Let’s be honest for a second: moving is hard work. It really doesn’t matter if you are twenty-five or seventy-five; packing up your entire life and shifting it to a new location is stressful. But when you are making the move to a senior living community, that stress often comes mixed with a heavy dose of emotion that is hard to articulate.
You might be looking at your farmhouse in Odon—the one with the creaky floorboard in the hall and the garden you planted thirty years ago—and wondering if you are making the right choice. You might be worried about missing the quiet rhythm of Daviess County life or concerned that a “facility” won’t feel like home.
We want you to know that this feeling is completely normal. At Parkview Village Christian Care, we have sat at the kitchen table with hundreds of families who felt exactly the same way. The fear of the unknown is real. But we also know something else that is true: the anticipation is almost always worse than the reality.
If you or a loved one are preparing for moving to senior living Odon IN, take a deep breath. We aren’t just a facility; we are your neighbors. This guide is here to help you navigate the bumpiness of the transition so you can get to the good part—the peace of mind that comes next.
Quick Move-In Cheat Sheet for Odon Families
- Pack the “Anchors”: Identify the 5 items that make a room feel like yours (the recliner, the quilt, the photos) and pack them last so they are unpacked first.
- The 72-Hour Rule: Commit to leaving your apartment at least once a day for the first three days, even if just for coffee.
- Talk to the Neighbors: The senior community new residents Odon relies on is built on small-town hospitality. Don’t be afraid to say hello.
- Set Up Tech Early: Get the Wi-Fi and iPad sorted on Day 1 so you don’t feel cut off from the grandkids.
- Ask for Help: If you need something, ask. That is literally why we are here.
Tip 1: Acknowledge the “Messy” Feelings
Society often tells us we should always be positive, but leaving a long-time home is a loss. It is okay to grieve that. You are closing a chapter that was likely filled with Christmas mornings, summer barbeques, and decades of memories.
For many Senior Residents, there is a lingering fear that moving means giving up independence. Actually, we find it usually means the opposite. Think about it: how independent are you really when you are worried about the furnace breaking down in the middle of an Indiana winter or wondering who will mow the lawn when it is ninety degrees out?
When you become one of the new residents Odon welcomes into our community, you trade those heavy worries for freedom. You gain the time to actually do what you want, rather than what the house demands of you.
For families helping a parent move, don’t try to “fix” their sadness immediately. Just listen. Acknowledging that this is a big, emotional step is the best way to start welcoming new residents Odon style—with patience, a listening ear, and a warm cup of coffee.
Tip 2: “Right-Sizing” Instead of Downsizing
“Downsizing” sounds like you are losing something. We prefer the term “right-sizing.” This is your chance to curate your life and keep only the things that bring you joy.
Here is the trick: don’t start with the garage or the attic. That is overwhelming and you will quit before you begin. Start with the things you use every single day.
- Which chair do you sit in to read the paper?
- Which quilt do you pull out when it gets chilly?
- Which photos make you smile every time you walk past them?
These are your “anchors.” Identify them, tag them, and make sure they are the first things unpacked. When you walk into one of our spacious Assisted Living Apartments or our independent Cottage Duplexes and see your chair and your photos, it instantly feels like home. It smells like home.
Before you pack a single box, we highly recommend checking our Floor Plans. Knowing exactly where the dresser will go saves a lot of headaches and backaches on moving day. It also helps you realize that senior living for new residents Odon offers is spacious and comfortable—not cramped.
Tip 3: The “First Week” Strategy
The boxes are in. The movers are gone. The quiet sets in.
The first week is the most critical time for New Residents. The temptation will be to stay in your apartment, unpack slowly, and wait for things to feel normal.
We challenge you to do the opposite. Step out.
You don’t have to become the social butterfly of the campus overnight. Just try one thing. Maybe it is walking down to the common area for breakfast. Maybe it is sitting on the porch to watch the sunset. In Odon, we pride ourselves on small-town hospitality. You will find that the senior community new residents Odon relies on is incredibly warm. People here look out for each other—it is just the Daviess County way.
Check out our schedule of Recreational and Social Activities. Even if you just go to observe the first few times, getting out of your room helps reset your brain from “visitor” mode to “resident” mode. It reminds you that you are part of a vibrant neighborhood.
Tip 4: Lean on the Support (That’s Why We Are Here)
There is a stubborn myth in our generation that needing help makes you weak. We see it differently. Accepting help makes you smart.
If you are struggling with daily tasks—like managing complex medications, keeping up with laundry, or just getting around—it drains your energy. By utilizing our new resident senior care Odon IN services, you conserve that energy for the things you actually enjoy, like visiting with family or working on a hobby.
Our Providing Care team isn’t here to take over your life; we are here to clear the obstacles out of your way. We are a faith-based organization, and we view care as a service to our neighbors.
And if you aren’t quite ready to move in yet, our At Home Care services can bridge that gap, bringing a little bit of Parkview Village help to your current door. This is often a great way to “test drive” the level of support we offer before making the full move to senior living for new residents Odon IN.
Tip 5: Stay Connected Digitally
Moving to a senior community does not mean you are falling off the map. In fact, for modern senior living for new residents, staying online is a lifeline.
Whether it is FaceTiming the grandkids who are away at college, streaming your favorite church service on Sunday morning, or just reading the local news online, connection matters. We have equipped our campus with Secure Fiber WIFI Available on Campus & Other General Housing Services to ensure you never feel out of the loop.
Don’t be shy about asking for help getting your tablet or computer set up. We want you connected. We want you to be able to show off your new place to your friends on Facebook.
A Note for the Adult Children
If you are reading this on behalf of a parent, here is your homework to ensure the process of welcoming new residents Odon is successful:
- Personalize early. Don’t leave the walls bare for two weeks. Get those curtains up. A sterile room feels like a hotel; a decorated room feels like home.
- Visit, but don’t hover. It is a balance. Visit often, but encourage Mom or Dad to go to lunch with their new neighbors without you. They need to build their own circle.
- Talk to us. We are partners in Providing Housing and care. If you notice Mom is down, tell us. We can have a staff member pop in for an extra chat or introduce her to a resident with similar interests.
For those considering senior living for new residents Odon, looking at the specific needs of your loved one is key. Are they looking for a vibrant social scene, or do they prioritize quiet and security? Our New Residents page offers more resources on what to expect during the intake process.
The “New Normal” Takes Time
Psychologists say it takes about three to six months to feel fully settled in a new home. Give yourself grace.
There will be a Tuesday afternoon where you miss your old kitchen window. That is okay. But there will also be a snowy morning where you realize you don’t have to worry about the driveway, and you will sip your coffee with a smile.
Senior living for new residents Odon IN is about finding that balance. It is about trading the burdens of homeownership for the joy of community.
At Parkview Village, we specialize in welcoming new residents Odon style—with open arms, a shared faith, and a genuine desire to serve. We are more than just a place to stay; we are a community of friends.Let’s talk about your next step. Change is big, but you don’t have to do it alone. Contact Us today. Come by for a tour, meet the team, and see why so many Senior Residents are proud to call Parkview Village home.