FIRST STEP

Completing Preparations

Care Home Preparations

Name: Altınçatı Huzurevi
Price range: $$

Completing Preparations

You’ve done your research, visited the centers on your list, and decided which one is right for you/your parent. Now it’s time to take action… It is possible to make this transition to a new life journey easier for you and the rest of your family.

Moving to a new place is much more than packing your belongings and transporting them from one place to another… Moving is usually an emotional process. If you know that this transition can be bittersweet, you can better prepare for this new chapter of life.

Say farewell to your home with a beautiful celebration

A home is much more than a building with walls and a roof. Saying goodbye to a home filled with memories can be difficult. Even though you know that wherever you live, the memories you’ve accumulated will come with you, take time to celebrate everything your current home has given you before you leave. Perhaps you’d like to take a photo of your home to remember.

Use the time saying goodbye to your home to remember the years you spent there. Then think about the new experience ahead and the beautiful memories you will accumulate in your new home, which will be full of new people to share them with.

Don’t suppress your emotions

When you’re about to experience a life-changing transition, you may have some mixed feelings. For most people, this is a normal part of the moving process. Remember that some of these sad or negative feelings may stem from unfounded fears.

The truth is, many elderly individuals enjoy living in a community more than living alone and feel happy about their decision to move. If you feel sad and helpless, make a list of the positives this transition will bring: No more household chores, new friends, an active social life, no uncertainty about the future…

Focusing on what you will gain rather than what you think you will lose is the best way to remind yourself that you are in control of your emotions.

Moving Tips

Visit the place where you will be staying several times before moving day, so you can better understand how much space you actually have. Take a measuring tape so you can determine whether that beloved armchair of yours will actually fit in your new space, if possible.

When it’s time to start downsizing, go through one room of the house at a time. Start with the least emotional areas and work your way toward the more sentimental pieces. By the time you start making decisions about things like an extra knife set and a dusty old bicycle, you’ll be more prepared to deal with things like clothing and picture frames.

Sort items into boxes labeled “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “discard.” Before you start sorting through the house, make sure the boxes are taped, labeled, and ready to go. You can also prepare a separate box for items you want to give to your loved ones as keepsakes.

Take photos of things you love but won’t be keeping, so you can reminisce about the old days without having to move the items to your new place.

*Remember that memories are more important than possessions. This doesn’t mean the process will be easy, and parting with beloved items may take time.

What to Expect on Moving Day

Moving day can be challenging. There are several ways to turn moving day from stressful to exciting. It all comes down to planning. The further in advance you can plan, the easier moving day will be.

A great way to reduce stress is to learn what things might happen on moving day. Every elderly living community is different, so they may have their own processes and procedures. Most places will provide you with a detailed description of what moving day will be like, but you can always call to ask specific questions or request further clarification.

The Moving Process

Your move will be coordinated and planned by a team at the Altınçatı Active Living Center. Make sure to arrange your move according to the scheduled time, so all preparations are completed before you arrive.

A representative will welcome you and take you to your apartment. They will likely show you around your new apartment, showing you in detail where everything is.

What you can do for a smooth transition on moving day

Having a positive attitude on moving day is an important factor, but you also need to be prepared when it comes to transporting your belongings from one place to another. Here are a few practical tips to help you feel organized and ready when moving day arrives:

Get plenty of sleep before moving.

You may have a lot on your mind before the move, but do your best to get a good night’s sleep before the big day. You’ll need the energy. Also, being well-rested can improve your mood and help you handle any challenges that may arise throughout the day.

Think about what you wear on moving day.

It may seem like a trivial tip, but pay special attention to the clothes you wear on moving day. It’s important that you’re comfortable and able to move around. Avoid things like dangling jewelry or uncomfortable shoes.

Prepare an “essentials” box for your valuables and necessities.

Depending on the number of boxes you bring to your new home, unpacking everything may take some time. If there are some items you’ll want to use or need right away—such as medication, phone charger, or personal care products—put them in a box labeled “essentials” so you can access them quickly. You can keep this box with you instead of loading it with the rest of your belongings.

Take some time to say goodbye.

After the boxes are loaded and you’re ready to take everything to your new home, don’t forget to take a few minutes to say goodbye to your old home. This small step, even if not necessary, can help you achieve a sense of closure. Then think about the wonderful new memories you will create in your new home.

Show them how much you care, with Altınçatı.

Remember, choosing Care Homes and Living Centers for the health and happiness of our loved ones does not make us bad children! On the contrary, it shows the importance we give to our parents and our desire to improve their lives.

Traditional societies unfortunately fall under the influence of their emotional vulnerabilities when making life decisions. The ways we show our love are also shaped by the influence of these vulnerabilities. We have a belief that not getting professional help with our baby’s care makes us “better parents”; that caring for our mother and father at home with our own means makes us “devoted children.” However, all these processes that require serious knowledge and effort do nothing more than make the situation harder for each family member. Because no one can be a good doctor, nurse, cook, psychologist, cleaner, guide, and child all at the same time. Altınçatı, with its team of experts in their respective fields, offers much more than love; the care, respect, healthcare, and social environment that your parents need. Every member of the Altınçatı family exists to show the love you have for your mother and father and the value you place on them.