Moving to a senior living community can be one of the biggest transitions in a person's life. 

For Gen and Chuck, that transition felt a little less overwhelming because they were returning somewhere familiar.

"Of course, we had the advantage that we knew the building, as we were students here," Gen shares. "The team members here are very caring. It's so clear that they want to make life here for us not only comfortable and pleasant, but safe."

Gen and Chuck first met at Old Main Village, a community managed by The Goodman Group, back in 1955 when the building served as the heart of Minnesota State Mankato's campus. Nearly 70 years later, the couple now calls the same building home. The wide hallways where they once rushed between classes now offer peaceful morning strolls. The windows where Gen practiced speeches now frame quiet moments of reflection.

Their story shows us something powerful. Familiarity can be a bridge during major life changes.

Why Familiar Places Matter During Transitions

Leaving behind a home filled with decades of memories means saying goodbye to familiar routines, cherished belongings and spaces deeply tied to identity.

Familiar environments can significantly ease this adjustment. They help reduce stress and confusion during transitions. When seniors recognize their surroundings or maintain connections to their past, it provides comfort during a time when everything else feels new and uncertain.

Creating Familiarity in New Spaces

Even when seniors move to communities without a personal history attached, families can still create that sense of familiarity. 

Setting up the new space to mirror the layout of their previous home helps. Displaying family photos in the same arrangement, using their favorite chair and bringing meaningful keepsakes all serve as visual reminders of home.

Many seniors find comfort in maintaining familiar routines too. If someone has always enjoyed coffee while reading the morning paper, continuing that ritual in the new space reinforces a sense of normalcy.

For Gen and Chuck, walking through the same hallways they explored as young students creates daily moments of connection to their past. Those memories of late-night study sessions, chance encounters and formative experiences don't just live in their minds anymore. They're woven into the walls around them.

"The memories are what's nice for us," Gen reflects.

Making the Move Feel More Like Home

While not every senior will have the unique advantage of moving into a building from their past, there are meaningful steps families can take to ease the transition. Research different communities and involve your loved one in the decision-making process. Tour communities together and pay attention to which spaces feel most welcoming.

Ask questions about how the community supports new residents during their first weeks. Many communities assign welcoming committees or plan activities specifically designed to help new residents connect with others. 

Think about timing too. Try to have conversations around the move before an unexpected change forces a quick decision. When seniors feel they have control over the transition and time to adjust emotionally, they handle the change with less stress.

The power of familiar places reminds us that home isn't just about four walls. It's about feeling safe, comfortable and connected to something meaningful. If that familiarity comes from recognizing old hallways or carefully recreating beloved spaces, it makes all the difference.