Your senior loved one has enjoyed their home for years, but in many cases, moving to a smaller residence or assisted living is important for their well-being. As health changes arise, seniors often find that a residential move becomes critical for them to continue to stay independent.
While your parent is likely worried about how to say goodbye to a house full of memories, you are probably more worried about the logistics of a major move. After all, your loved one should not be lifting heavy boxes. While moving as a senior does require some special considerations, you can use these tips to make the process a little easier.
Start Downsizing Early
Your loved one has likely accumulated many possessions over the years, and you can expect it to take several weeks to months to clear out their home if they have lived there for a long time.
Begin the downsizing process as soon as your loved one has made their final decision to move. This way, you can sort their belongings according to whether or not they will be trashed, donated or given away. Starting early also gives your loved one time to do things, such as pass down family heirlooms, without feeling pressured.
Plan for Moving Antiques
Moving antique furniture or prized artwork is quote different from putting a bunch of boxes in a truck. Have your loved one’s valuables assessed before your move, and then get a professional moving quote that covers what it will cost to move them safely.
Professional movers use special packing materials along with strategized placement in the moving truck to keep antiques safe. If your loved one cannot fit all of their antiques into their new home, decide where these items will go, such as to a storage unit or another family member’s home, before moving day.
Focus On Safety
Spry older adults sometimes try to do more than they should during a move. Sit down with your loved one and discuss the parts of the move that they should delegate to others, such as climbing ladders to reach shelves or trying to move heavy furniture from one room to another.
Encourage Frequent Breaks
Sorting, packing and cleaning for a move requires a great deal of energy, and it is easy for seniors to become overwhelmed by all of the physical labor. To ensure that your loved one doesn’t get overwhelmed, ask them to take frequent breaks. For example, they could work for 30 minutes and then take a 15-minute break.
Pack a Bag of Essentials
On moving day, the majority of your loved one’s belongings will be in boxes. For seniors with health needs, this can pose a problem if they are not able to access things such as their medication.
Help your loved one stay healthy and comfortable by packing a bag of essentials that they will need for the first three days in their new home. They may need several changes of clothes along with items such as extra medicine just in case they struggle to find things in the aftermath of the move.
Make Plans for Moving Day
Senior adults sometimes find it stressful to watch their things leave their home. Therefore, it is helpful to give your loved one positive things to focus on while the professional movers handle the transportation of boxes from one place to another.
Take your loved one out to lunch on moving day while another family member stays behind to supervise the move, or you can help them begin unpacking and setting up their new home. This way, they stay positive about the benefits that moving to a smaller residence brings for the future.
Island Movers has experience helping senior citizens enjoy a safe move that protects their heirlooms. Contact us for a quote on your loved one’s move today.
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