Summer Moves to Assisted Living: A Guide for Older Adults and Loved Ones

Why Summer Is an Ideal Time to Move to Assisted Living

The timing is important when it comes to moving into an assisted living community under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella. Scheduling your move during the summer offers many benefits, including:

• Warmer weather. The summer months bring warmer weather and no risk of snow or ice, which provides optimal moving conditions. You can sort through your garage comfortably without freezing and hold a garage sale to help you downsize.
• Longer days. You get more daytime hours during the summer, which helps when you’re packing and moving. It’s easier and safer to pack and move during daytime hours.
• Ideal time for selling a home. If you’re selling your home before moving to assisted living, you’ll have a prime real estate market in the spring and early summer. That means you might be able to sell your home faster or receive higher offers, which makes the financial planning for moving to assisted living easier.
• Maintenance-free living during the mowing season. Moving out of your home at the beginning of summer allows you to skip most of the yard maintenance that comes with property ownership. Assisted living residents enjoy maintenance-free living, so you can avoid weekly mowing sessions and any other yard work.
• Ample activity options. Summer is often a busy time with lots of outdoor activities due to the nice weather. Moving to assisted living during this time means you’ll likely be greeted with many activity options that allow you to meet other residents. It’s also more likely your neighbors will be out and about enjoying the weather, which gives you the chance to introduce yourself.

Potential Challenges for a Summer Move

While summer is a great time to make the transition to assisted living, there are certain factors you should consider. Being aware of these potential issues can help you plan for them to minimize their impact.

• Heat-sensitive items. High temperatures and humidity can affect various items, from electronics with sensitive components to wood furniture that’s susceptible to swelling. As you prepare for the move, you might store these items in a garage, moving pod or moving truck for several days or longer. Without climate control, those areas could allow damage to your belongings.
• Heat-related health concerns. Packing, loading and unloading moving vehicles in extreme heat may put your health at risk. Hiring movers helps you avoid this, but you may still find yourself becoming dehydrated or overheated as you prepare for your move. Drink plenty of water and stay in cool areas as much as possible.
• Competition for moving services. Summer is a popular time for moving, which means you’ll have more competition for the best moving companies. Even if you move yourself, you may find limited options for moving trucks. Pricing is also typically higher during times of peak demand.

How to Move In the Summer Successfully

If you plan to move during the summer, schedule it as far in advance as possible. Consult with family members who are going to help you move to work around their vacations and other summer plans.

Securing a moving company early gives you more opportunities to get the date you want. A full-service move is more expensive, but it minimizes the workload for you. Letting professionals do the packing and moving can help you stay out of the heat. If you do the work yourself, dress in cool, breathable clothing and take lots of breaks. Staying well-hydrated is also important.

If you need to rent a storage unit for some of your belongings, look for climate-controlled facilities. Having stable temperatures helps protect items from being damaged by high heat and humidity.

Tips for Transitioning to Assisted Living in the Summer

Jumping right into the activities at your new assisted living community can make the transition easier. You can stay busy with the wide range of activities and amenities the community offers, which can ease any anxiety about the move. Participating also helps you meet people within the community and start to build meaningful friendships.

Many of the assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella feature walking trails and beautifully landscaped grounds where you can enjoy the warm summer weather and bump into fellow residents. Some communities have options such as resident-tended gardens, which are at their peak in the summer months. When the temperature is too high, you can stay indoors and socialize in the library and common areas. Mealtimes also offer ideal opportunities to meet new people and start to feel at home in your new community.