Moving Elderly Parents

Moving Elderly Parents

Moving a parent or parents to a new home, perhaps across the country to be closer to you, can be an exciting new adventure during their golden years.

To ensure the transition is a pleasant experience, begin preparations for the move as early as possible. Being organized will create simplicity and allow your parents time to welcome the upcoming change.

Communicate And Involve

Before you start any of the necessary details of the move, such as having estimators come to the home, or sorting through your parents belongings, speak with your parents and explain, if needed why the move will be happening. Your parents may have lived in the same home for many years, and will need time to adjust to the impending move.

If your parents are in a position to make choices, involve them in the upcoming process of the move. Share with them and receive their feedback on some of the important decisions that will need to be made. Don’t overload them with too much information, as this may cause confusion and create anxiety.

Plan A Layout

If the move is going to be emotionally difficult for your elderly parents, help them feel involved and possibly even inspired, by laying out a plan of the new home and deciding which pieces of furniture will fit and where they can be placed. It can be an opportunity to choose some new color and décor. Encourage excitement.

This planning can also assist you, as it will provide important information on pieces of furniture that can be moved and what might need to remain. Take measurements, so that you have a good sense of size. It will also give your parent’s time to adjust to the fact that they may need to part with some of their longtime belongings.

Organizing The Move

Moving a parent from their current home may require some additional helping hands. This could be in the form of family members, friends or hired help. Creating a Moving Timeline could be very beneficial to coordinate all the moving parts and assign tasks to those able to help.

If you will be hiring help, consider using a company that specialize in providing services when moving a senior. Two companies are:

• Caring Transitions – Is a well-known franchise with locations across the U.S. Each transition specialist has received credentials to become a Certified Relocation Transitions Specialist (CRTS).
• Senior Move Managers – The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) is a leading organization for senior moves.

If your parents live in a different part of the country, the planning of the move will need to be executed down to every last detail. Time away from home may be required and completion might need to be accomplished in a very short time frame.

While creating your moving timeline, you can also begin researching reputable moving companies and seeing what Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company. This way, you can already set up appointments to receive Estimates when you will be with your parents.

Once the packing is ready to begin, remember, a lot of these items are not yours. It is important to be patient and sympathetic while it is decided which items will be kept, discarded or donated. Some of these items may hold sentimental value and memories for you and your parents.

To have a smooth and efficient packing process:

• Suggest your parents begin packing an area with no emotional ties, such as a laundry room, or a study.
• Focus on one room at a time.
• Protect any fragile items.
• Make sure all boxes are clearly labeled. Your parents may need something upon arrival. Knowing which box it is in can save any anxiety from occurring.
• Pack some essentials separately. Things you know will make your parents feel comfortable and secure while being without their belongings.

Moving Day

Make sure someone familiar is present on the day of moving. Someone your parents trust, and are comfortable with. This could be a very emotional day and they may need loving support.

If your parents need to travel by air or car to their new home, dependent on their age, health and wellbeing make sure they are accompanied for the duration of the journey. Again, have someone familiar present when they arrive at their new home, someone who can ease them into their new surroundings.