Having trouble planning your loved one’s move? Don’t worry, it’s common to be stressed when helping your parents downsize. The moving process can be long and complicated, causing you and your loved one frustration.The Pavilion Senior Living wants to help make your transition to a quality senior care community as smooth as possible. Here are a few downsizing tips for seniors to keep in mind when starting the journey to living in a senior living community.
Start Early
As you’ve heard before, procrastination is never the best way to get something done. When helping your loved one move, it’s best to start the process early. If you plan that moving everything is going to take a week, you should account for an extra week or two for any unforeseen circumstances such as items that need to be sold or time to take belongings to a secondhand store.
After planning a timeline of how long it will take your loved one to move, you will need to start the process. When selecting the belongings, be sure to visit one room at a time. Taking things from multiple rooms can cause confusion and give you an unclear picture of how much progress you’ve made. By visiting one room at a time, you’ll be able to visualize what’s done and what’s not. If you’re still unsure on what to do during this step, there are detailed guides with step-by-step directions on how to get started.
Consider Your Options
Depending on your loved one’s situation, there are several options to consider when looking for a new place to call home. Many seniors have health conditions that limit their opportunity to be on the second floor of a building. They may also need a wheelchair accessible living space. Make sure to keep this in the forefront of your mind when selecting a place to live with your loved one.
With the variety of options offered at The Pavilion, we’re sure that you’ll find a space with services that are perfect for your loved one. Some of the living arrangements that our community offers for seniors are:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Skilled nursing programs
- Memory care programs
- Rehabilitation
- Respite Care
Asking for Help
Although many people shy away from asking for help, it’s not a bad thing to do. Moving is a stressful process and having friends and family help your loved one can expedite the process. Many seniors have trouble downsizing because they are physically unable to do a lot of the heavy lifting that’s involved with the bigger furniture. Try to see if a family member, neighbor, or friend can help your loved one do some of the more difficult tasks.
Another way that you can receive help is to contact a professional. Some companies specialize in helping seniors move their belongings, pay bills, and complete paperwork that is associated with downsizing. If you’re too busy to do all of the required steps in the moving process, a professional can step in and make your life much more comfortable. You can learn more about professional movers by going to the National Association of Senior Move Managers website.
Final Thoughts
Typically, people are more emotional stressed and tense when moving. Consider that your loved one is making the most significant change in their life and they can be afflicted. Be sure to always to be supportive of your loved one and be there for them when they are feeling uncertain. Having someone to talk to can make your loved one feel like they are cared for and that everything will work out according to plan.
We hope that you enjoy the tips we have provided, and we wish you the best of luck in your move!
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