If you have an elderly loved one that will soon be moving to a new home, helping them to make this move can be overwhelming. Not only do you need to help them pack up what they’re taking with them, but you’ll also need to help them get rid of anything they aren’t taking. And once this has been done, setting up their home can be an ordeal as well.
So to help you with all of these aspects, here are three tips for moving your elderly loved one into a new home, be it their own home or an assisted living facility.
Start Downsizing Early
For many older people, they’ve had years and years to accumulate things at home. But when they’re moving, especially if they’re moving into a smaller place, they’re likely going to have to get rid of a lot of these belongings.
When you know that a move is imminent, it’s wise to start with the downsizing as soon as possible. Let your loved one help decide what to keep and what to either sell or donate. Ideally, you should try to only keep items that will actually fit in their new home, as keeping things in storage can just add an extra cost to their monthly expenses.
Seek Out More Help Than You Think You’ll Need
Whether you’re working on packing up or are getting ready for the actual moving day, you’re going to need some extra hands to help with everything.
If you or your loved one has family and friends in the area, reach out to them and see if they could come help you. While you might not like asking for help, you’re likely going to need more help than you anticipate with each of these tasks, as packing and moving are both big jobs. If you don’t have family or friends that you can ask for help, you may need to look into hiring some help, especially with the larger items that you won’t be able to move on your own.
Set Up Their New Space Together
Although you won’t be living in this space with your elderly loved one, they’re likely going to need your help with setting up their new home.
If they’re able to, ask your elderly loved one to give you as much guidance as possible with where to put their belongings. Ideally, you should try to have their new home resemble their old home as much as possible, as this will make it easier for them to find things.
If you have an elderly loved one that’s going to be moving into a new home soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to see the best ways that you can help in this situation.