6 Tips for Helping Your Elderly Parents Move House

It can be challenging to leave a house full of memories. As a result, you must think of ways to make the transition easier to bear. However, things can get a bit more complicated when it comes to making the transition for the elderly. Fortunately, helping your elderly parents move house can be a smooth experience if you follow some easy steps. So if you need to help your parents downsize, move to an assisted living community, or your home, here are some tips to help you plan better.

1. Make decisions together
When the time comes to relocate, talk with your parents about all the alternatives available. Find out what they think about care and stand-alone houses, as well as moving in with you. Make them part of the process and outline all the steps with them. Ensure they understand each step and are ready to take it. After all, they must first want to relocate and have the time to do so. 

When all of you agree that moving is the best option, you can begin planning the details. For instance, start looking for neighborhoods for the elderly together. Your  parents need to live in a community where they can integrate, feel safe, and stay active. Also, they need to have all the necessary amenities as close as possible. Therefore, look together for neighborhoods with a hospital, shops, parks, bus stations, and whatever else your parents need. That way, you will ensure they have an easy and happy life following the move. At the same time, they will have something to look forward to before the move. 

In the end, you will see that having open talks with your parents about the relocation will only be beneficial. You will guarantee that everyone is on the same page and understands that relocation is the best choice. Furthermore, your discussions will make the whole process less stressful and easier to handle.

2. Create a detailed plan for the move.
When helping your elderly parents move house, you must plan meticulously. Moving is a difficult change, and you need to make it as smooth as possible. Therefore, a plan can help your parents have an easy transition to their new home. First, you can set the date and time of the relocation. Then, organize the steps you need to take between now and moving day. For example, decide when and what you will pack, what car you will use, and which road you will take. Plan the meals for the day before and the day of the relocation. If you need to travel for more than a day, look for accommodation for the number of nights necessary. In short, consider all the tasks you need to do before the big day, and you will make the relocation easier for everyone. 

3. Don't forget the essentials
Before you move your parents to their new home, there are a few things you must arrange. First, notify the neighbors that your parents will be leaving and provide a contact number. Second, update the mailing address and inform relevant institutions. Banks, utility providers, local authorities, and insurers are some examples of such institutions. Third, talk to your parent's doctor and ask for a referral for a new doctor. Also, transfer their medical files and prescriptions. Doing all these tasks will allow your parents to have an easier relocation. And if everything is in order before they move in, they can concentrate better on settling in and nothing else.

4. Sort and organize their belongings
Moving your parents will probably require some downsizing. As a result, you should walk through the whole house and make an inventory of their belongings. Then you can sort them into categories and decide what to do with them. You can make boxes with labels on them to make sorting easier. You can, for example, make containers for items to keep, donate, or throw away. However, don't let your or your parents' feelings overwhelm you too much when it comes to sorting. Even though there might be items that you are emotionally attached to, not all of them are worth keeping. At the same time, remember that what may seem insignificant to you may be a priceless memory for your parents. So let them keep some of the items they love, especially if they don't take up too much space. Or deposit them in a storage unit for safekeeping. 

5. Get help with the move
During the relocation of your elderly parents, you might need some help. All of the planning and tasks can be a bit too much for just you and your spouse. As a result, get the whole family involved. Call your siblings and other relatives that can help, and work as a team. If needed, you can also call friends that are willing to help. Yet, ensure that you let everyone know in time that you will need their help. That way, they can plan the days or weekends when they can come and help with packing, sorting, or whatever else you need.

However, if it's hard to find help amongst friends and family, you can hire a moving company. You can research which ones are the best in your area and ask for quotations. Besides that, you can read reviews and see what other people think of a company's services. That can help you spot unprofessional companies and stay away from scams. So, if you come across a company with only vague and positive reviews, you might recognize fake moving reviews and avoid them. Instead, ask for recommendations from family and friends that have used moving services to make the final choice.

6. Prepare the new home
One of the main concerns while helping your elderly parents move house is their safety. As a result, before you relocate them to their new home, ensure you set it up. For instance, make all the necessary renovations, such as making the bathroom more senior-friendly. Also, decorate the place to make it feel comfortable and familiar. Use some old pictures and items that they love to help them accommodate faster. Your loved ones should have a much smoother transition if you carefully prepare the new house for them.

Final words on helping your elderly parents move house
Moving the elderly can be a difficult task. However, if you use these tips, you can make the transition a lot easier. Pay attention to your parents' needs, listen to their concerns, and work together on a plan. That way, you will avoid creating trauma.