Moving is stressful at any age, and it’s doubly so for elders. Moving into a new house or a living community is not a simple thing; it brings a lot of physical demands along with emotional strain. Busy Buddies, Inc., are experts at moving elderly parents, and can provide you with the help you need.
In this post, we share ways to make a move less stressful for seniors.
Set and Manage Expectations
Elderly loved ones always get emotional when faced with the prospect of leaving their home of so many years. There will usually be some apprehension and even downright resistance to the idea. They often react as if you’re getting rid of them instead of just helping them move.
As part of caring transitions, set expectations and relieve their fears. Give them time to grieve and be honest about why they need to move and where they will be going. This way, they won’t see the move as a loss of control over their lives.
Take a Sneak Peek
Give your elderly loved one a sneak peek of the new property or facility where they’ll be living. It makes the moving process a less stressful and even exciting prospect. For new homes, a blueprint will help them picture the new house and how much space they will have.
Tour their new neighborhood or community with them, as well. This eliminates unknowns and answers questions they may have, and helps them become more settled about the idea of moving.
Make It a Point to Downsize
Assist your elderly loved one in downsizing and getting rid of items they can’t bring along. Help them understand why they should get rid of these things. If they refuse to sell an item, you can ask them to pass it down to a relative who can care for it. The elderly moving services offered by Busy Buddies include help with downsizing.
Busy Buddies provides all kinds of transitioning services, including downsizing help for seniors. We proudly serve families in Arlington, VA, and neighboring areas. Call us at (703) 828-1833 for a free consultation about your life-changing plans.
