Tips for Making Moving Less Stressful
Do you have an elderly parent or loved one who can no longer live alone? Maybe your mom or dad is still in the family home, with decades of memories and a knowledge of the house that makes it easy for them to still move around. But either it’s simply become too much or it’s no longer safe. You may be thinking of moving them into a mother-in-law’s apartment in your home or into some type of assisted living. What can you do to ease the transition? How can you move your loved one to a safe and supportive environment as easily and gently as possible?
Strategies for Helping a Senior into a New Place
When preparing an elderly person for a change of residence, you need to consider:
- Their emotional and physical needs
- Don’t let their emotions be the elephant in the room. Ask them very early in the process how they feel about the move. Be careful to listen…don’t initially try to sell them on the move. Often, they’ll start to see the benefits on their own.
- Let them be as involved in possible with the move—Suggest that they pick colors for their room or linens. Let them be involved in placement of furniture or other logistics.
- Make sure the new space is comfortable, but safe—Try as best you can to make the new space feel like home. If necessary, have grab bars and non-slip mats installed.
- Packing and moving
- Use some discretion when sorting and packing—Most often, this move involves some form of downsizing. While you likely won’t want to take everything, be kind and judicious about what gets kept, sold or donated
- Label all items as clearly as possible—This will help you and your loved one easily find necessary items after the move
- Make certain you’ve packed essentials separately—Toiletries, medication and a few changes of clothes should be packed in a “to go” bag, so that they are easily accessible
- The actual move
- Make arrangements as early as possible—You’ll have more choices and likely pay less, and you’ll give your loved one more time to adjust to the impending changes
- Put together a diagram or drawing of the potential layout of the new space, and solicit input from the senior regarding the location of everything.
- Hire professionals—Moving can be a lot of hard work. Often, it’s well worth the money to hire professionals, who can pack, load, transport and unload all items.
