Best Practices for Moving Elderly Loved Ones
A move of this type needs to be carefully planned — and you’ll need to anticipate and deal with some stress and unexpected challenges along the way. It’s best to move the process forward, steadily, but firmly. Otherwise, you’ll go into reactive mode and be scrambling to find a make-do option versus the best choice. Let’s take it step by step.
1. Adopt a Comprehensive Approach to Planning
Thoroughly explore the different factors involved including where and when your parent will be moving, what they can bring into their new home and what needs to be downsized. Keep them involved and interested in what’s going to happen by putting together information about different locations and facilities and, if possible, scheduling tours of them. It’s also time to create a general packing plan so important decisions aren’t left until the last minute.
Above all, do your best to make your loved one feel optimistic about this adjustment and its positive aspects. And if you or they start feeling anxious, these tips for managing moving stress can come in handy.
2. Have an Empathetic Downsizing Strategy
Downsizing a lifetime’s worth of accumulated possessions will be an emotional process, so proceed deliberately, but with care. Remember it’s not just sifting through stuff; certain items will have a great deal of sentimentality associated with them regardless of monetary value. Start by asking your parents to think about five or six possessions they hold most dearly. These are the absolute “keepers.”
From there, begin categorizing your parent’s belongings into “keep,” “store” or “toss” categories, considering the square footage, room layout and storage space that will be available in the new home. Need some guidance? Check out our tips for downsizing.
3. Follow a Step-by-Step Process
Moving is a major undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially if you break it down into small, achievable tasks.
Mentally divide your parent’s home into a series of rooms that can be packed up based on priority and their emotional “weight.” For example, bathrooms and guest rooms are much less likely to contain emotionally charged items, so dealing with them first can empower a parent with a sense of control. Also remember to gather any legal papers, financial records and irreplaceable items (such as photo albums, jewelry and family heirlooms) for safekeeping.
Now it’s time to deal with the items that won’t be moved. Aside from simply having them hauled away, there are many other options to consider, including holding a garage sale, selling them online or offering them to friends and family members. You could also donate items to a charity or non-profit. Here’s a list of charities that offer free pickup.
Of course, not everything will go perfectly smoothly when sentimental belonging are involved. That said, it’s your role to maintain momentum. Prepare for some back-and-forth, but always listen to and respect your loved one’s point of view.
4. Carefully Plan Any Transportation Needs
In many instances, transporting elderly people involves more than just getting into a car and heading off. You’ll need to consider such factors as their mobility needs and limitations, how often they’ll need to stretch their legs and take bathroom breaks, and whether stopover in a hotel or motel might make more sense than driving straight through. Keep in mind that there are companies that focus exclusively on transporting people with special needs, with trained caregivers and specially modified passenger vans and RVs.
There’s also the possibility of flying; however, keep in mind airports aren’t always easy for elderly or frail people to navigate. If you decide to make the trip by air, book a nonstop flight, and if possible, check whether there will be airport escorts, accessible seating and medical aid available at both ends to make adjustments accordingly.
5. Organize and Simplify the Move with Checklists
Well-organized and comprehensive checklists are a boon for managing any move. As a company with nearly a century of managing all types of moves, trust Mayflower for expert advice, tips and tricks for making every type of move as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Some of the most popular include:
- Our Eight-Week Moving Checklist that covers all the task you need to deal with to sail through a move successfully
- The Moving Supplies Checklist that ensures you’ll have the tools and supplies needed to help protect your loved one’s belongings from damage during transit
- Advice on how to spot unscrupulous movers and avoid expensive moving scams which prey upon elderly and uninformed customers
Whether or not you choose to go with Mayflower to assist you with moving an elderly parent or loved one, we still hope you’ll use these valuable tips and advice.
6. Hire a Professional Moving Company
It’s safe to say that working with a full-service professional mover will make the entire experience easier and more manageable for both you and your aging parent versus going with a mover with a limited range of services or doing it all by yourself.
For starters, full-service moving companies like Mayflower can handle just about any move-related need you might have. From packing and loading to transportation and unloading, a full-service mover will eliminate a lot of the stress and physical demands you’d face with a container or DIY move.
Every Mayflower full-service move automatically includes:
- A dedicated move coordinator overseeing the entire process
- Qualified drivers and equipment
- Standard furniture placement
- Transport of appliances (w/out connecting and disconnecting)
- Loading the moving truck
- Transportation to your new home or office
- Unloading the truck at the destination
Above this, we also offer packing/unpacking services, debris removal, storage auto transportation and more for an additional charge. We also factor in the cost of full-value protection for your belongings when providing a quote. Of course, you can always waive this protection.
Seamlessly Move Your Elderly Loved One with Mayflower
Moving elderly parents or loved ones can be physically and emotionally stressful, so why not let Mayflower take care of the details you’d rather leave to a professional? Get a no-obligation quote from Mayflower, the nation’s most trusted mover. Count on us and our expert full-service moving packages, packing and unpacking services and other moving solutions.
Need tips on packing specific types of items? Check out Mayflower’s comprehensive tips and guides. And don’t forget our new downloadable digital magazine, Welcome Home, created especially for people on the move.
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