A lot of retirees want to live their remaining years more comfortably. They usually want to live in a home located in a community that is more laidback and suitable for their lifestyle, away from the noise and buzz of the city.
A number of retirees, on the other hand, choose to move because they find running and maintaining their current home difficult due to its size. Because of this, they will be relocating to a smaller house or apartment.
Lastly, many seniors move to a nursing home or assisted facility because they can no longer handle the various activities of daily living on their own. Leaving them on their own, therefore, is not safe or advisable.
Also read – Preparing Your Move This 2019 Tips
Assisting seniors with their move
Although your aging parents may have the best intentions for moving, the whole process will be challenging not only for them but for everyone as well.
Finding and hiring a reputable packing and moving company to assist in your parent’s relocation is a good start to help make the move successful and less stressful for everyone.
Below are other ways you can help your elderly parents as they go through the whole moving process:
#1. Get the whole family on board
No matter how much time is left before the big move, set a meeting with your parents and all the members of your family. Create a moving plan so that your parents will be ready for the actual move.
During this meeting, let your parents make important decisions and decide on a plan of action. However, take care of the smaller details such as designating certain tasks to other family members and with transferring the utilities.
Keep in mind that your parents will be dealing with the emotional part of moving and, as such, you may have to take care of all practical concerns.
#2. Get a floor plan of their new place
Regardless of where your parents will be moving, help them streamline the packing and moving process by getting a copy of their new home’s floor plan. This is something that you have to prioritize if you haven’t been to their new home yet.
With this layout, you will know how many rooms the new place has. Make sure the layout contains how much square footage each room has and the available storage space as well.
When you have these details, you and your parents can carefully consider what possessions will fit in the new home and how much can be kept. This will make the whole purging and packing process easier and less time-consuming.
#3. Encourage your parents to start small and early
Although everyone will be helping out in the packing stage, your parents should still have control over the whole process. As such, encourage them to prepare as soon as possible.
Give them a list of things to do every day. However, make sure these are chores they can do within 30 minutes. Don’t pressure them to spend too much time doing them.
You can help make the process of packing easier for your parents by asking them to begin packing a room that does not hold too much sentimental value. The kitchen and bathroom are usually good places to start.
#4. Help your parents sort
Since your parents have lived longer than you, they will likely have more possessions that they have amassed over the years. Be patient and gentle as you help them declutter and downsize.
As you help your parents pack, ask them if they use the item. If not, ask them if they want to sell, give it away, or donate it.
In case they can’t let go of something but their new home can’t accommodate it, suggest keeping it temporarily. Ask the other family members to keep the other things your parents can’t give away as well.
Keep in mind that it is important that your parents have enough time to go through their more “personal” possessions, so avoid rushing them when they are packing their bedroom or the attic.
#5. Let them keep what they want to keep
Although you may not understand why your father wants to pack the table football he hasn’t played in years, this item clearly means something to him. As such, let him bring the item to their new place.
However, your parents need to know that they will have to make some hard choices especially when it comes to furniture, appliances, and other bigger items. Aside from offering to keep some items, recommend renting a self-storage unit in the meantime.
#6. Help them prepare for moving day
Lastly, before the big day, check that your parents have prepared an “essentials” box or bag. This should contain some clothes, toiletries, towels, bedding, salves, and other items they need for their first night in their new home. Make sure they place their medicines in this box or bag as well.
With these items on hand, your parents won’t need to spend their first day or night in their new home rummaging through boxes.
Lastly, throw a small farewell party for your parents. Invite everyone in your family and their close friends. Make sure your parents get the chance to say their goodbyes properly to everyone they will be leaving behind.
On the actual moving day, make sure you are there for your parents. Assist them in any way you can and handle the physically taxing and more complicated details of the move.
More importantly, keep reminding them that even if they will be living far from you, they can always count on you for anything they need.
Author Bio: Craig Jones is the Managing Director at Aussiemove, Australia’s largest independent moving alliance. Craig is a respected member of the removalist network in Australia, having served in senior positions, including the President of the removal industries governing body, the Australian Furniture Removals Association (AFRA). With 23 years of experience at Aussiemove, he has the skills and the highly trained team to move families safely and reliably, in Adelaide, across Australia and around the world.