Moving your aging parents or grandparents into a senior home is never an easy task. Your loved ones want to continue living independently under their own roof and they certainly don’t want to part from their prized possessions. But you know what’s best, and although an emotional turmoil is inevitable, these tips will help make the transition easier for everyone involved.
Start with Communication
Showing up at your loved one’s house with a moving truck and professional movers is never going to go over smoothly. So, it’s important to approach the situation with open and honest communication.
Start the conversation as soon as possible so the both of you have enough time to process the information, sort through the senior care living details, and decide what to do with all of their belongings. Voice your concerns and listen to your loved ones’ opinions as well. If possible, involve them in the process of finding a nursing home to help them feel in control and independent. All of this will help make the transition easier.
Plan Ahead of Time to Avoid Any Discrepancies
Once you’ve decided on a nursing home and move in date, it’s time to tackle your loved one’s house. Their new living arrangements won’t be as large as their house or apartment, so planning is a necessity to ensure an efficient move.
Determine how large their new living space is, whether or not it needs to be furnished, and what restrictions the senior home has. Then, arrange a date for the moving truck and recruit family members and/or professional movers to help with the big day.
Sort Through Their Belongings Together
Most senior residences allow each senior to decorate their room to their liking. However, the space will be limited so your loved one will have to downsize significantly. Once they’ve selected the items they want in their new senior home, a decision has to be made about the abundance of items left over. This can be one of the most difficult parts of the transition, so try to involve your loved one as much as possible to ensure the right decisions are made about their prized possession.
The good news is that for any items not making the move, there’s always the option of renting a storage unit.
Pack Properly to Ensure Everything Arrives in One Piece
After downsizing drastically, your loved one will be set on having the items they’ve chosen to take to the new home. They likely have an emotional attachment or special appreciation for their selected possession and if those items arrive damaged, it’ll break their heart. So, make it a priority to pack properly to ensure everything arrives in one piece. Pick up proper packing materials and boxes, and read up on how to pack different items to ensure they arrive in one piece. You may also want to consider hiring professional packers for that extra dose of confidence.
Finish with Communication
Once your loved one is settled into their new residence, it’s crucial to take the time to finish the day with great conversation. They’re in an entirely new environment, away from the things and people they know best, and the transition can be exceptionally hard on them. So, no matter how tired you are after moving day, make some tea, sit down, and chat.
It’s also recommended that you make it a priority to visit them or call them more often during the first couple of weeks to ensure a positive transition.
Moving is an emotional and physically-demanding task as it is; moving an aging loved on into a senior home is even more so. However, with the proper tips, you can make the transition easier on everyone involved.
