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Congratulations! You’ve just made a monumental decision to simplify your life. You’ve decided it’s time to move into a senior living community. Not only that, but you have researched and toured senior apartments, and chosen which one is best for you. Take a deep breath and have a cup of tea. You’ve got some more work to do before you get there. Downsizing will be a big part of it, but you can do this!

Choosing the right place and time to move into a senior living community requires forethought and planning. With decades of experience helping seniors thrive in their retirement years, Julie Raymond Chalk, MSSA, LMSW, emphasizes that having a plan and knowing what you want provides more options and is worthwhile, even before a person wants or needs to move from their own home.

After decades of working with seniors, Julie Raymond Chalk, MSSA, LMSW knows that most people want to stay in the home they’ve lived in for years and to which they attach many memories. “Ninety-nine percent of older adults want to stay in their home forever,” Chalk says. “The problem is, there are quite a few dangers in this, with isolation and safety being the primary ones.”

Caregiver burnout is a reality even in the best of situations. Needing a break from meeting the needs of your loved one doesn’t mean you love them less, are being selfish, or are inadequate to provide for them. It just means you are human. Recognizing your limitations is important when providing long-term care.

Moving to a new home can be a demanding undertaking. Uprooting your life and relocating your belongings takes a lot of forethought and planning. This can be especially true of a move to an assisted living community. If you or your aging loved one are considering or have decided to make this transition, it is important to develop a game plan prior to moving day.

The right senior living community can be a blessing to you or your loved one. It can provide a beautiful setting in which to enjoy one's retirement while offering the appropriate level of care or support. However, the levels of quality, competence, and expertise between communities can vary. A campus tour is an essential part of the assessment process.

The concept of mentorship has been a part of human history for nearly perhaps as long as humanity itself has existed. Not only are wisdom, trades and skills passed on through the guidance of mentorship, but also invaluable elements like faith, tolerance and empathy. The mentee indeed has much to gain from the mentor, but one must also keep in mind that it is a mutually beneficial relationship.

For many, the idea of moving into a senior living community can be a difficult one with which to reckon. If you have broached the subject with your aging loved one, you may have been met with resistance or even resentment. Conversely, if your adult children proposed a senior living option like assisted living for you, you likely experienced similar feelings.

Staying healthy is an important part of living a long and prosperous life. All too often, however, people simply associate this with their physical health. This is indeed an important part of longevity and happiness, but it is not the only piece of the puzzle.