Senior Moving Tips
Whether you are looking to downsize after retirement, moving closer to be near your immediate family, or are placing a senior loved one into an assisted living facility or retirement home, planning a relocation is all too common when we reach our golden years. All moves can be deemed stressful but senior moves usually involve additional emotions, which can make the process feel more difficult. Here are some tips to make your senior relocation, whether for yourself or a loved one, easy and stress-free.
Communication is Key: In order to make the transition smoother, it’s important to talk to your parents or elderly loved one early on to help them cope with their emotions. Many times, people will have a strong emotional connection to their homes, so it’s important to give them time to grieve if necessary. Change can be difficult for anyone, young and old, so you’ll want to make sure there is open communication so they know the entire plan. This plan can include things such as where they are going to be living and why they are moving. Your senior loved one will feel better when they feel like they haven’t lost control of their own situation, so if possible, give them options and choices when it comes to location and what will happen with their personal belongings. Keeping your loved one in the loop with their transition will limit stress and make them feel more comfortable about their new home.
Plan Ahead: Planning ahead of time is crucial for a stress-free senior relocation. Depending on their new living situation, you may have to downsize significantly. Figure out the square foot measurements of your current home and future home to make it easier to how much you will need to downsize. Be aware of the floor plan ahead of time so you can know exactly what furniture and other personal belongings will fit. This plan will be your guideline as you make decisions about what should stay and what should go. It took years to accumulate most of those belongings so this process is something that should be executed weeks or even months before the move. Slowing the process down, instead of getting rid of things in a hurry will also make it easier for your loved one.
Get Organized: Since most senior moves will involve downsizing, the process will require a lot of sorting and organizing. Go through the entire house, piece by piece. Categorizing each item and separating them will help to organize the clutter. These categories can include items to take, items to be sold or donated, items to throw away, and personal keepsakes for family. Remember to be sensitive to your senior’s feelings when packing, as they may have a lot of emotional attachment to their items.
Clean Up: After all the packing and organizing, it’s time to clean. Whether the property is going to be sold, rented, or given to another relative, the home will need a good scrub down. If the home needs repairs or minor updates such as painting, now would be the time to do so. This can also be a great way to add value to the home if you decide to sell it. Taking care of maintenance issues at the same time rather than when the home is already rented or after the house is for sale will be much easier on you.
Get Extra Help: Planning and executing a senior move can be a huge task, so asking your family to join you for emotional, mental, and physical support will be very beneficial. This process is very involved so it’s recommended you request time off from work to help limit stress and feeling rushed. If your siblings or other relatives live out of town or are unavailable, contacting a professional and reliable moving company is your next best bet to assist you. Hiring an expert senior mover such as Apex Moving will take all the extra burden and stress from your shoulders and leave you and your loved one with a stress-free moving experience.
