Moving from a long-term home into an independent living community can be an emotional time. It’s difficult to leave behind a place with so many memories.

But sometimes, it’s a smart move. Maybe you’re too far away from your kids and grandkids. Maybe you’re tired of doing yardwork. Maybe your home isn’t safe in case of a medical emergency. Maybe you just need some new faces in your daily routine.

Whatever the case is, here are a few ways to make your new home feel like home.

Make Independent Living Feel Like Home

Pick a pretty living space.

If it doesn’t match your aesthetic, move on! You’ll never feel at home if you hate the decor. Also be sure to take a walk around the campus—you’ll want the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors as the seasons change.

Make it feel familiar.

Though you won’t be able to bring all of your current belongings, you should pick out a few of your favorite items to move with you. If you have a favorite recliner or painting, bring it along!

Pro tip: Keep in mind that this should only be used for things that you use very regularly. You don’t want to fill up your new home with useless furniture, or else you won’t have anywhere to put more sentimental and useful things. If you don’t use it daily, consider leaving it behind.

Note that this method is not a hard-and-fast rule. If you don’t use something daily but its sentimental value trumps the footstool that you do use regularly, dump the footstool and bring the sentimental things. You’ll be glad that you did.

Personalize, personalize, personalize.

Be sure to bring your personal touch to your new living space. It’s your new home, and you should stamp your brand on it. Try to find something for each of the five senses to remind you of your former home.

• Bring photos of your friends and family for sight
• Spritz some of your perfume or bring a favorite air freshener for smell
• Play some of your favorite CDs or records for hearing
• Bake your favorite treats for taste
• Use favorite blankets for touch

Choosing the right place to live and bringing items from one home to the next will put you on the fast track to feeling comfortable in your new independent living space. Before you know it, you will be feeling quite at home in your new abode.

At Eskaton, we strive to make you feel at home. We encourage you to tour our villages and lodges to find the one that feels most like home for you. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact an Eskaton community today.