Why Now is the Right Time to Make the Move to Senior Living

If you have been considering making the move to a senior living community for some time, there is no better time than now to begin acting. There are many benefits of downsizing to a retirement community. Please take a look at the four reasons below to see why it may be the perfect time to make your big move and enjoy all the benefits of senior living today!

You Can Get a Great Price for Your Home in the Current Seller's Market

The real estate market is currently experiencing a strong seller's market, characterized by high demand and low inventory. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median home prices have risen significantly due to this high demand (NAR, 2023). In Porter County, Indiana, specifically, home prices have increased by approximately 10% over the past year, providing an excellent opportunity for homeowners to sell at a premium price. However, market conditions are subject to change, and the current seller's market will inevitably end as inventory increases and buyer demand stabilizes. By selling your home now, you can capitalize on these favorable conditions and maximize your return.

You can consult a senior real estate specialist for advice. In addition, your realtor will make suggestions on how to get your home on the market and get top dollar. One way of doing so is to be sure to have the house tidy, organized, and spruced up. If something needs to be replaced, like broken appliances or wiring upgrades, you can use a home warranty company to save money and have a team of professionals take care of the work. Also, don’t hesitate to ask your family and loved ones to lend a helping hand to get your house market-ready and cheer you on in your big move!

Enjoy a Maintenance-Free Lifestyle

One of the most attractive aspects of transitioning to a retirement community is the maintenance-free lifestyle it offers. At Pines Village, all maintenance tasks, including landscaping, repairs, and upkeep, are handled by our professional staff. This means no more worrying about mowing the lawn, fixing a broken light, or raking leaves. Instead, you can enjoy a carefree lifestyle where your time is truly your own. According to AARP, homeowners typically spend between 1% to 4% of their home's value annually on maintenance and repairs (AARP, 2023). In contrast, senior living communities handle all maintenance tasks, including landscaping, home repairs, and appliance maintenance. This allows residents to enjoy more leisure time and peace of mind without the stress and hassle of home upkeep.

Pines Village and many other communities provide transportation for doctor’s appointments, shopping, and enrichment. Additionally, on-site, restaurant-style dining options are available for your convenience. Should you need additional assistance, Pines Village offers packages and ala carte options for home health care services.

Get Settled in Before the Holidays

If you are debating about whether you should move now or later, think about the advantages of not putting it off. Moving now can help you settle into the comfort of your new community before the holidays and the new year. Coordinating family visits and celebrations during the holidays can be stressful enough. However, by considering a transition to senior living now, you cannot only enjoy the convenience of senior living but great activities too. It will also help you look forward to focusing on your family and holidays rather than having to deal with moving plans next year.

You Can Engage in Countless Activities and Beat the Winter Blues

One of the best perks of retirement communities is the countless activities available. There are plenty of opportunities for fun with fellow residents or in the local community, from games, movie nights, shopping trips, or visits to a local attraction. So you won’t have to worry about feeling lonely this winter or feel like you are itching to do something fun. Plus, there are so many friendly faces and ways to make new friends and connections to the greater community.

Transitioning to senior living may seem like a significant decision, but the benefits are clear. With the current favorable real estate market conditions, the financial and lifestyle advantages of downsizing, and the enriching environment of Pines Village, now is an opportune time to make the move.

If you’re ready to explore senior living options and learn more about what Pines Village Retirement Communities have to offer, contact us today. We're here to answer any questions you may have and schedule a personalized tour at your convenience. Embrace this new chapter of your life with confidence and excitement!

A Guide for Transitioning to Senior Living

If you or a loved one has made the decision to transition to senior living, you’ve already taken an important step in improving safety, simplicity, and overall health in your life. There are several steps to complete before and during this transition, so taking them one at a time and doing your research can considerably reduce the stress of the process. There are plenty of helpful online resources on this subject, but this brief guide to transitioning to senior living can help you get started on understanding the main steps involved.

