News & Events
Relocation Stress Syndrome: Four Tips for Planning a Smooth Transition
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There might come a time when moving to a senior living community is the next step in life. If this transition scares you, you’re not alone. Sometimes, these fears and anxieties can cause relocation stress syndrome for older adults. Whether you experience mild or acute worries around this type of change, there are some things you can do to make yourself feel more comfortable in your new home. Let’s explore relocation stress syndrome and four tips to help you through this new chapter.
What is Relocation Stress Syndrome?
Relocation stress syndrome (RSS) in the elderly is the experience of anxiety, hopelessness, and loneliness due to moving, often from private residences to senior living facilities.
Moving at any point in your life is stressful. But, at older ages, relocation can be more difficult when you factor in stressors like medical needs, loss of spouses, friends, or siblings, and the trauma that might come from uprooting yourself from a home you may have lived in for decades. You may be more prone to RSS if you:
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Struggle with anxiety, depression, pain, or PTSD
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Experienced a traumatic event like the death of a loved one or a severe medical diagnosis
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Have dementia
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View moving as a stressful event
Specific signs can indicate RSS. These symptoms typically show during the initial stages of moving, as you settle in, and over time:
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Anger or apprehension
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Anxiety or depression
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Withdrawal
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Confusion
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Loneliness
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Body aches
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Difficulty sleeping
Four Tips for Smoother Transition to Senior Living
If you experience stress and anxiety around moving, that’s perfectly normal. As a senior, it’s good to know about relocation stress syndrome to prepare for an easier transition. Here are our top tips for how you can make the most of relocating:
Advocate for Your Needs
Part of the anxiety around moving might come from giving up the home you’ve lived in for a long time and feeling like things are out of your control. When you move into independent living, write down your needs and ensure they are met. Review your prospective new home and its amenities to see if it has everything you desire and more so you can feel confident about your decision.
Acknowledge Your Fears and Validate Your Feelings
Sometimes you don’t want to admit that you’re scared. One of the most empowering things you can do at a time like this is to acknowledge that feeling emotional is okay. Your sentiments are well-founded whether you’re anxious, sad, confused, or lonely. Self-acknowledgment and validation of these feelings can make you feel more in control of your internal thoughts, which can help ease you into this transition.
Recreate Your Old Home
The unfamiliarity of a new living situation can make anyone feel unsettled. Try to make your new home just like your old one by rearranging the furniture, displaying valuable keepsakes, and sticking to a similar routine. Recreating these consistencies can help you feel more at ease.
Get Involved in Your New Community
One of the best remedies for RSS-related symptoms is surrounding yourself with people. In an independent living community, connecting with new faces is more accessible because everyone lives in the same vicinity. Once you open the door to conversation, this can lead to new adventures, like starting a hobby with your friends or looking forward to regular outings.
Independent Living Made for Smooth Transitions
At The Waterford of Summerlea, our independent senior living community in Edmonton is designed to empower you. We know that moving can be difficult, so that’s why we offer many amenities and services to fulfill your unique needs. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can support you in this new chapter!
6 Spring Decorating Tips for Your Retirement Suite
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Last updated December 2022
The season of spring is a time when the leaves are changing, flowers are blooming and, for your senior loved ones, a sign of new beginnings. With the weather becoming warmer and not a snowflake in sight, it’s possible to enjoy outdoor activities together, plus there are more hours of daylight. With this, spring is also a time for reinvention, such as redecorating a retirement home apartment for Mom, Dad, or even yourself.
Below, we have provided tips on how you and your loved ones can decorate a senior living space for spring.
How Retirement Communities Can Help Seniors Overcome Isolation
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Last Updated December 2022
Seniors who experience isolation understand that it can feel like a crippling state of being. With an ongoing sense of loneliness, the past few years have only heightened the problems that come with this lack of interaction. Retirement communities can often be the answer, as they provide safe spaces that allow residents to maintain their independence while still feeling close to people their age. Many experts agree the right housing situation is important to overcoming senior isolation and improving their quality of life by being integrated into a community.
Moving into Retirement Living During the Winter
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Last updated December 2022
The winter season can feel long and lonely, especially for seniors who are living on their own. Despite the isolation, winter weather can make it challenging and unsafe for them to leave their house to perform daily tasks and engage with others or participate in activities. If you or a senior loved one has been struggling to cope, maybe it’s time for a change. Moving into retirement living during winter could be an ideal solution for your elderly loved one if they have been struggling. Learn more about the benefits of seniors moving in the winter and why it could be the best chance to enrich their lives for every season.
8 Winter Fitness Tips for Seniors
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Last updated December 2022
The winter season is filled with messy and unpredictable weather, which can make it challenging and frustrating for seniors who want to get outside and enjoy a little exercise. But keeping up with health and fitness can easily be done indoors and at any time of the year. If your elderly parent or loved one has been feeling cooped up lately, refer to these tips for senior fitness to help them stay active and engaged.
7 Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility
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Updated on December 2022
Many seniors lose their mobility due to health conditions, but that doesn’t mean they can’t stay active or engaged. There are numerous ways to have fun and get a regular dose of exercise for seniors with limited mobility. Here are some suggestions that will appeal to independent seniors of all different mobility and physical fitness levels.