As we age, the homes we’ve spent our entire lives in can become less ideal. The place that was once comfortable may now be difficult to navigate for elderly family members or too expensive to maintain, especially if it used to house a large family and now seems too big for the remaining occupant(s) after loved ones have moved out or passed away. Regardless of the reason for deciding to relocate as a senior, working with a moving company in Wichita, KS, can make the process significantly easier for all parties involved. Rightsize Moving Solutions can help your aging relatives downsize to a smaller home, move in with family or relocate to an assisted living facility as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Finding a New Place For Seniors
A new home depends on the family’s dynamics and financial situation as well as the complexity of the seniors’ needs. Having seniors move in with their younger relatives can be a an effective option if everyone agrees to share the costs and if the home is big enough for everybody to have some personal space to retreat to for privacy. However, family dynamics can be complicated, and if the relationships among members have a shaky history, residing in the same household may exacerbate problems. On the other hand, relocating elderly relatives to live on their own in a smaller house can work if they are still capable of living independently.
Distance is an obstacle for children who need to check on their aging parents regularly. And if neither living on their own nor moving in with relatives seems feasible for the seniors, and if the family has the financial means necessary, nursing homes and other assisted living facilities are an option. If you choose this route, communicate with the seniors to make sure they have a positive outlook and don’t associate living at a facility with abandonment from family. Contentment with the place of relocation is essential for a smooth transition and successful move.
Rightsizing A Parent’s Home
Whether the senior will be relocating to a new place, a family member’s home, or a facility, chances are they will have to get rid of some of their belongings to adjust to a shared or smaller living space. Objects that have not been used, looked at or repaired in several months or years are probably best left behind. Consider donating items that function well and, although beloved, will not fit comfortably in the new home. Knowing somebody will put them to use and be grateful for them can make letting go easier.
Another important part of rightsizing is measuring room, closet and cabinet dimensions to make sure everything you plan to take will fit. Sit down with movers in Wichita to plan these details and create a visual model of how furniture and other belongings would be distributed in the new space.
Offering Emotional Support
The first steps toward the successful relocation of a senior are communication and choice. Seniors can be emotionally attached to their current home and apprehensive about leaving it, so it is important for their adult children to give them enough time to consider the possibilities and grieve the change. Besides leaving behind possessions, a frequent cause of distress for moving seniors is their perceived loss of control, so try to give your loved one as much choice as possible while planning the details of the move. Encourage siblings and other close family members to take a couple of days off and take turns accompanying and assisting the seniors during the planning and execution of the relocation. This can provide support and encouragement to ease the emotional stress of moving.
Working With Senior Moving Experts
Senior moving management is one of the many services offered by Rightsize Moving Solutions. With several certifications from organizations that specialize in senior relocation, our Wichita movers have experience and training that allows them to understand the emotional and physical challenges of moving as a senior and the skills required to assist your family. Call us if you need help during any step of the relocation process!