Moving out from one house to another can be an overwhelming task for everyone. However, the situation becomes a bit different if the person being moved out is a senior citizen.
In this case, senior people have different problems that need to be considered before moving out because they include medical requirements, limited mobility, emotional attachment to a certain place or routine, etc.
Most of senior citizens spent years in one house and moving out of their familiar neighborhood, familiar neighbors, nearby shops, doctors and many other things can be an emotional shock for them. Families should remember about it besides physical moving out issues.
The positive aspect of such kind of moving is that it is quite possible to organize such a move without much trouble if it will be planned properly. The main rule of the successful move is a proper preparation and organization.
This guide will show how to organize such a move without any problems and stress.
Start Planning the Move Early
Among the most vital things that need to be done while moving with seniors is to start preparing way ahead of time. Procrastination can cause a lot of stress and confusion.
By having enough time to prepare for a move, everyone will be able to discuss all necessary issues related to moving, organize their belongings, arrange transportation, and take care of any medical needs of senior citizens.
Make sure that you have a simple moving schedule and distribute work in small parts to make the process easier and avoid forgetting about something crucial.
If possible, include seniors into the process of planning because informing them about all the plans and schedules may decrease stress levels.
Discuss the Move Openly and Respectfully
Moving can be an emotional experience for older adults. While some may be excited about the new location, others may be anxious about the prospect of leaving the house that is full of memories.
It is crucial to take into account their worries and let them share their emotions. Do not treat the relocation as the decision that was made for them, but involve them in discussions whenever it is possible.
Explain to them why the relocation is taking place. Regardless of whether you do it because of health reasons, convenience, or because of the money, understanding the reasons will help them cope with the situation.
During this discussion, it is vital to be patient. Older adults may need more time to accept the idea of moving and have many questions about their future life.
Declutter With Care and Sensitivity
Decluttering is a natural process of moving, but this process should be taken very seriously when decluttering for the elderly. A lot of things have sentimental value regardless of the frequency of use.
Instead of taking decisions for them, they need to be advised and allowed to take decisions as to whether they want to take along certain things, gift them, throw them away or donate them. This will give them a feeling of being in control and also ensure that they are able to treat their most important things with respect.
The aim is not to remove all the extra things, but only those things which are not important to them. Family photos, letters, gifts, awards, and other sentimental things must also be considered.
It is easier for them to declutter slowly over the span of few weeks than one day.
Keep Medical Needs a Top Priority
Healthcare needs must always be taken into consideration while moving a senior citizen. Prior to moving, ensure that you compile a list of the medication, healthcare needs, prescriptions, and contact information for emergency services and healthcare practitioners.
Medications need to be packed separately in a separate bag for quick accessibility and not in boxes meant for moving items. The same rule applies for items such as eye glasses, hearing aids, walking sticks, and other daily necessities of the elderly person.
In case of any regular visits to a healthcare facility, ensure that the moving process does not clash with the appointments. In case of long distance moves, research about the nearby facilities prior to reaching the destination point.
Prepare an Essentials Bag
Like all relocations, seniors need to carry an essentials bag that goes with them throughout the relocation process. The bag needs to have everything necessary while traveling and during the first day or two after settling in their new place.
It would include medicines, medical history, identification documents, mobile phone chargers, basic toiletries, an extra set of clothes, some snacks, some water, and even some of the personal belongings they like.
Some seniors might need to take their favorite book or blanket along with them, as it can make all the difference in the world on an exhausting and unfamiliar day.
This is to make sure that all necessary things are available to them without going through a number of moving boxes.
Choose Experienced Packers and Movers
Professional packers and movers can make the moving process more comfortable, particularly in cases when there are senior citizens present. Furniture, appliances, boxes, and transportation can be difficult, so it is important to let the elderly people handle these things.
Make sure that you select the moving firm with an excellent reputation, transparent price policy, and the experience of working with families who relocate to new homes.
Professional movers will handle packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and initial setting up of everything, thus letting the rest of your family members assist the senior citizen during the process.
Professional movers can save your time and energy and decrease the overall stress connected with the moving process.
Make Moving Day as Comfortable as Possible
Moving day can be hectic, loud, and tiring. Heavy furniture might be moved through the house, boxes can be piled in various rooms, and more than one person may be working at once.
Such an environment might be intimidating for senior citizens. Try to make a peaceful corner where they could stay relaxed during the moving process.
Provide them with water, food, medication, and a comfy chair. It is important to keep a calm atmosphere and inform them of the ongoing events.
In case you need to drive somewhere, try to make stops along the way. It is better to do things peacefully and calmly.
Plan the Journey Carefully
If the move includes traveling to a different city or state, then this too needs to be meticulously planned. Select the means of transport depending upon the comfort level, mobility and needs of the senior citizen, and not merely for convenience of speed alone.
