Making the Move Easier: Tips for Helping Senior Family Members Relocate

Moving can be a stressful experience at any age. But when it comes to elderly family members, it can be even more difficult due to the physical and emotional challenges that often come with age.

As the general population is living longer than ever, the logistics of caring for family members and supporting them in their golden years have become more common for families across the country. 

 

Relocation for many people can be down to many reasons, be it health concerns, reduced mobility, combat loneliness, or to experience somewhere new and involve moving to many different living arrangements. From moving to a smaller property, moving in with family, or taking up residence in a retirement village or care facility, how you approach the move can be swayed by different factors. This post examines how you can make this move easier for everyone involved.

 

Get Organized Well In Advance

When relocating a senior family member, it’s essential to start getting organized well in advance. Create a list of the tasks needed and allocate time for each job. This will help you stay on track and make sure nothing is forgotten. 

This can include arranging new medical care providers, contacting utility companies to inform them of the move, and changing addresses with companies such as insurance, banks, investments, etc.

 

Break The Process Down Into Manageable Chunks

Depending on the circumstances of the move and the health of your loved one, the move might be a massive overwhelming process. For this reason, take it slow and break it down into chunks. 

Big changes can be hard to adjust to. Allow them to become acclimatized to the changes gradually instead of doing everything all at once and potentially overwhelming them. What works best will depend on your circumstances, but in many cases, the senior in your life will be leaving behind a home and a life they have lived in for many years.

 

Organize Belongings to Downsize if Required

Typically, when moving a senior, it is due to a change in health or mobility; for this reason, they won’t be able to take many of their belongings if moving to a care home or retirement village. The same if moving in with a relative. 

 

Check with other family members to see if they would like anything, donate to charities or sell anything you can’t take with you. So take the time to go through everything they own and see what it is they really want to keep to take with them and what you can donate. The earlier you do this, the less there will be to do closer to the time, and the less stressful it will be come moving day.

 

Arrange Medical Support or Companionship for the Journey

Ideally, you will want to be there every step of the way. However, this isn’t always possible, especially if you have young children, for example, or a busy job that needs your attention. For this reason, looking into medical assistance or companionship during the trip can be a good alternative. These options allow someone to accompany your loved one during the travel section of the location and ensure they aren’t alone and they are being tended to medically if required. Companies such as Jet Companion provide such services for people domestically and internationally when relocating via plane.

 

Listen to Their Concerns and Ensure They Feel Comfortable Throughout the Transition

One of the most important things to remember when helping a senior family member relocate is to listen to their concerns and ensure they feel comfortable throughout the transition. Moving to a new home can be an emotional and stressful experience, so it’s essential to be patient and understanding. Make sure to listen to the senior family member’s concerns and give them the time and space to process the move.

It’s also essential to ensure your loved one feels safe and secure throughout the transition. Ensure to provide them with any necessary items to help them feel at home in their new environment. This could include things like comfort, favorite snacks, and photos of family and friends.

 

Conclusion

Moving can be a challenging experience for seniors, but it can be a positive experience with proper preparation and assistance. Following the tips outlined above can help make the move smoother for your senior family member. From getting organized and creating a plan to providing emotional support and ensuring their needs are met, you can take a few key steps to make the transition smoother.