What the Move-In Process Looks Like at The Forest at Duke
Moving at any stage of life is a huge transition, and moving into a continuing care retirement community, while exciting, can also feel overwhelming. This is especially true if it’s your first time joining a senior living community. Even if you’re enthusiastic about putting down new roots, you may feel the uncertainty of change and the stress of a long to-do list. At The Forest at Duke, we work hard to make you feel supported and stay organized during the move-in process.
For incoming residents, one of the first friendly faces they meet is Lena’ Kithcart, Marketing & Move-in Coordinator. Lena’ works closely with residents throughout their move-in process, from selecting apartment finishes to helping movers navigate campus on move-in day. Lena’ helps make the transition feel seamless and welcoming.
Your Personalized Move-In Experience
The move-in process at The Forest at Duke typically starts about 60 to 120 days before a new resident joins our community. During that time, Lena’ helps incoming residents personalize their new apartment or cottage by selecting their preferred finishes, including paint colors, flooring, and cabinetry. “We really want residents to feel at home before they even arrive,” Lena’ says.
Lena’ also works closely with contractors and the maintenance team to bring each resident’s vision to life. To make planning a little more streamlined, residents receive a detailed floor plan (including the locations of all electrical outlets) so they can decide ahead of time where they will place furniture, lighting, televisions, and other devices.
Preparing for Life on Campus
Beyond helping with the physical move, Lena’ assists residents in getting connected to daily life at The Forest. This means helping residents with the following:
- Registering for dining and meal plans
- Connecting with activities, such as fitness classes and cultural events, through the Community Life department
- Setting up Cubigo, the platform residents use to sign up for classes, events, transportation, and maintenance requests
- Completing necessary paperwork and onboarding steps
Lena’s goal, and the goal of everyone at The Forest, is to help incoming residents feel comfortable and confident before move-in day arrives.
Downsizing: The Biggest Challenge for Many Residents
One of the most common concerns residents face before moving is downsizing. They wonder, Will my furniture fit? Did I pack too much? Will I have enough storage space? These questions are incredibly common for new residents, and Lena’ acknowledges that it can be hard to pare down a lifetime of belongings, especially when many items are sentimental.
To help make downsizing a little easier, Lena’ often shares her three-second rule: When sorting through belongings, give yourself three seconds to decide whether to keep, donate, or discard an item. “It helps people avoid overthinking every single thing,” she explains.
Residents who discover they’ve brought more than they need can also donate items to the Encore Store on campus, where gently used items are offered at affordable prices to residents and team members. Proceeds from our Encore Store benefit The Forest’s Benevolent Fund.
Making Move-In Day As Stress-Free as Possible
As move-in day approaches, Lena’ coordinates the many details of the move, helping new residents navigate what can often feel like an overwhelming process.
About two weeks before their move-in date, residents receive a move-in map showing their movers exactly where to park, which entrance to use, and which elevator and route to take through the building to the new residents’ home. This detailed plan helps the move run smoothly, both for the new residents and for those already living on campus.
On the actual move-in day, Lena’ is on-site to direct movers, greet residents, and make sure everyone has what they need. “I dress down on move-in day,” she says with a laugh, “because I’m out there with the movers.”
She walks movers through campus routes, helps coordinate arrivals, and even provides snacks and water to everyone involved. She often encourages new residents to take a well-deserved break on moving day and enjoy lunch at one of The Forest’s dining venues. Lena’s infectious smile and helpful attitude, along with her highly organized approach, helps to set everyone at ease on moving day.
Helping Residents Feel at Home
The support doesn’t stop at the end of your moving day. Even after your boxes are unpacked, Lena’ will be there to lend a helping hand. After move-in, she checks in regularly until residents feel settled and comfortable in the community.
New Forest residents are also paired with a resident mentor through The Forest at Duke’s mentorship program. Mentors are thoughtfully matched based on shared interests, location of their cottage or apartment, and their lifestyle preferences.
Living in a new place can be intimidating, and many new residents who move in alone or from out of state worry about meeting new people and building friendships. Fortunately, Lena’ says, “We have the friendliest people at The Forest.” When new residents see how welcoming everyone is, their worries fade away pretty quickly.
“Get Lost!”
Another common worry among new residents? Navigating a new campus. Lena’s advice is refreshingly simple: Get lost!
“If you get lost, that means you’ll find a shortcut,” she says. “And you’re never alone on the The Forest campus.” Residents quickly discover that neighbors and staff are eager to help with directions, recommendations, or simply a friendly conversation.
Extra Support During the Transition
Because we know that moving can feel emotionally and physically overwhelming even after you’ve arrived in your new residence, The Forest at Duke offers additional services to help residents settle in comfortably.
Through The Forest at Home’s “Welcome Home” service, residents receive three hours of personalized move-in support to help unpack, organize, and feel comfortable in their new home. Maintenance also provides two complimentary hours to help with tasks such as hanging artwork, assembling furniture, adjusting shelving, and setting up the home.
A Few Final Move-In Tips
Lena’ has one memorable request for incoming residents: “No pianos,” she says, laughing. “We already have pianos on campus for everyone to enjoy.”
But there are a few things she wholeheartedly encourages residents to bring: “Bring the dogs, bring the cats, bring the grandkids,” she says. “We want you to feel at home.”
“It’s a big thing to leave your home of many years to come here,” Lena’ says. “We recognize it’s a big deal, so we do everything we can to make the transition a little bit better.”