A Helpful Guide To Make Moves Less Stressful For Seniors
When elderly folks move, it’s not always out of a desire to relocate but more of a necessity. Whether it’s spurred on by a medical issue, a financial hardship, or another reason altogether, moving can be especially hard for aging adults.
To make the move easier on seniors, Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. has put together the following moving tips for seniors.
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9 Tips For Helping Seniors Move
Help sort. Be gentle when suggesting to get rid of possessions. Ask them if they use the item and if they would mind if you donate it. If it’s a treasure or something they’d like to keep but the new space can’t accommodate it, suggest keeping it in the family by giving it to a grandchild or another sibling. It’s often easier to give away items if they are going to a good home.
Downsizing space. If your parents are moving from a three-bedroom home to a one-bedroom condo, then together you’ll need to decide what will fit and how much can be kept.
Take pictures of the inside of the current home. When possible, try to place objects in a similar way so that their new home will feel very much like the old one.
Start small. Give your senior(s) small tasks to do such as going through a desk drawer or a box from the attic. Ask them to spend small amounts of time per day on one task. Let them decide what they’d like to do and what they might find hard to do. Taking small steps will help your parents get used to the idea of moving.
Pick a room that has less sentimental attachment. Have them start sorting through a bathroom or kitchen instead of a room with sentimental objects. If that’s overwhelming, start with a drawer.
Plan the move. Allow enough time that they don’t feel rushed. Sorting through years of stuff is difficult and sometimes emotionally painful.
Hire outside help. Sometimes it’s easier for your parents to work with an outside party than with their children.
Get them involved. If you have access to the new home, take your parents there. Introduce them to the new space and allow them to participate in the designing or furnishing of the space.
Be patient. Allow your parents time to say goodbye to their former surroundings.
Starting a new chapter of life can be daunting especially when it involves leaving a home you’ve lived in and loved for years. Pay attention to your aging loved one’s emotions and give them time to adjust to each phase of the moving process.
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