Moving is stressful. It’s one of the few times in life when you have to stop what you’re doing, pack up all your belongings, and relocate to a new home. It can be even more stressful if you are elderly and moving into a retirement community in Montgomery County, TX, that’s drastically different from where you currently live. The changes in the environment, lifestyle, and even personal relationships can cause feelings of loneliness and depression, leading to further stressors like anxiety attacks or even worse health issues. Fortunately for aging family members who are affected by relocation syndrome, there are solutions available that can help prevent or minimize symptoms before they become bigger problems down the road:
Relocation Syndrome Defined
Relocation syndrome is a condition that occurs when people move to a new environment. It can be caused by moving to a new home or an entirely new city. When golden-age adults relocate to retirement communities, they deal with more than just the physical change of moving their belongings. They are also adjusting to the social and cultural differences of adjusting to a community where they will spend most of their time.
Relocation syndrome has been named “the new home blues” because it causes people to feel sad, depressed, and anxious about their new surroundings.
What Causes Relocation Syndrome?
Relocation syndrome is a normal response to change. It’s a reaction to the loss of independence, social support, and friends and family that seniors have experienced when moving into a retirement community. That said, you should be able to identify this syndrome if you know its symptoms.
If you move into an assisted living or memory care home, it will be hard for you to adjust at first because there will be many changes in your life: new people around you; different types of food; different games and activities; fewer hours with your family members because they are working more than ever before; less privacy than before in both public and private spaces… All these changes can trigger feelings such as anger or sadness that lead us down negative pathways like depression (or “the blues”).
Relocation Symptoms
Relocation syndrome symptoms include anxiety, depression, irritability, and social withdrawal. These are all common reactions to moving from one place to another.
Relocation Solutions
Creating a plan, having a support system in place, and preparing for budgeting will all help you avoid the emotional aspects of moving. When creating your relocation plan, it’s important to set goals and make sure they’re attainable. If you want to get more exercise and eat healthy foods, focus on making small changes rather than trying to overhaul your lifestyle overnight. You’ll be much more successful if you gradually implement these changes.
It may also help if you have someone else involved with your move who can advise when things don’t go as planned or when emotions run high—whether it be family members or friends who live in the area where you’re moving into (or close by). It’s also not uncommon for golden-age adults living in retirement communities to befriend other residents who share similar interests and hobbies—which can provide great support during stressful times like this!
Lastly but most importantly: Have fun with this process!
Conclusion
Moving to a retirement community is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re a senior looking at moving into assisted living, take your time and do your research. You can also try not thinking about it for a while if you feel overwhelmed with anxiety over the idea of leaving home and family behind for good. And remember that there are plenty of solutions so you don’t suffer from relocation syndrome when making this move!
