When It's Time to Move Aging Parents | Elder Options of Texas

For most people, aging brings a new set of challenges. New health problems may affect your ability to live independently, financial challenges make it tougher to maintain your lifestyle and adult children moving to faraway places may make you feel less connected to your home.

Some people move every few years or even more frequently, while others remain rooted in the same location for decades. But for many people, there comes a time in old age when it becomes necessary to move.

While relocating is never easy, moving as a senior carries its own difficulties. If you or a loved one is moving into an assisted living or memory care facility due to declining health, the very reason for the move will likely make the process even more difficult. A lifetime of accumulated possessions might be squirreled away in your home. And if the move is due to financial stress, moving itself can be expensive.

There are many ways to make a move go more smoothly. Knowing when to move, making the right choices about having a family member move in with you and doing a little advanced planning for a new home and reducing the load beforehand can significantly reduce the stress involved.

Many seniors have lived in their homes for years. Moving can be very difficult for seniors as they have many years of memories, they feel safe, comfortable and secure.

Moving is one of the most difficult transitions and very upsetting. Why senior's often need to move:

Seniors move due to the fact it is too much maintenance and attention or the home is too large since the children are grown and gone or their spouse has passed.

Personal safety is an issue for seniors living alone.

Social isolation is a factor as we get older as many family and friends have passed away.

Health concerns are a huge factor - the need to move closer to family or their doctors.

Here are a few solutions to help your senior parent(s) overcome their moving struggles or concerns:

(1) Conquer the fear of the unknown by encouraging questions, Discuss their concerns on a regular basis. Encourage them to write down their new living arrangements - helps with the process. Consulting a Senior/Transition Moving Service can help with the downsizing, organizing, packing, unpacking and setting up their new home or Apt. (worth every penny!) Possibly have an Estate Sale after move in of new community.

(2) Provide pictures and room layouts so they can start imaging themselves living in their new environment. This helps with apprehension about moving.

(3) When moving into a senior community or apt, usually the Program Director will invite your loved one(s) to visit before their move and get to meet the current residents or new residents who will be moving into their new apt or home.

(4) Check out Senior Centers near their new community to explore their programs and meet new people - especially for those that are moving to a location where there are no activities provided - such as senior living apartments.

These are just a few tips to help your loved one(s) handle the difficult emotions they will be going through during their move - Be there for your loved one(s) or friends - just being their "sounding board" and easing their mind will make the transition a Success!

Moving Your Elderly Loved One

Helping Elderly Parents Transition