Moving is stressful for anyone at any age, and can be even more when the person you’re moving is an older adult. From figuring out time to help pack up the house to knowing what items to keep and which need to be let go, moving can be a long, daunting task. Luckily, A Place for Mom provides a quick list of 5 helpful tips to consider when the time calls for relocating an older loved one.

1. Focus on one room at a time. The thought about moving an entire home can be very overwhelming. Make your life a little easier and focus on one room at a time. A Place for Mom suggests starting with the smallest or least used room in the house, then move on to the larger ones. The idea behind packing up one room at at time helps you stay motivated and gives you a sense of completion. It will seem easier and less chaotic than trying to tackle the bigger rooms first.
    
2. Ask for help. Friends and family may help moving, but in the event that they can’t, look around for those who can. Sometimes your local college students will help move for a lower price than hiring a professional moving company. Post an ad or ask your neighbors for recommendations. Hiring help relieves stress and gets packing done faster.
    
3. Focus on the positive. Leaving a home can be emotionally draining on a person, especially if they’ve lived there for a long period of their life. Let your loved one (and you) take some time to grieve the idea of leaving, but explain and focus on the positive possibilities of their new life moving forward. 
    
4. Get a head start. A Place for Mom suggests planning for a move about 6 weeks before starting. Moving can take longer than expected so it’s a good idea to prepare early and go over what room to start with, where to get boxes, what possessions should be let go and what should be kept.
    
5. Let go of what you can. It’s difficult to let go of items in a home. Take some time to sit with your loved one and discuss the items that should go and the ones that need to stay. Getting rid of clutter will help make the move a smoother process. If you feel guilty about letting certain items go, donate them to charity.
    

Source: https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/7-01-16-tips-for-moving-your-senior-parent/

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