Important medicines, documents, water bottles, snacks, and personal belongings need to be kept easily accessible throughout the travel time, and should never be placed inside the moving van.
In case of traveling by car, schedule suitable stoppages on the way. In case of a long trip, make sure to find rest stops as well as suitable overnight accommodation places. Planning a route in advance makes a difference when it comes to making the journey comfortable.
The moving van carrying all the belongings might come later; do not expect the essentials to be ready there and then. This is why the preparedness of a personal bag is essential.
Set Up the New Home Before They Arrive
In case you have enough time, arrange all the essentials in the new home before the arrival of the senior citizen. You may start with arranging the bedroom, bathroom, and the basics of the living area.
Put some familiar objects and furniture inside the new environment. In this way, it will become more familiar for the senior citizen.
Ensure that the bed is arranged, lights are functioning properly, and some necessities like toiletries and clothes are available. It is not necessary to unpack everything at once. What is important is that a comfortable place should be created so that the senior citizen can relax after his long trip.
In case your new house is being arranged beforehand, test all its facilities like heating system, electricity, water supply, etc.
Pay Attention to Home Safety
The safety of the elderly should be considered while designing a new house for an elderly person. Look around the new house and determine any element which might pose difficulties to daily movements of the elderly person.
Ensure that there are no boxes, wires, packing material, and other objects which obstruct passages and walking routes. Store things which are frequently needed in easily reachable locations.
Special consideration should be given to bathrooms. The bathroom floor should have anti-slip properties, it should have good lighting, and its fixtures should be easily accessible. The same should also apply to staircases and balconies.
One does not need to decorate all rooms in haste. Begin with the areas where the elderly person spends most time.
Recreate Familiar Daily Routines
One of the easiest ways to assist a senior citizen to get used to the new home is by following the usual routines. The moving process involves a change of the environment but not necessarily the schedule.
Meal times, sleep time, the medication schedule, and others should be kept as they were in the previous environment. If they loved going out for walks in the morning, reading, gardening, or interacting with the neighbours, it should be done again in the new environment.
The routine will bring some sense of stability when there is much to adapt to. Gradually the new environment will start feeling as comfortable as the old one.
Give Them Time to Adjust Emotionally
A home is not only a structure; for the elderly, a home is an embodiment of memories, family events, celebrations, and significant experiences. Parting ways with a home could be emotionally hard.
Don’t expect them to be happy right away about moving into a new home. They might miss their old neighborhood, friends, neighbors, or even the familiar environment.
Allowing them some time to speak about their memories and emotions and giving them things that are related to the memories that they have from the past might be useful.
However, at the same time, allowing them to explore the positive side of their new home will also be beneficial.
Help Them Become Familiar With the New Neighbourhood
Once they are settled at home, start introducing them slowly to the local neighborhood. Take them around the local grocery stores, pharmacies, health centers, parks, religious places depending on what suits their daily needs, among other places.
Being aware of all the locations where there are vital services will boost their confidence and sense of independence in this new environment.
In case they move into an apartment or a local community, introduce them to their neighbors and any people working in that building who might be helpful.
The main aim should be making the new place into something familiar to them.
Keep Important Contacts Easily Accessible
Following the move, ensure that the important numbers can be reached immediately. Some of them may include family members, physicians, local hospitals, pharmacies, building security, neighbours, and others.
Ensure that the important numbers are saved in the senior citizen’s mobile phone, and where applicable, a paper list is placed in an accessible place in the house.
Additionally, ensure that they are aware of the new address. This will be helpful if they have to indicate their address to their family members, emergency services, delivery personnel, and health professionals.
These few preparations can help give them added assurance following the move.
Don’t Rush the Unpacking Process
Though there may be the temptation to get everything out of the boxes at once, it is not necessary to do everything all at once. It will only add to stress.
The best way to start is with the most-used rooms in the house. After sorting out what goes in the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, work your way through the other cartons.
Whenever possible, allow the senior citizen to be in charge of the placement of his or her possessions. The familiar objects may be sorted by preference.
Relaxation stops should be taken as the move progresses.
Final Thoughts
Senior citizen house shifting needs much more than just shifting the furniture and belongings from one place to another. It is all about proper planning, patience, and consideration along with paying attention to comfort of everyday life.
Plan in advance, involve the senior citizen in decision-making, organize your belongings with care, take care of the medical needs of the person, and pack the necessary belongings separately. During the moving process, try to pay special attention to comfort of the senior citizen and let professionals do the hard work.
Once you arrive at the new place of living, try to make it as safe and convenient as possible. First of all, organize the bedroom and other important places. Try not to forget about accessibility of the most necessary belongings and slowly adapt your senior citizen to the new neighborhood.
If you need professional help to shift your elderly relative to a new place, then you should consider Sunrise Packers & Movers. We will provide you with professional packing and moving service to help you shift with minimal efforts.