Belmont Village Quarterly Newsletter
on Senior Living

Moving a Lifetime

Making the decision to move from the family home to a senior living community is a big step. While the result is positive and gives the elder family member better access to needed support services, social opportunities and activities, it is a move unlike any other. Made amid changing needs and shifting family dynamics, the transition can evoke a range of mixed emotions for all concerned.

At Belmont Village, we want our residents to feel comfortable in their new community right away, and we’re dedicated to making the move to their new home as easy and seamless as possible. Our Resident Welcoming Committees encourage existing residents to meet newcomers and show them around—they share a meal in Josephine’s Kitchen, explain the activity calendar, talk about upcoming happenings, and most importantly, introduce them to new friends and neighbors. Staff members check on new residents regularly to make sure they are settling in well and that their questions are answered.

This supportive, welcoming approach goes a long way toward ensuring a successful transition, but many moving challenges occur before our resident arrives. What to bring and what to leave behind can be a particular source of stress, as residents worry that they may not have room for a favorite collection or piece of furniture. According to Los Angeles-area senior relocation specialist Gregory Williams, a seamless transition begins with careful listening.

“I avoid the cookie cutter approach. Each person and circumstance is unique,” says Williams. “I listen to my clients in their existing homes, see what is important to them, evaluate the new space, and work with the family to negotiate what stays, what goes and what we buy new to create that special environment.” Part interior designer, part therapist and part mover, Williams has made it his business to help families handle this move of a lifetime by combining his expertise in gerontology with his talent for design.

“Understanding the history behind a piece and its significance to the person making the move is key to knowing what to
include. When a client shows me a favorite piece that they love and asks if it will fit, I just say ‘it has to,’ and I make it work. I’ve tucked display shelves, bars, and even a baby grand piano into spaces originally intended to be closets—you just have to be willing to think outside of the box.”

Another important point for families to remember when planning a move is that, while a resident’s private apartment is their unique personal space, the entire Belmont Village community is their home to use and enjoy.

Apartments are grouped around inviting parlors that provide extra space for entertaining guests and encourage visiting among neighbors. Our signature Josephine’s Kitchen restaurants are a wonderful place to share a delicious meal with friends and family, and our onsite exercise centers are professionally supervised and fully equipped to help residents stay fit and active. Senior-friendly computers help residents stay connected via their own e-mail accounts and internet access in the Belmont Village Centers for Life Enhancement technology centers.
While any change can be stressful, it also brings fresh opportunities for friendship, support and growth. Careful planning and support can make this the best move of a lifetime.

For more information about Belmont Village and senior living, click here to contact the Belmont Village nearest you.