There will usually come a time when a senior relative has to move. This might be because they are downsizing to a smaller home, freeing up money and making life easier on themselves, or it might be because they are moving to a care home because they have certain needs and require some additional care. No matter what the reason for moving might be, the fact remains that this can be a stressful time with a lot to think about and do. If you are helping out, here are some of the best things you can do to ensure the move goes smoothly and that everyone is happy.
Communication
Not everyone becomes emotionally attached to a property, but many people will feel that tug of emotion, and for seniors who may have lived in one place for many decades, this can be even harder to deal with. This is why communication is so important.
If they are struggling to decide whether moving is the right choice, you can help them work out what to do. You can be their objective helper, giving them the pros and cons for moving to a care home from signature-care-homes.co.uk or finding a smaller place so that life becomes easier. Sometimes moving isn’t the answer, but often, once you look into all the reasons, it becomes clear that it’s the right thing to do.
Planning
There is a lot of planning that needs to go into a move, and this can often be an area where a senior loved one needs some additional help. To begin with, they’ll need to look at care homes or properties and choose which will work out best for them. Once they have chosen, there is yet more planning to do.
The day of the move should be planned with a high degree of accuracy, and ideally, there should be a timeline to follow that keeps everyone on top of what they are meant to be doing. However, even before this, you’ll need to plan out where the furniture will go, what will fit, what new items might be required, and so on. Plan in advance for every eventuality, and it will all be much easier to deal with for everyone.
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Declutter
Decluttering is such an important part of the moving process, and yet it’s something that can often be overlooked or entirely forgotten about. However, if someone has been living in a house for a long time (and often clutter can occur after a short time), there will be a lot to clear away.
One of the best things you can do to help a senior family member move house is to help with the decluttering. The more you can dispose of (either through throwing out, selling, or giving away), the less there is to move, which will always be a useful thing. On top of that, decluttering is a good way to get psychologically ready for the move. It’s like having a fresh start, and if you only have your most treasured possessions around you, you’ll feel more clear-headed and more focused on what you are doing.
