Winter is a chilly time of year, but it can be a good time to consider assisted living options for yourself or a senior loved one. Once you select a place where you'd like to move, late winter is also an excellent time to move into your new home.
Assisted living is a great place to be around other seniors and have regular interaction with people you can socialize with, which is why it's a good place to be when the days get cold and you're out and about less often. In fact, there are all kinds of reasons to consider assisted living in late winter.
Here are several you may want to think about.
The first reason you should consider moving in the late winter is that it allows you to meet people in your community and get to know others before the spring and summer, when people may be more active. Winter is a time when many people stay home and within the community, meaning you'll have more opportunities to meet up with others and get to know them in a less busy atmosphere.
Senior living provides companionship with other residents as well as staff members and family who come to visit, so no one has to feel alone.
Another good reason to try to move into assisted living in the late winter is that it means you won't have to think about performing spring or summer maintenance on your current home. Many seniors live in properties with yards containing trees, bushes and other plants that need to be maintained. They may have a home that requires cleaning outside or repairing damage to decks or walkways.
In an assisted living community, there's no need to worry about those kinds of maintenance because the maintenance team takes care of them. Instead of thinking about trying to weed the garden or pick up branches after a spring storm, seniors can relax, knowing the chores are handled and they can do whatever they'd like to do in their free time.
While the winter is a time when many people stay home, the spring, summer and fall are all more active seasons. Moving into assisted living at the end of winter means you can get settled before you start participating in more regular activities again.
Many assisted living programs offer transportation to and from events and activities, which is beneficial for those who no longer want to drive themselves. So, by moving in during the winter, you can get upcoming transportation needs scheduled and be ready to do all the things you love in the spring. Additionally, if you don't want to drive in the winter, having transportation available can be a great help on slick days.
If you're planning to move, there's no better time than when you can plan for specific weather conditions. You and your family can discuss which month of the year has the most stable temperatures above freezing and the least likelihood of rain to find a time to move into your new home. Since moves aren't very common in the winter, the assisted living community may be able to offer multiple move-in dates and be more flexible with you.
Another nice thing about moving in the winter is that fewer people tend to do it. While the spring and summer months are bustling with activity and more people may be trying to move in during warm weather, winter is the opposite. Most people don't want to move in chilly temperatures, making the winter a good choice if you like to move without too much hustle and bustle around.
On top of that, you might be able to save money on your move. Since the majority of moves happen in the summer, local movers may charge less during the winter as it's outside peak moving season.
While many people don't think moving to assisted living in the winter months is a good idea, the reality is that moving in the winter can be affordable and flexible. Living in assisted living in the winter can minimize isolation and encourage socialization, which can improve a senior's quality of life.
If you haven't thought about assisted living yet, take some time to consider it this winter. Then, if you decide you're ready to move, plan your move for late winter or early spring so you can get a jump on the year.