Downsizing

Whether you currently live in a condo or house, it’s likely that you’ll need to downsize somewhat so that your possessions will fit into your new home. Begin sorting through your belongings as early as possible and allow adequate time to do so. Although this process can be emotionally challenging, it can also be a liberating way to simplify your life. Consider offering items of sentimental value to loved ones. Keep comforting things you use and treasure on a daily basis, such as a favorite chair or teapot. You can find more downsizing tips here.

Selling Your Home

Selling homes was a laborious task before the arrival of the internet, but the process is now more streamlined. Start by researching realtors near you online; schedule interviews with likely matches before choosing one. Your realtor will post photos of your home on multiple real estate websites, reaching more prospective buyers. Important documents can be signed electronically from the comfort of your home. Create a start-to-finish timeline for this process and others, breaking each moving-related project into smaller ones so you can focus on one step at a time. 

Moving

If your loved ones are unable to assist you with moving, consider hiring professional movers from companies that specialize in senior moves. The National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers (NASMM) is the leading membership organization for Move Managers. Be sure to do your own research as well: check the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) score as well as customer reviews on apps like Angi and Yelp. Legitimate movers will have a Department of Transportation (DOT) number, a website, and a physical address listed on the website. They should also be licensed, bonded, and insured, and employees should be background-checked.

Choose the moving company and services that best fit your budget and needs. Ask logistical questions upfront, such as how staff will communicate with you and how the process will work. If you purchase additional insurance, clarify which items are covered and the dollar amount of coverage for each. To minimize the cost and risk of professional packing services, consider packing as many small, breakable, or irreplaceable items yourself as you can.

If possible, ask a loved one to accompany you on moving day to make sure that everything goes smoothly. If you’ll be coordinating the moving day on your own, be sure that movers have an itemized list of your possessions, which should have corresponding numbered stickers. Communicate with the movers as much as possible the day of the move while still allowing them to get to work. Check that they have the correct new address before they begin making trips.

Getting Acclimated

Your first few days and weeks in your new senior living home and community can seem overwhelming at first, but you can take steps to make this process easier and more comfortable. One thing to consider is to ask friends, family, or a move management company to completely set up your apartment so it’s ready to live in the day you move in. This can make things a lot less overwhelming. Know what will help you the most, whether that’s joining communal activities right away or taking time to recover from the move. It can help to put your favorite wall art and other decor out first, have a celebratory meal with family or friends, or have a loved one help you unpack. Then, start exploring community amenities and joining offered activities.

Enjoying The Benefits Of Senior Living

Congratulations! The most difficult aspects of transitioning to senior living are over, and it’s time to start enjoying your new community. Many older adults don’t realize that there are actually many significant benefits to this lifestyle. These include:

• Eliminating difficult or unpleasant chores. Maintenance and other staff will now take care of many strenuous or mundane tasks for you, such as landscaping, building and appliance maintenance, cleaning, cooking, and waste disposal.
  

• New opportunities to socialize. Senior living communities typically offer a variety of regularly scheduled group activities. This provides an opportunity to find out what you and your neighbors may have in common and to make new friends. You may find that you actually feel more socially connected after the move than you did before it.
  

• Increased safety. Spaces and surfaces in senior living campuses are designed with senior needs in mind. Many feature wider hallways, convenient handrails, bathroom modifications, and other details that will make you less likely to get injured. Some communities also offer a range of medical services depending on your needs, from simple alert devices for accidents to assisted living services for basic daily functions. These can provide considerable peace of mind to you and your loved ones.
  

• Transportation services. With this amenity offered by most senior living communities, you won’t have to rely on a loved one for a ride or worry about driving yourself around safely on a daily basis. 
  

• Healthier lifestyle. Having meals prepared for you can make it easier to eat a more nutritious diet, and exercise facilities will help keep you moving if you use them regularly. The activities your community offers will help maintain both physical and mental health and provide plenty of stimulation.
  

If you’re near Valparaiso, Indiana and ready to make the move to a senior living community, consider choosing Pines Village Retirement Communities. At Pines Village, we celebrate life by enriching the lives of older adults. We pride ourselves on our culture, which is driven by a passion for serving the residents, visitors, and staff of Pines Village as well as the greater Valparaiso community. Explore our senior apartment availability, learn more about our assisted living options, or contact us with any questions today!