Moving Your Parents

Moving your parents is an emotional and draining time. Whether the move is a planned and willing one, or you have to make hard choices to transition your parents to the next stage of their life against their will, you need to be prepared, both mentally and otherwise, to get through this time successfully.

Making Plans

The first step is research and making plans. It can be especially challenging to try to decide what is best, where your parents should go, etc. when they are beyond the point of making decisions for themselves. You will have more peace of mind, and they will ultimately be more comfortable if you have conversations about wishes and desired locations beforehand. There are many options for aging parents, and resigning themselves to an 'old folks home' does not have to be one of them. There are lots of active senior communities that are filled with activities while still have options for assisted living and nursing home care.

Downsizing

It is very likely that your parents have had most of their items for many, many years. Figure out what they absolutely want to have in their new home, what they would like to get rid of, and what they want to keep in the family. If the list of what they would like to keep is very large, then you can always look into storage options. You do not have to let their items bury you in your own home. Sometimes it is fun for your parents to go and get 'right-size' pieces that will fit better in their new apartment and get them a little excited about the move.

Packing

It's important to take extra care when packing your parents. Older adults can and do become very disoriented when they can't find their belongings. Label boxes clearly with large labels, and keep like items together. Make sure you keep out crucial items such as medications and clothing for a couple of days while they get situated. Many items that your parents have are fragile or older, so need better care while moving. Make sure you pad your boxes properly. You can check out our eBook on How to Pack Fine China for tips on how to pack the most fragile items.

Moving

On the day of the move, try to keep your parents occupied with something fun. It's usually best to have movers or maybe some spry grandkids help with the actual move. It can be traumatic for your parents to see their items removed from their long-term home and transported. Take them out for a nice lunch and show up once everything is moved over.

Creating a New Home

Encourage your parents to get their home set up as quickly as possible. Put out mementos and photos right away to cheer them up. Get the activities calendar and find out which activities your parents are interested in. Call them on the day of and remind them of the activity. It can take awhile for your parents to get acclimated, but it is worth it when they do.

Moving your parents is emotional for them and for you. Stay organized, positive and calm and you will all be happy with the end result.