Helping a Senior Parent Move Into a New Home
Guest post by Michael Longsdon
Life gets tricky as we get older. No matter how many people you talk to, how many books you read, or how many movies you watch, nothing prepares you for caring for an aging parent. Whether your loved one is being moved into assisted living, is coping with dementia, or is simply trying to declutter and downsize, helping a senior parent move into a new home is inevitable for most adult children.
The emotional process of downsizing
When a loved one is suddenly in a situation where they must leave a home where they’ve spent most of their life and/or get rid of their beloved belongings, it can understandably be an emotional process for everyone involved. One senior told The New York Times that downsizing is “an emotional roller coaster that takes a toll on you. It’s very tiring.”
Although it is difficult to watch your loved one struggle through this process, the silver lining is that there are many things adult children can do to help make the move as simple as possible. One thing that can help immensely is hiring a professional moving company.
Use professionals for the heavy lifting
Why hire a professional moving crew instead of just doing it yourself? Because professional movers can do all of the heavy lifting for you. They’ll move your loved one’s heavy boxes and furniture, allowing you both to avoid any health or safety risks for yourself. This is especially beneficial if your senior parent or loved one has limited mobility, Alzheimer’s or certain health conditions which make them prone to injury. For seniors with these conditions, moving can be a genuine health and safety risk.
Movers also take the mental and emotional edge off the move. If younger adults get stressed about moving, just imagine how difficult it must be for seniors who have accumulated a lifetime’s worth of stuff over the past several decades. This can be a huge barrier for many people. Having a third party crew to help with packing, lifting and transporting can ease the mind. Check out local movers than can help make the moving process as stress free as possible.
After doing some research and finding the right moving company for your parent, you should take special steps to proactively communicate with your movers. Clear communication ahead of time can help reduce your chances of accidents, injuries, damages or other moving day disasters.
Like taking a long road trip, be prepared
You’ll also want to make sure any necessary medical supplies and moving equipment are easily accessible throughout the move. This includes having a first aid kit handy and within easy reach, just in case any accidents occur.
If your loved one is on site during the move, you should also remember to bring any necessary medications, a walker or other mobility device (if needed), or any other items that they might need throughout the day. You don’t want the added stress of your loved one injuring themselves or missing a medication dosage due to their moving day.
As you can tell, professional moving companies can handle some of the most dreaded and difficult aspects of a moving day. By lifting boxes, moving furniture, and driving the moving truck for you, movers can literally take a weight off your shoulders. This frees up your time and energy to focus on what’s most important during any move: the well-being of your loved one.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay by stux
Authors Bio
Michael Longsdon is the creator of ElderFreedom.net, which advocates for the rights and support of seniors.
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