Personalize Your Assisted Living Apartment

Take some time early on to make your space truly yours. Bring some beloved items with you, such as pictures for the walls, a favorite blanket or mug or a chair that fits you just right.

Find out well ahead of your move what your assisted living apartment comes with and what type of furniture and other items you can bring. Tour the location so you can see your space and imagine how your things and routine might fit well.

Review the Activity Calendar and Commit to One Thing

The many changes that come with moving to assisted living can feel overwhelming, and it may be tempting to avoid some of them. However, making friends and enjoying a vibrant lifestyle is a huge benefit of this living choice, so consider how you might take a small step early to foster connections in your new community.

For example, you could choose one activity to try in your first week. The community activity calendar at Bethesda Gardens in Arlington regularly offers options like:

• Art classes
• Group games and puzzles
• Crafts
• Worship and Bible study
• Group fitness

You can also ask staff about opportunities for getting to know other residents or how you can continue with hobbies, volunteer passions or other lifestyle preferences within your new home.

Build in Plenty of Time for Rest and Reflection

Having time to yourself and resting in your new space can be as important as stepping into the active lifestyle supported by many assisted living communities. With activities to choose from, friends to meet and a new home to explore, it can be easy to commit yourself to exhausting levels.

Set aside time in your first week to simply enjoy your new space. Ideas to build in purposeful rest time include:

• Planning reading or TV time after dinner each evening
• Cultivating a devotional or Bible reading habit in the morning
• Planning a late week "shut down day" where you don't plan to attend activities or do any tasks in your space — instead, do whatever you want, even if that's sleeping a bit more to recover from moving

Invite Loved Ones to Join You for a Meal

Find out what your options are for inviting friends or family to join you for meals in the assisted living community dining room. Having someone with you the first couple of days can make eating in a new place, especially in a group dining room, more familiar.

You might also find ways to remain in communication with others, such as planning web calls or having weekly coffee meetups.

Communicate Your Needs and Preferences

Assisted living staff are there to support you, but they don't always know what you need or want. Make sure to be open and honest about your needs and preferences so they can help you. Starting out with a friendly approach and offering plenty of feedback can set the stage for care that works for you now and in the future.

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