Where to Begin

What to Expect on Moving Day

Moving day can be challenging, but guess what? There are several ways to make moving day more exciting than stressful. It all comes down to planning. The more you can do in advance, the easier the actual day will be.

One big way to ease stress is to learn about what you might expect to happen on moving day. Every senior living community is different, so they may have their own process and procedures. Most places will give you a detailed run-down of what moving day will be like, but you can always call to ask specific questions or get more clarification if you need it.

The Community Move-In Process

Your move will be coordinated and scheduled by a team at the community. You'll likely receive a timeframe to arrive in, which is an important piece of information to pass along to your moving team. Make sure you coordinate your move to fall within the designated time so you don’t have to wait for your apartment to be ready!

You will be greeted by a representative who will show you to your apartment. They will most likely take you to your new apartment and show you around so you know where everything is located.

The Community Move-In Process

You will be greeted by a representative who will show you to your apartment. They will most likely take you to your new apartment and show you around so you know where everything is located.

We'll Help You Get Settled In

Our goal is to help you feel at ease on moving day, and to help you get acclimated to your new home as quickly as possible. You will receive apartment keys and any wearable technology you need. Make sure to keep these in a safe place during the hustle and bustle of moving day!

You can also put in work requests to have maintenance help you get set up in your home. If you’ve never been handy with a hammer and nails, or you would just rather someone else handle the hassle, you can ask the community’s maintenance team to hang up decor like picture frames and artwork.

We'll Help You Get Settled In

Unpack Your Belongings

This is where the fun really begins. Even if you don’t unpack everything at once, make a point to add your personal touch on the first day. Set out pictures of your grandchildren or drape your favorite quilt over the bed. The sooner you add these treasured items to your space, the sooner it will feel like home.

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it can help to have a to-do list that outlines what you will tackle over the next few days. Perhaps the first day you'll focus on arranging furniture and setting up the bedroom. Then the next day you'll tackle minor touches like setting out mementos and shopping for food. However you choose to tackle the moving process, it's better not to stress about trying to get it done all at once.

Unpack Your Belongings

What you can do to make the moving day go smoothly.

Keeping a positive attitude on moving day is an important piece of the puzzle, but you also have to be prepared to actually move your possessions from one place to another. Here are a few practical tips to keep you feeling organized and ready when moving day rolls around.

Get plenty of sleep the night before.
There will probably be a lot on your mind the night before you move, but do your best to get a good night’s sleep before the big day. You’re going to need your energy. Plus being well-rested can improve your mood and help you handle any challenges that may arise throughout the day.

Be mindful of what you wear during moving day.
It may sound like an insignificant tip, but pay special attention to what you wear on moving day. You want to be comfortable and able to move around, but you don’t want to wear something that could get messed up in the moving process. Avoid things like dangling jewelry or uncomfortable shoes.

Prepare an essentials box with valuables and necessities.
Depending on how many boxes you’re bringing to your new home, it may take some time to unpack all your possessions. If there are certain items you know you’re going to want or need right away—like medication, phone charger or toiletries—put them in a box labeled “essentials” so you can quickly access them. You can even keep this box with you rather than loading it up with the rest of your things.

Take a moment to say goodbye.
Once the boxes are loaded up and the truck is ready to take everything to the new apartment, make sure to take a few moments to say goodbye to your home. This little step can help you find closure, even if you feel like you don’t need it. Then, think about all the wonderful new memories you’re going to be able to make in your next home sweet home.

For Caregivers: How to Help Your Loved One on Move-In Day

Get as much of the new apartment ready before moving day as possible.
Moving day can be less stressful for everyone if you’re able to access the senior living apartment before the official move-in day. Because policies vary from community to community, this may not always be possible.
Keep in mind that moving can be stressful.
Even if you do everything you can to make moving day as smooth and seamless as possible, your family member will probably be feeling a whirlwind of emotions. After all, moving out of their home and into a new place is a big life change. Be prepared that they may be more emotional than usual, and do your best to give them extra grace and patience throughout the day.
Encourage them to eat amidst all the excitement.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the big move that we forget to stop and eat. You might feel okay if you skip a meal, but your parent needs to keep their energy up. Make sure they have a chance to not just eat, but actually sit down for a meal on move-in day. It may require pressing pause on unloading or unpacking boxes, but this is an important step you don’t want to skip.
Help them unpack boxes and set up their apartment.
Imagine moving into a brand new place and not knowing where any of your possessions are. It would feel overwhelming, wouldn’t it? One of the best things you can do for your loved one is help them unpack their boxes and set up their new home. Just make sure you let them decide where things should go. It’s their space, after all!
Stay for their first meal at the new community.
Eating in the common area for the first time can be intimidating for new residents. Clear your schedule on moving day so you have time to join your family member in the dining room for their first lunch or dinner in the community. Having a friendly and familiar face at the table is a good way to help ease their nerves.

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