There are many factors to consider when looking for your ideal retirement community. From the concrete financial and healthcare components, to the intangibles like community atmosphere and sense of belonging. At Claridge Court, it’s our goal to get to know you as an individual and provide you with as much information as possible to help you make the choice for long-term care that’s right for you.
Whether you’re just thinking about making the move or are ready to sign your contract here at Claridge Court, we know change is often easier when you have an idea of what to expect. Here’s what it looks like when you make the move to our independent living community.
1. Find your ideal senior living community
If you are still in the exploration phase, the most important thing we suggest is to compare your options. Reach out to the sales team at the top three retirement communities you are considering to set up an in-person or virtual tour. Your tour will allow you a chance to see accommodations and amenities up close and ask your most pressing questions. The most important question of all? Can I see myself here? If the answer is yes, explore the community further, talk with current residents, attend an event and join us for a meal.
Here at Claridge Court, you’ll find our residents love to remain active and engaged, whether through volunteering, golfing with friends, attending a community lecture series or taking in a performance. Our location in charming Prairie Village, Kansas, allows our residents convenient access to some of Kansas City’s biggest attractions, including the Kauffman Performing Arts Center.
Our intimate senior living community fosters a real sense of camaraderie and is something that draws in our residents and team members alike.
“We call ourselves the Claridge Court family,” says Sales Director Newell Bowman. “We live and work at the community together. There are lots of joyful and meaningful moments living our lives in community with one another. Kindness, thoughtfulness, learning and vibrancy abound.”
2. Secure your spot
If the friendship and comfortable elegance of Claridge Court sounds like what you’re looking for, connect with our sales team to narrow down which apartment you prefer.
With your mind made up and your apartment selected, you’ll make a reservation deposit and sign the reservation agreement. Then we’ll begin the three-part health and financial assessment. This process takes a couple of weeks and allows us to ensure your healthcare needs and financial future will both be taken care of. As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), we offer a Type A contract. That means additional skilled nursing and rehab services are offered at our community, so should the time come that you or your spouse require that additional level of care, it is covered by your monthly service fee.
3. Establish a closing date
With the assessments completed and your contract signed, we’ll connect you with our on-site move-in coordinator, who will oversee the renovation and updating of your new apartment to your preferences and keep you updated along the way. It is the priority of our move-in coordinator to ensure your move is as seamless and stress-free as possible. Not only do we want to ensure your move into Claridge Court is a breeze, but we also help ensure moving out of your previous home is just as easy. We are here to answer any questions you might have along the way and to help arrange moving and organization teams.
Closing on your new home at Claridge Court can take up to 90 days, but can even be sooner depending on the level of apartment updates and your desired timeline.
4. Prepare to move
With your closing date in sight, the work of selling your home, downsizing and packing belongings begins. This is perhaps the most arduous part of the entire moving process. One of the most common concerns we hear from our soon-to-be residents is that they are overwhelmed with organizing their belongings and are unsure where to begin. This is where the organization and moving team steps in. We will help you decide what furniture will fit in your new home and where to place it, what items to bring and how to deal with the things you’re donating or selling. The organization and moving team will also help you pack everything up.
Sorting through years of treasured belongings is likely to bring up a wide range of emotions and memories. Go slow, be gentle on yourself and allow yourself to feel whatever comes up. It can also be helpful to have friends or family members over to assist in this process. They might be less attached to items to make it easier to part with or they might enjoy inheriting some of the belongings you are not taking with you. At the very least, they will enjoy hearing the stories and memories that come up through the sorting process.
5. Move into independent living
On moving day, our organization and moving team will help move your belongings into your new apartment at Claridge Court and assist in unpacking as well. We know how exhausting moving can be. That’s why we work to take care of each physical element of the move, while you are doing the emotional heavy lifting of change.
We recommend making sure you have a few everyday essentials on hand for move-in day and your first few days getting settled. Pack a bag with the necessities like chargers, medication, toilet paper, trash bags and towels, so you aren’t digging through boxes or having to run additional errands on move-in day. The same goes for any four-legged companions making the move with you. Keep their favorite toys, bedding, food and bowls easily accessible to help them get acclimated to their new surroundings.
6. Make your home at Claridge Court
After the big moving day, take your time to unpack, relax and get situated. Take a stroll through our campus to decompress or head to happy hour with your new neighbors. As you get more familiar with your apartment and identify spots where you would like prized artwork or family photographs hung, contact our maintenance department to get those items exactly where you want them.
Your move-in coordinator will continue to be a valuable resource well beyond your move-in day. “I love interacting with and getting to know our very active residents,” says Claridge Court Move-In Coordinator Sean Nickell. “It’s such a treat to witness them continuing to take such a bite out of life here at Claridge Court. They inspire me every day.”
Over your first few weeks, many additional team members will stop by to welcome you, learn more about your interests, answer any questions you might have and do our best to help you continue to settle into our kind and active senior living community.
If you have additional questions about the move-in process or are interested in learning more about independent living at Claridge Court, fill out the form below or feel free to call us directly at 913-383-2085.
