Are you planning on moving your elderly parents? Are you seeking a seamless transition?
Downsize with Empathy
- Start with an open and honest conversation: Before making any decisions, have an initial conversation with your parent about their thoughts and feelings regarding the move. Understand their fears, concerns, and desires to ensure their voices are heard throughout the process. This will help create a sense of shared decision-making and reduce any negative emotions.
- Seek professional advice: Consulting a financial advisor or geriatric care manager can provide you with valuable guidance while making important decisions related to finances, level of care, and finding the right living facility. These professionals can offer objective advice and help alleviate some of the emotional stress associated with such decisions.
- Create a care plan: Assess your parent’s health care needs and create a comprehensive care plan before the move. This will help ensure their safety and well-being in their new environment. Involving their health care provider, social workers, or care facility staff can provide you with valuable insights and support during this process.
- Preserve sentimental items: Moving to a smaller space may require downsizing belongings, but it’s important to preserve sentimental items that hold emotional attachments. Photographs, heirlooms, and other beloved items can help provide comfort and a sense of familiarity in their new living environment.
Make It a Family Event
- Start with open communication: This meeting should include your elderly parent, siblings, children, and any other close relatives who are involved in the decision-making process. Listen to everyone’s thoughts, concerns, and suggestions, ensuring that each person’s voice is heard and valued. By working collaboratively from the beginning, you can build a strong foundation for a smooth transition.
- Assign roles and tasks: Moving involves numerous tasks, from packing and organizing to finding the right living facility. Create a list of tasks and assign specific roles to different family members. Dividing the responsibilities will not only lighten the load for everyone but will also create a sense of shared responsibility and accomplishment. This will help to avoid overwhelming one person and promote teamwork.
- Make it a bonding experience: Moving can be a stressful time, but it can also be an opportunity for the family to come together and bond. Take breaks from the moving process to spend quality time with each other. Share meals, play games, or simply have conversations to foster a sense of togetherness. These moments of connection will not only make the moving process more enjoyable but will also create lasting memories for the entire family.
- Respect each other’s opinions: During the decision-making process, it’s natural for family members to have different opinions and ideas. Approach these discussions with respect and empathy. Listen to each other’s perspectives and find common ground. The ultimate goal is to ensure the best possible living situation for your elderly parent. By working together and respecting each other’s viewpoints, you can make informed decisions that reflect the collective needs and desires of the family.
- Celebrate the new chapter: Once the move is complete, take the time to celebrate this new chapter in your parent’s life. Plan a family gathering or a small get-together to mark the occasion. Share stories, offer words of encouragement, and express your love and support. This celebration will not only help your parent feel cherished but will also reinforce the idea that the entire family is there for them every step of the way.
If you decide to move an elderly parent or other aging relative in with you, you won’t be alone: One out of every four caregivers live with the elderly or disabled loved one he or she cares for. [1]
Keep Your Parent Involved in Decision Making
- Have regular conversations: Schedule regular check-ins with your parent to discuss their preferences, concerns, and any new developments. By actively involving them in the decision-making process, you can ensure that their needs and desires are at the forefront.
- Respect their wishes: While you may have your own ideas and opinions, it’s important to respect your parent’s wishes. Consider their personal preferences and take their input seriously. Remember, it’s their life and living space, and they should have the final say in decisions that directly affect them. This will help maintain their dignity and sense of self-control.
- Provide options: Instead of making all the decisions for your parent, present them with a range of options. Research different living spaces, senior living communities, and assisted living facilities together. Discuss the pros and cons of each option, taking into consideration their level of care and specific needs. By giving them options, you can empower them to make choices that resonate with them.
- Seek their input on sentimental items: Involve your parent in the decision-making process for what to bring to their new living space. Ask them which personal and beloved items hold special meaning for them. This will ensure that their new living environment feels familiar, comforting, and filled with cherished memories.
- Involve them in the transition process: Moving is not just about packing and physically moving belongings. It also involves transitioning to a new community and adjusting to a different way of life. Include your parent in the transitional process by researching social events and activities offered at their new living facility. Discuss the available care plans and involve them in conversations with health care providers and social workers. By keeping them involved in these discussions, you can help ease the emotional stress and ensure that their needs are met.
Surround Them with Familiar Things
When planning their new living space, make an effort to surround them with familiar things. This can include personal items such as photographs, artwork, or cherished mementos. These visual reminders of their past can provide a sense of continuity and help them feel connected to their identity and memories.
If they had a favorite chair or a specific arrangement of furniture, try to replicate that in the new environment. This will help create a sense of familiarity and comfort, making the transition smoother for your parent.
Keep in mind that your parent may be attached to certain everyday items that provide them with a sense of routine and familiarity. Whether it’s their favorite coffee maker, a specific set of dishes, or a cozy blanket, these small items can bring a sense of comfort to their new living space. Prioritize bringing these essentials to help maintain a feeling of normalcy and stability.
Find out if there are any existing connections in the new community, such as friends or relatives, that your parent can spend time with. Encourage them to participate in social events and activities offered at their new senior community to foster new relationships and create a sense of belonging.
Develop a Moving Plan
- Start early: Begin the planning process as soon as possible to allow ample time for preparations. Moving can be a complex task, especially when dealing with the needs and preferences of an elderly parent. Give yourself enough time to make important decisions and complete all necessary tasks.
- Assess their level of care: Consider factors such as mobility challenges or any health conditions that require specialized care. This assessment will help determine the most suitable option, whether it’s an independent living community, assisted living facility, or memory care community.
- Consult a senior care advisor: These advisors can provide you with valuable information about the various senior living communities available, as well as offer insights into care assessment and planning. Their expertise can help you make informed decisions based on your parent’s unique needs.
- Create a checklist: Compile a detailed checklist of all the tasks that need to be completed before, during, and after the move. Break down each task into smaller, manageable steps to make the process less overwhelming. This checklist should include everything from packing and organizing belongings to notifying relevant parties of the address change.
- Gather necessary documents: This includes medical records, legal paperwork, insurance information, and financial documents. Having these documents in order will help facilitate a smooth transition and ensure that your parent’s needs are met in their new living space.
- Communicate with the new living facility: Keep open lines of communication with the staff at the new senior living facility. Coordinate with them to arrange for a smooth transition, ensuring that the necessary preparations are made before your parent’s arrival. Discuss any specific needs or preferences your parent may have, such as meal preferences or medical requirements, to facilitate a seamless adjustment.
Hire Professional Movers
To ease the transition and alleviate some of the stress, it is highly recommended to hire professional movers who specialize in senior moves. Movers have the expertise and experience to handle the unique needs and challenges that come with moving elderly individuals.
When hiring professional movers for a senior move, it’s important to choose a company that specializes in working with elderly individuals. They should have experience in handling the unique needs of seniors, such as mobility challenges, special accommodations, and sensitivity to emotional attachment.
Are you facing the daunting task of moving your elderly parent to a new home?
Matt’s Moving is here to help ease the transition for both you and your loved one. Contact Matt’s today to request a quote and let our professional movers assist you in making this transition a positive and seamless experience for your parent.
Source:
[1] 10 Factors to Consider Before Moving Your Elderly Parents In | VirginiaNavigator. (2023, January 29). https://seniornavigator.org/article/66967/10-factors-consider-moving-your-elderly-parents
