Moving Elderly Parents Checklist: Things to Consider for an Easy Transition

Table of Contents

• 1. Why Might Moving Seniors Be a Challenge?
• 2. What Are the Main Tips for a Successful Move of Elderly Parents?
• 3. What to Consider While Moving Your Elderly Parents?

 

Moving by yourself is already nerve-racking, but it’s twice as worrisome if you have elderly parents moving with you. Before anything else, you want to avoid causing stress or disturbance to your loved ones. With SEKA Moving, you will find out how to aid your dear parents to their future home, making the transition feel easy and tranquil.

 

Why Might Moving Seniors Be a Challenge?

Some seniors have special needs considering their mobility, while others have health conditions that require attentive care and assistance. With age, any drastic changes may be accompanied by a lot of psychological stress. Even if your loved one is in brilliant health, leaving behind familiar surroundings is always an emotional step for the elderly.

What Are the Main Tips for a Successful Move of Elderly Parents?

Are you getting ready to relocate your loved ones, but not quite sure where to begin? SEKA Moving has prepared some tips which will make the process more efficient, and – what’s more vital! -ensure that your elderly parents can let go of their fear, lay back and enjoy the voyage. Let’s dive into this without further ado!

 

1. Plan Your Move in Advance

You will need to set aside plenty of time to plan and schedule your relocation, especially if you have a large household or if your move is long-distance. Optimally, begin planning as soon as you know about your move. Gather and evaluate tips and advice on what is needed to provide your loved ones with a safe trip.

 

2. Delegate Moving Responsibilities

Are there any items your parents could leave behind? Ask them which possessions behold the most sentimental value, and which are easier to let go of.

Begin moving from small rooms which lack valuable possessions, such as bathrooms. Be actively present within their moving process. That means being ready to ask if help is needed, and offering it accordingly.

 

3. Consider Using Relocation Services for Seniors

Supposably, you can’t be with your parents on moving day – it’s that interview for a new job that you just can’t miss. But you don’t have to leave your dear ones alone if you turn to the help of an expert – the senior move manager.

The expert will help arrange the moving process and assist your parents with complicated decisions. Your seniors are more likely to feel relieved and relaxed when they aren’t alone. Besides that, the expert may refer you to companies that provide services such as cleaning or estate after transportation.

 

4. Plan Your Route With Your Elderly Loved One’s Needs in Mind

Your duty is to reassure that your parent’s journey is filled with comfort. Always check up on them and ask if they need to have a drink of water, a snack, more space to stretch their legs, etc. For the elderly, a long-distance move isn’t easy to bear. Unless you are booking a flight, it is recommended to make frequent stops on the way.

If your elderly parent requires special needs in mobility, some senior-oriented transportation companies also provide services such as non-emergency medical transit. This can be useful if your parents use wheelchairs or oxygen tanks.

 

5. Take Care of Your Elderly Parents’ Health Well in Advance

You and your loved ones will have less reasons to stress if their health has been taken good care of beforehand. Signs of care include frequent visits to their doctor, reminding them to take their medicine at an assigned time, healthy meals and sleep hours, and peaceful, relaxed space at home.

 

6. Create a Plan of the House Using a Blueprint of the New House

Make sure you have a blueprint of the house you’re moving to. This can help you plan in advance where you’re going to assemble your furniture, place items, and so on. If you are involved with arts and crafts, you may even sketch a little map. Visualizing the new home in detail can help your loved ones deal with emotional stress.

 

7. Donate Excess Items

Let’s say some possessions aren’t in their prime condition. There’s no sense in keeping them, rather than dusting the shelves. You can’t save them for the nearest holiday either – they make a laughable gift. Maybe you simply have too many excess items left over after packing. Kindly inform your parents not to throw anything away!

Donating to the less fortunate is a wonderful option to connect a charity act with the practicality of your trip. An item, regardless of its condition, is always better donated into good hands and brought to new use, than disposed into the bin.

 

8. Rent a Storage Unit (If It Is Necessary)

SEKA Moving has gathered plenty of information on how to choose the proper storage space. You may find that renting a storage unit is extremely efficient amidst the moving process.

Storage units aren’t a requirement, but nonetheless, people’s popular go-to choice for moving items. It will provide a well-guarded, protected space for your elderly loved one’s goods, therefore helping take moving stress off their shoulders.

 

9. Find a New Doctor

Moving long-distance to a new area means taking longer trips to the doctor, which can exhaust someone of elderly age. Fortunately, there are many doctors in most neighborhoods, and you can introduce your elderly parents to a new medical professional.

Research information on the doctor, to make sure you find someone who covers your parent’s needs and requirements. If your elderly parent has working insurance, give your insurance company a call to reassign it to be associated with your new doctor’s name.

 

10. Hire Professional Movers

Professional movers can make your journey much easier so that you won’t have to carry these heavy cardboards back and forth. If you’re questioning how to choose a moving company, read our article that will provide you with a guide.

SEKA Moving’s name in particular has such an unswerving reputation because we focus on providing you with the best quality services. We care about assuring that you and your elderly loved ones are assisted with the help and services that you deserve.

 

11. Prepare a New Home for Your Parents

With your elderly dear ones by your side, you might want to unpack your belongings at an earlier stage than usual. If you need a set of tips and tricks, the SEKA Moving blog has articles on unpacking and settling.

Start with unpacking the most important items that your parents will need from day one. Don’t place anything in locations far out of reach, such as top shelves. Make sure the essentials are easily reachable.

 

12. Make the New Location Feel Like Home

What distinguishes the definition of “home” from any place is its mellow and warm atmosphere. Focus on creating a welcoming and comforting vibe. Pick color combinations that are easy on the eyes and not too bright.

Add decorative elements, such as picture frames, lights, vases, plants, and a doormat for the guests. During the process, keep asking your parents’ opinion on how they want their new home decorated. A warm setting is guaranteed to light up your loved ones’ hearts.

What to Consider While Moving Your Elderly Parents?

While moving your loved ones, there are always things to keep in mind. Their age and the stress the move is accompanied with requires you to show compassion, sympathy and kindness at all times. You want to guarantee that your parents have the safest relocation possible.

 

1. Show Sympathy While Talking About Moving

One of the most important requirements of moving with an elderly parent is being sympathetic and understanding. During this time, they particularly need your support and company. Make sure to speak about moving with warmth and compassion.

Spending a lot of quality time with your family members, while reassuring them that moving is a safe solution. You may even discuss and plan to get an emotional support animal, to provide your parents with joy and comfort.

 

2. Talk About the Benefits of a New Home to Your Loved One

While discussing the new place with your parents, make a checklist of all the benefits it provides. Does it have a backyard suitable for gardening? Or a larger living room, perfect for a new TV set? You name it!

If your parent has dementia or Alzheimer’s, make sure these conversations take part in the early stages of either. This will cause more awareness within their understanding of the moving process.

 

3. Surround Your Parents With Familiar Things in the New Home

A delightful way to welcome your elderly parents into the new apartment or house would be to add a nostalgic touch. Fill their room with sentimental items they are familiar with, such as souvenirs, presents from loved ones, or picture frames. Looking at old, well-known items which behold precious memories can bring your parents solace during times of melancholy.

 

4. Help Them Adapt to Their New Surroundings

Do a little tour for your parents around the new place. Show them where everything is now located: for example, kitchen utensils, bathroom towels, and so on.

The new house will probably have a different setup than the one you were used to. Be patient, for it can take some time before your loved one truly feels like they are at home.