Moving Day for Seniors: Do's and Don'ts

Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on October 13, 2017

Moving Day for Seniors: Do’s and Don’ts

America has been noted to be one of the most mobile countries in the world; the average American moves over 11 times in a lifetime. Most of these moves are made earlier in life for educational and work purposes. However, it can become necessary or convenient as we age to consider moving, whether that reason is to be closer to family or to receive care in assisted living. Moving day for a senior can be a mix of emotions and can bring much stress through this major transition. There are a variety of options to consider when preparing for moving day.

DO’S

1. Do plan your move: Try to have a few months to plan your move. It is important to think about many things such as the choice of your new home to what moving company would work best for your needs. Divide and conquer rooms so that the stress of moving day isn’t all at once.
2. Do consider feelings: Moving from a home that you have been in for a long time, perhaps even a home that you raised your family in, holds many memories and many sentiments. For a family who is helping an aged loved one find a new home for more help should keep this in mind and to not take these feelings lightly. Be sure to take things slowly and talk about memories as well as that it is okay to feel sad for the approaching moving day.
3. Do sort through items: Moving to an assisted living, a nursing home, or a home closer to family will most likely involve downsizing. This means that sorting through items to decide what to keep, what to give away, and what to throw away may be a process. For the items that have sentimental attachments, maybe consider seeing if younger family members have any interest in them, or try to take a picture of the item to remember them.
4. Do recreate the home: For loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, or for those who may not be the most comfortable with moving, take pictures of how the home is set up, including room arrangements and where things are placed in the kitchen to make for an easier transition to the new place of living.
5. Do remember address changes: This can be included in part of your planning to move. It is important to contact the postal office, family members, friends, your insurance, your bank, and physicians’ offices to be sure that important documents make it to your new place.

DON’TS

1. Don’t lift heavy items: Lifting heaving boxes, climbing ladders to reach high storage places in closets, or trying to complete other home projects before the move are things that you may have to reach out for help from a family member or neighbor. Good questions to ask are, “Can I get hurt while doing this?” or “Do I feel like my balance is off and that I could fall?”
2. Don’t forget to work with your community manager: If you are moving to a senior living facility, reaching out to the community manager or anyone else who helps with the move-in process can help you or your family coordinate times with your moving company. You may also be able to have access to the floor plan of your room or apartment so you can better plan where you would like your furniture to be arranged.
3. Don’t pack in large boxes: This also goes along the lines with not lifting too heavy of items as well as making it easier on your movers for not lifting so many things in a box. Also, with fewer things collected in a box, the packing material can better protect your household items.
4. Don’t refuse help: Not reaching out for help can make it hard for family members and friends to know how they can best help you both with the move and how you are feeling about it. Let your loved ones know about your plan. Working with others can also help you make the best decision as more people are able to do research on the best moving companies, the best places to live, and even to use resources such as Senior Living Link to search for a location near your family and friends.
5. Don’t make quick decisions: Once you or your family members decide that moving is the best decision, it is still important not to rush through the process. Life events such as a spouse passing away, being diagnosed with an illness, or having a life-threatening injury may feel like moving forward quickly would be the best decision, but weighing out all of your choices can help to ensure the best decision and to be able to make the best move.

Rely on Senior Living Link Today

At Senior Living Link, we are always here to help determine the right next steps for your loved one, no matter what. Get in touch with us by filling out a contact form and we will help you and your family through the next phase of this journey.