How to Make Moving Easier on Senior Citizens
The planning and execution phases of a move can be quite challenging for anyone at any age. For seniors it can be extra challenging due to some of the unique considerations they face with a move later in life. The transition to a new residence for a senior can be difficult emotionally depending on the circumstances involved and the reason for the move. Whether your loved one is moving from a residential home into a smaller home or an apartment or assisted living facility, there are ways to help your loved one handle the transition with as little stress as possible. At Berger Allied Moving & Storage, our team understands the needs of seniors who are moving to a new residence. We are committed to providing the senior relocation services they need to make the moving process smooth and successful.
Produce a Moving Schedule
To ensure the moving process runs smoothly and stays on schedule over a period of weeks and months, it is important to create a moving schedule that you and your loved one can follow. Setting dates for everything helps ensure nothing is rushed and it gives your loved one the opportunity to transition away from their current residence to the new one. Senior movers often have one or more moving consultants that can visit the home of your loved one and provide an estimate of the relocation project. The consultant can also provide a moving timeline for the senior relocation services required to complete the move.
Prepare Early for the Move
Regardless of how you go about getting the move done, it is important to start planning early. This will give you and your senior adequate time to prepare. It will give time for decluttering and downsizing as needed and reduce the sense of loss your loved one feels during this period of change.
Declutter and Downsize
Often, when a senior moves, they are moving from a larger home to a smaller residence with less space for their belongings which fit comfortably in their previous home. This provides the opportunity to declutter and downsize prior to the move. Talk with your senior about their belongings and how they can reduce the number of items they have. Suggest how some items might benefit others through donation or by selling them at a yard sale.
Take Care of the Paperwork
The move will likely include the need to fill out and handle quite a bit of paperwork. Whenever possible, it will help if you can fill out the necessary paperwork, making sure all documents are completed. Senior movers can work more accurately and efficiently when the paperwork is not delayed and your senior will carry less of a burden as well.
Find the Right Housing Fit for Your Senior
It will likely take some time to find the right fit for your loved one and their needs when it comes to housing. Listen and discuss their needs and preferences. Find out what makes them feel most at home and search for a living environment that simulates much or at least some of the previous home environment they enjoyed. When helping settle your loved one in their new space, try to recreate the feel of their old home, whenever possible. This may include arranging furniture, pictures, and other décor in a similar fashion, unless they have expressed the desire for a change.
If they are moving into an assisted living home, will they have access to proper medical care onsite? Will there be opportunities to socialize and participate in planned activities? Does the assisted living home have dining options? Does it allow freedom to decorate rooms with artwork or add mounted TVs and lighting? Can they bring new furniture into the new residence?
Help Your Loved One Become Familiar With Their New Residence
Prior to moving day, make it a point to visit your loved ones’ new home on multiple occasions. You can schedule these visits to help them gain familiarity with the new environment before moving there. While there, request photos, videos, and a floor plan, if possible, to have something for later reference.
Make Move-In Day a Relaxed Family Effort
When moving day arrives, the senior relocation services your loved one is using should handle the bulk of the moving effort. As for you and your loved one, make moving day a family affair with other family members who are there to help and support your senior. This will help encourage your loved one, especially if they have any uneasiness about this big change.
In preparation for the unpacking process at the new home, unload oversized items first, which may include large items of furniture, such as couches, dressers, tables, and beds. You can bring these items into their designated rooms much easier when the rooms are still empty. Once these items are arranged, the smaller items should fall into place much easier.
Make it a point to stay with your loved one all day to unpack and relax. This will help your senior feel better about the process and more at home. Continue the process until all boxes are unpacked and make plans to return soon either by yourself or with other loved ones.
To learn more about the senior relocation services we offer at Berger Allied Moving & Storage, call us today at 866.969.5040 or request a relocation quote.
