. Going through long forgotten items can be a trip down memory lane. It’s a great time to spend with family and friends, sharing the memories that things hold. It gives you the opportunity to pass on items of sentimental or financial value. Most importantly, downsizing frees you from things that can hold you back from living the life you want.
BEFORE GETTING STARTED
Prepare yourself emotionally for letting go. Picture yourself starting over from scratch. Think about which items you would really want. Make a list of what you can and cannot live without.
Now’s a great time to call the kids to get their stuff from your house. And, you’ll want to stop acquiring new stuff as you go through the process.
SHARING
Make a list of valuables like photographs, family heirlooms, jewellery, sentimental items and assets. Ask family members if there are certain items that they would like to have and note who you want to give things to. Invite the family over to go through items and photographs. If they have special meaning, share the meaning, and share your stories.
WHERE TO START
Start somewhere easy, where there’s not a lot of sentimentality, like sock drawers and linen cabinets.
Work in one or two-hour time periods so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Think about finishing one room at a time, before moving to another.
If you’re having difficulty knowing what to keep, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I really need this?
- Does this have real meaning or value for me?
- How often do I really use this?
If you don’t need it and it has no meaning or value, and if you haven’t used it in over a year, let it go. Let go of books you intended to read, but never got to.
DOING THE PAPERWORK
Sifting through paperwork is difficult: tackle one box at a time. Shred old cheques and banking information.
Start a box or file for important papers that you must keep including deeds, wills, durable powers of attorney, medical records, military records, diplomas and degrees, birth certificates, passports, etc.
Important papers can be kept in a safe or safe-deposit box. Let your closest family members know where to find these papers.
WHERE DOES ALL THIS STUFF GO
Sort stuff as you go through it. This will make it easier when you’re ready to have it leave the house. There are a lot of places you can send things.
- Some stuff will go to family or friends.
- Old medications go to a pharmacy.
- You can sell items at auctions, estate sales, yard sales or online.
- You can donate to charity.
- You can recycle.
- The remainder can go in the garbage.
Downsizing allows you to see the beautiful life you’ve built. You’ve moved through many stages of life and you’ve survived 100% of what life has thrown at you. Downsizing will be no different. There may be some ups and downs, but you will survive. And, you’ll free yourself of things that are holding you back from enjoying life now. With a good plan and the right mindset, downsizing your clutter will uplift your spirit.
This part of your life is as important as any other part of your journey. Your new home will be as important a place as the other places you’ve lived.
Your suite may be smaller than the home you’re moving from. But, the whole building, with all of its common areas and amenities, will be your new house. You’ve actually upsized!
GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE
It can be hard to decide what to bring with you.
Think about bringing:
- Things you are proud of like family pictures.
- Favourite items, like your favourite mug or blanket.
- Things that you may want to speak about with your new friends, like items from your travels.
WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE AT A RETIREMENT RESIDENCE
Remember, you are totally independent. You can come and go from your retirement residence as you wish.
You can do as much or as little as you want to. You can be as social as you want or have as much alone time as you want. How busy you are will be up to you. You get to make your routine what you want it to be, and, you’re going to have lots of opportunities for new experiences.
GETTING SETTLED
Usually, the first day or so is spent with family and friends who are helping you to move in and get set up. Set up your room the way you want it. Make it your space.
With the move and getting accustomed to a new environment, the first week can be a little tiring. But you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll become comfortable.
It’s a great idea to walk around the residence and familiarize yourself with all of the amenities and where they are located.
THE PEOPLE THAT YOU’LL MEET
As you move in, you will spend time with each of our managers, who will want to know about your dietary, medical and social needs. Make sure to tell them all of your needs so that they can accomplish their goal of making sure you’re doing well.
Some of the first people that you’ll get to know will be your table mates. This will be one to three other people who will tell you all about the goings on and the fun things to do at the residence.
Many staff and residents will approach you to introduce themselves and say hello.
If you know someone in the residence already, buddy up with them. It’s always fun to have someone to chum around with.
ACTIVITIES
You can do as much or as little as you want, but we encourage you not to stay isolated in your room. Even just being in the activity areas or lobby can help you get comfortable with your new neighbours.
If you’re feeling shy about attending events and activities, ask a friend or family member to come to the first few with you so that you feel a little more comfortable. Family is always welcome to visit, participate in activities, and spend time with you in common areas. You can even book a reservation for them in the dining room.
Pub nights are especially fun. And, there are usually a few good card games in the evenings.
Make sure to tell our activity coordinator about your hobbies, so that she can recommend a few activities and maybe even add a few new ones to suit your needs.
Read the activity calendar and listen to the announcements – you’re sure to find some activities that you’ll enjoy. Try out different activities – there might be something, that you had never thought to try before, which could become your new favourite thing.
Find out what clubs and committees exist at the residence. There may be one that interests you. If there’s something that interests you, and there is no club, you can work with your activity coordinator to create a new club.
Once you attend a few activities you’ll start to feel yourself fitting right in with your new friends.
GETTING INFORMED
If you’re curious about how things run at the residence, and why, it’s a good idea to attend the resident council meetings. This gives you a voice in what things happen and lets you know what’s coming up.
If you want to find out what has gone on in the residence before you moved in, you can read the minutes of previous resident council meetings.
WHAT THE STAFF WANTS YOU TO KNOW
We believe that the time of your life is right now. This part of your life will have its challenges, like every other part of your life, but there are a lot of good times to be had. This part of your life is important.
We will do our best to help you to enjoy yourself. Be open to new experiences and don’t tire yourself out before you get here!