How to help your parents embrace retirement village life

The transition to retirement village life can be filled with both excitement and apprehension. Retirement villages offer a wonderful opportunity for over 55s to enjoy a vibrant, socially active, and maintenance-free lifestyle. Understandably, the process of moving and adapting to a new environment can be daunting.

Let’s explore some of the ways you can help your parents transition to retirement village life smoothly and happily.

Look for signs

Oftentimes, the children of retirees notice a need for change in their parent’s living situation before they do. There are usually some tell-tale signs that indicate someone could be ready to downsize their home or move to a retirement village. These signs can include:

• They’re struggling to maintain their home and garden
• Certain elements of the home (such as stairs) have become hazardous
• They feel concerned about the safety and security of their home
• They have feelings of loneliness and crave social connections and a sense of community
• They want to get involved in social and community groups, but don’t know where to start

Initiate open and honest conversations

It’s better to start the conversation about retirement living early, rather than being pushed into the process as a result of an accident or crisis.

Start by initiating a dialogue where your parents can express their hopes, fears, and expectations. The most important thing you can do during this conversation is to listen with empathy and understanding.

Help them research and shortlist retirement villages

With an understanding of their expectations, desires and needs, you can help your parents find the retirement villages that tick the right boxes with some phone calls and online searches. During this process you can write up a ‘pros and cons’ list for each village, and develop a short-list of favourites.

Visit retirement villages together

Visiting your short-list of retirement villages is essential for making an informed choice. Accompany your parents on these visits to assess the facilities, the community atmosphere, and the living spaces. Interacting with current residents can help your parents get a sense of what life in the retirement village is really like.

Downsizing and decluttering

Moving to a retirement village often requires downsizing. You can assist your parents throughout the process by helping them declutter their home and belongings; deciding what to keep, donate, or sell. This process can be emotional, so patience is crucial. If you’d like to enlist extra support, you can engage professional decluttering, packing, and moving services, like Classic Moves.

Help make their new place feel like home

The notion of ‘home’ is as much a feeling as it is a place. By helping your parents personalise their new spaces by bringing familiar furniture, artwork, and cherished possessions, you can make the transition smoother.

Building a social support system

One of the key attractions of retirement villages is the built-in social network. To help your parents settle in, encourage them to socialise with their new neighbours and participate in community events, clubs, and activities. Feeling connected and engaged can greatly enhance their sense of comfort and confidence.

Regular check-Ins

Staying connected and involved in your parents' lives can greatly help them to feel supported and settled. Make regular visits and engage in open conversations about their experiences and feelings to help them adapt to their new surroundings.

Stay informed

Lastly, educate yourself about the retirement village and the services available to your parents. This knowledge can help you advocate for them effectively and ensure they are receiving the best support.

Helping your parents transition to retirement village life is a significant responsibility, but it's also an opportunity to show your love and support. By initiating open conversations, assisting with the logistics of moving, and offering a supportive presence, you can ensure that this transition is positive and enriching.

At Applewood, we’re passionate about ensuring our residents experience a smooth, stress-free transition into village life. If you’d like to explore what’s on offer at Applewood, call 03 8848 1111 to book a tour of our beautiful village.