When Its Time To Move Your Parents To A New Home

Its a time that we as children have considered for sometime, maybe even decades. Its a time you have not looked forward to and neither have your parents, now the time is here. Its time to move our mom or dad or even both into a elderly care facility. This can be a very difficult time for all involved but with a little planning and preparation, moving your parents out of their home may be exciting and rewarding instead of a time of dread for everyone involved.

As you have grown older you have watched your parents age too. However, as the years have gone by, you’ve noticed that your parents home and possessions are exactly the same as they were 20 or 30 years ago. Lets face it, senior like things to stay the same, change is the enemy. Changing the style or even the brand of their clothes can cause a real argument. Your mother’s glasses were out of style 20 years ago but thats the style she wants to keep. Its at times frustrating but its important that your see the world through as they do if you want to make their move smooth and easy. Resist the temptation to get them new clothes and furniture in their new home. Yes, I know, you think the move is a new beginning for them, but they don’t. Move as much of their old furniture and belongings to the new house as you can. I know you might be sick of looking at it but the more the new place can look like the old on the day your parents move it, the easier the transition, the less your parents will feel that they are in strange place. Instead it will appear more like a smaller version of their old home.

You can also ease the anxiety of the move by recognizing and not ignoring the decades of memories your parents are leaving in their old home. Many just rush out and close the door and not give the seniors a chance to mourn the loss of their old home they have become so accustomed to and has been such a big part of their life. Instead consider having a few of your parents friends and family over to commemorate the home and allow your parents to say goodbye. Keep the mood festive. Not like a funeral but more a celebration of the home and how well it provided for all and how it will continue to do so for the next family. I think you will find your parents will feel that a proper respect had been paid to the home that they are so attached to.

Finally, one of the most important things you can do is provide good old elbow grease. Your parents may insist on helping pack up and move as it their things but this will only add to the anxiety. Get some help, even some professional help to do the heavy lifting but allow your parents to be involved if they want. Let them see the process so they can be comforted that their things are being taken care of.

No one looks forward to moving seniors to a senior facility, not you and certainly not your loved ones. However, if you think about what it is exactly that makes it so difficult for your parents, you can soften some of the edges and make a difficult situation into something that is exciting and just maybe, enjoyable.

Its difficult to find the right senior living place for your loved one. Let us help at Caring Senior Placement. We act as your guide to find just the right home and there is never a fee! Learn more at www.caringseniorplacement.com.