Winters in the Northeast can be brutal — frigid temperatures, unpredictable weather, icy walkways, and long stretches spent indoors. You might feel tempted to wait until spring to help your parent transition to assisted living, thinking it will give them “one more holiday season at home.” But one more winter at home can also mean another season of worrying about slips on ice, driving on snowy roads, or your loved one feeling isolated and stuck indoors. If you’ve already been talking about assisted living, encouraging the move before winter can provide comfort, safety, and peace of mind for everyone.
“Moving before wintertime is being proactive,” says Emily Quinn, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Owner.
“As a family-owned organization, our guiding belief is simple: Let our family take care of yours. When families choose to move before a crisis happens, it allows their loved one to settle in with confidence and begin building meaningful connections sooner.”
Adds Executive Director Lindsay Redin: “When folks are ‘reactive’ in choosing an assisted living, such as after a fall, they are usually a bit more limited in what they can participate in, and it makes becoming established in the community a bit harder.”
Before winter hazards or loneliness escalate, consider the advantages of assisted living during the colder months — especially within a community grounded in warmth, familiarity, and personalized support.
Safety
If your parent stays at home this winter, it’s likely that they’ll have to deal with snowy driveways, icy sidewalks, and hazardous road conditions.
“I worked with a family whose father was in his mid-90s and experiencing congestive heart failure,” Quinn says. “He believed he was still in great shape and wanted to continue doing the yard work, driving, and working in his garage. After a nor’easter dropped about 5 inches of snow, he climbed a ladder to shovel the snow off the roof.”
Fortunately, his family came by, helped him safely get down, and took over the shoveling, but they knew it could have been a whole lot worse. From slipping on ice to catching hypothermia while shoveling to skipping doctor appointments or trips to the grocery store, winter hazards abound. When you help a parent get settled into an assisted living community before winter, you can ensure they won’t have to worry about clearing snow from their driveway, sidewalks, or roofs. They won’t have to worry about getting to the grocery store or the doctor’s office, either. Assisted living residents enjoy delicious, healthy meals in a beautiful restaurant-style dining room on a daily basis, so they don’t need to rush to the grocery store before the next storm hits. Assisted living communities also provide transportation, so your parent doesn’t need to worry about driving to off-campus appointments.
“Being part of a community allows for most daily needs to be met under one roof,” Quinn says — and that peace of mind is priceless.
Health & Wellness
Most people who get sick with the flu will have mild symptoms: sore throat, cough, and a runny nose. But seniors are more likely to experience complications that can result in hospitalization— and sometimes death. In assisted living, staff members ensure residents stay up-to-date on their medicine and vaccinations, which helps keep them in the best health possible. And although moving to assisted living might not prevent your loved one from getting the flu, there are experienced health professionals on hand 24/7 to monitor their health and treat any illness that may flare up. Another reason to consider moving to assisted living before winter hits is that communities offer fitness and wellness programs to ensure residents stay active despite the short, dark days. Perhaps your dad loves to golf, but once October rolls around, he spends most of his days watching TV. Or maybe your mom loves taking walks outside but the icy sidewalks keep her indoors. In assisted living, your parent can stay healthy and active all winter long thanks to on-site fitness offerings, including exercise rooms, walking paths, and yoga classes.
Staying healthy is easier when the support is already there.
Engagement & Social Connection
Winter often limits mobility — and with it, social interaction. Many seniors end up spending more time alone, which can lead to loneliness or seasonal depression.
“Wintertime makes socialization less convenient and leaves the seniors isolated at home, without easy access to doctor’s appointments, meals, friends, and more,” says Quinn Says. “They’re not socializing, so they can become isolated, which can cause them to have depression.”
Assisted living residents gain access to a strong social environment and support network. Residents often gather for conversation and programs in the lively community areas — pubs, living rooms, libraries, beauty salons, private dining rooms, and sunrooms — and enjoy the companionship of neighbors, friends, and family. Social events are encouraged, and community life usually means that seniors are more active than they were living alone. There are opportunities to socialize during activities, small groups like book club, writing class or knitting, or chatting during meals. Moving to an assisted living community immediately empowers your loved one to stay busy and engaged and helps them fight the boredom and depression that can be a byproduct of winter. It’s not easy to know when it’s time to make the move to assisted living, but if your loved one is already struggling to keep up with housework and spending day after day at home alone, moving to an assisted living community might keep them safe, healthy, and engaged this winter.
This welcoming environment is what we call Discover the Difference — it’s the difference that comes from being family-owned, relationship-driven, and truly resident-centered.
What Makes The Arbors and The Ivy Stand Out
There are many assisted living communities — but not all are built the same.
What makes us different is the way we care:
- We are family-owned and operated, not corporate
- Decisions are made based on people, not profit
- Every resident is known by name, story, and personality
- Support is personal, not standardized
This is the heart of Discover the Difference — and why families tell us that moving before winter was one of the best decisions they made.
Is This Winter the Right Time to Move?
If your loved one is:
- Spending most days at home alone
- Struggling with household tasks
- Worried about falls or winter hazards
- Less socially engaged or active
- Or simply ready for more connection and support
Then moving before winter may help them stay safe, healthy, and connected.