Moving is exhausting, both physically and emotionally, at any age. Many older adults have lived in their homes for decades. It’s often where they raised a family. For older adults, selling a house and giving it up can trigger grief and sadness. Relocating can also cause anxiety.

Even when a senior is excited to move to a retirement community and start a new chapter in life, anxiety can make the process stressful. As moving day gets closer, a senior may find themselves struggling. Psychologists call this phenomenon relocation stress syndrome (RSS).

What can you do to help a senior loved one manage their pre-move anxiety?

We’ve put together a few tips that may be of help.

Helping a Senior Make an Easier Transition to Senior Living

1.  Include the senior in decisions and planning.

If you are a sandwich-generation caregiver who is busy juggling your family’s needs with those of an aging parent, time might be in short supply. It may seem easier to make decisions on your own, rather than slowing down to review things with your parent.

Unless they have memory loss or a health condition that makes it tough for them to play an active role in the move, try to include your senior loved one in the process. Find a healthy balance between overwhelming the senior with unimportant little details and including them in vital decisions.

2.  Use kind language and demonstrate empathy.

The process of downsizing can be fraught with tension. Deciding what to keep, what to donate to charity, and what to get rid of can cause friction between the generations. Remember, what might look like old junk to you may be something your senior loved one has a sentimental attachment to. Be kind and respectful.

It usually helps to work with the sales team or move-in coordinator to create a floor plan for where furniture and belongings will be located in each room. Then you can go about finding new homes for those items that won’t fit in their retirement community apartment or villa.

3.  Plan ahead for the day of the move.

Moving day can be especially anxious for a senior. Watching the family home being packed up and loaded into a moving van isn’t easy. That’s why having a plan for moving day is vital. Unless your aging loved one needs to be there, have another family member or friend take them out to lunch before bringing them to the senior living community.

Pre-pack a suitcase with medications, toiletries, personal care items, and other necessities. Also assemble a supply box. Fill it with those items you might need immediately after the move, like the coffee pot and coffee, snacks, towels, washcloths, and trash bags. Take both the suitcase and the box with you in your car instead of sending it with the movers.

4.  Try to maintain a sense of humor.

Despite your best efforts, things will go wrong during and after the move. Try to maintain a sense of humor and encourage your older family member to as well. Laugh off the small stuff and rely on the community’s staff to help you resolve the bigger challenges.

If you’ve carefully researched senior communities, the decision you’ve made is probably a sound one. It will just take time to settle in.

Care Advisors Help Seniors and Families for Free

One way to feel confident about your decision is to work with an experienced senior care advisor. Ours have in-depth knowledge of the communities nearest to you. Call 800-304-8061 for free guidance today!

 

Photo by Thomas Summer on Unsplash