Once you have made the decision to move yourself or a loved one into a retirement community, you likely want to conduct the move as promptly and efficiently as possible while still handling the process in a thoughtful and deliberate way.
To get ready for this significant life change and all it entails, it is beneficial to have an understanding of the inquiry and move-in process for Village Green Retirement campus. Here is a breakdown of the steps to take in the following months to get yourself comfortably situated in an assisted living or independent living community.
1. Visit the Community in Person
Choosing your new home is an important decision, as it impacts every facet of your life. You can do plenty of research online or have phone conversations with the staff of a Federal Way retirement community, but nothing adequately substitutes the experience of visiting the establishment in person. This gives you a chance to get a sense of the atmosphere and culture fostered within the community.
You can tour the retirement campus, including communal spaces, dining facilities, and housing areas. After experiencing the campus, you may realize it is not what you expected or doesn't fit what you are looking for. However, we have found that most people who visit Village Green find themselves immediately at ease and feel confident that they have found a great new place to call home. Either way you are on track and making significant progress toward a solid retirement living plan.
2. Meet with the Community Director
It is always a good idea to call and set up a scheduled visit to the community and a meeting with the community director. During this meeting, you can ask questions to nail down specifics in terms of costs, dining options, services, and amenities.
Depending on whether you are seeking assisted living or independent living – both of which are offered at Village Green – you can inquire about the levels of care available and whether it will satisfy your needs.
During the meeting, you can also learn about Village Green’s floor plans for senior housing, including its cottages and apartments, and even take a tour of available units.
3. Put Down a Deposit
If you decide after your tour and meeting that Village Green is a good fit, then the next step is to put down a deposit to reserve your desired apartment or cottage. Placing a deposit on a unit gives you the peace of mind that it is set aside for you and is now officially off the market for a specified amount of time. This deposit is refundable before move-in. Now that you have chosen your new home, it is time to start preparing for the move!
4. Undergo an ADL Assessment
If you are in need of assisted living, the state of Washington requires an in-person assessment by Village Green’s director of nursing to determine your or your loved one’s care needs. This is not an actual test, so to speak, but rather a meeting with the nursing director and the potential resident to gather more information about an individual’s care needs. The assessment also allows the potential resident, family and nursing director to become comfortable with one another and make sure the community is a good fit for both. The assessment is merely aimed at giving the retirement community a better understanding of your physical and cognitive health so they can determine the appropriate type of care for you as an individual.
To help with the assessment, the community will ask for your medical history from your primary care physician. By signing a release of medical information document, the community can obtain those documents directly from the primary care physician with your consent.
Keep in mind the assessment is not a one-way street. While you are being assessed, it is also an opportunity for you to ask questions to gain information about how the facility will execute your individualized care plan.
5. Get Packed and Move in
Once you have been approved at Village Green, it’s time to pack your belongings and prepare for relocating. This can be a challenging, time-consuming and even emotional process, especially if you are leaving a home you lived in for several years or even decades. Consider asking a friend or family member to help you sort through keepsakes and prepare to downsize. It can also be helpful and comforting to have a loved one by your side during the move, even if you’re using professional moving services for the actual physical labor.
Joining the Village Green Community
The process of selecting a retirement community and getting moved in varies from person to person. During this time, it’s important to be proactive, chip away at preparations, and stay positive, as there are many things to look forward to when you relocate to Village Green, including a comfortable home, attentive support and care, and access to a plethora of social opportunities.
Related: A Day in the Life of Federal Way Independent Living
Sources
“How Long Do Families Take To Find Senior Living?” A Place for Mom blog. Accessed online at https://www.aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/move-in-timing
“Disclosure of Fees and Notice Requirements – Deposits.” Washington State Legislature website. Accessed online at https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.129.150
“The Needs Assessment - What it is And Why it is So Important to Assisted Living Residents.” SeniorAdvice.com. Accessed online at https://www.senioradvice.com/articles/the-needs-assessment-what-it-is-and-why-it-is-so-important-to-assisted-living-residents
