Moving is never easy, but it can be particularly stressful for seniors. While this is especially true if you are moving in with a loved one or into a retirement community, there are many other reasons why seniors may want to reduce their clutter and move into a smaller home. They may be starting to live on a fixed income, have children who no longer live at home, or have health issues that make living in their current home difficult. While most seniors prefer to live in their homes (age-in-place) this may or may not be a good solution.

When a parent or senior loved one begins to have mobility issues and is no longer able to take care of themselves or maintain their home, it’s time to think about organizing their home so they can either safely age in place or move to alternative living arrangements such as Senior Retirement Communities, Assisted Living, Memory Care or in with family. This can be a traumatic and emotional process for both the person with the issue and their family members.

Many Seniors no longer have family that lives near them or are busy with their own lives. As the population ages, many of the Seniors' children have their own health issues. According to statistics, 70% of people age 65 and older will eventually need some type of long-term care.

1. Seniors Want/Need to Feel in Control of Decisions about Their Future

As you know, your loved one may face difficult life transitions. They may need to move from their current home to a new one, which can be a difficult and stressful time for them and you.

To lessen their stress and your concerns, you can make sure your loved one is involved in the moving process so they don’t feel pushed out of their home.

If your loved one can make some decisions, they will more likely feel comfortable with the move. Unfortunately, the need to move for seniors is often triggered by a change in health or the loss of a spouse. In such situations, they may not necessarily be in the right frame of mind to take total control.

An impartial third party can help you bring order to the moving process, reducing stress for you and your loved one. A senior move manager will do their best to allow the Senior to maintain control and dignity. As a result, you can focus on the more important physical and emotional needs of your loved one.

2. Seniors Need to be Emotionally Prepared for a Move

Most of us strongly desire to age at home, surrounded by familiar possessions and memories. According to AARP, 77% of those over 50 want to remain long-term in their home. Senior move managers will listen to the concerns of your aging parent and offer acceptable solutions and alternatives depending on your loved ones' home and their health.

Moving into a senior living community, a smaller home or apartment, or in with family is a huge life-changing decision for seniors and their families. The fear of downsizing and giving up treasured possessions can be overwhelming, especially if the senior has lived in their current home for many years. Senior move managers can help reduce the fear of downsizing and make a seemingly overwhelming process less daunting. Once the Senior determines it is in their best interest to move to a new place and with the help of a senior move manager, we can handle the aspects of moving, ensuring the process is smooth and hassle-free. A senior move manager can help determine what will fit in the new home and can set up and organize the new location.

3. Keep Family Conflict Down

Maintaining a stress-free move is one of the most important aspects of a successful relocation. When the stress level is high, it's easy for disagreements to arise between family members, sometimes causing irrevocable family strife. These are conflicts that don't have to happen. A third party can help to eliminate most of this.

A senior move manager can help prevent these issues by guiding your family through deciding which items to keep, donate, sell, or give to friends and family members. With their experience and as a third party, they'll provide an objective perspective and ensure everyone feels respected and heard as you go through this transition together. Remember, they have done this before.

4. Experience and Certification

The best senior move managers have experience and certifications that prepare them to connect with seniors.

We must carry general liability insurance, acquire training in ethics and safety, and provide a written contract to protect the family; their senior loved one, and the move manager. There is also a code of ethics and standard of practice that all NASMM senior move managers must follow. They have the experience of working with Seniors and the emotional trauma of moving. They have the resources to help ensure a smoother move.

5. Time, Money & Frustration

Managing all the details is one of the biggest challenges you may face during the move/downsizing process.

Suppose your family members live in different geographical regions, or you are working full time or have other family obligations. In that case, a senior move manager can save you considerable time and resources. Instead of family members making multiple flights to organize possessions, move, and organize estate sales, the senior move manager will manage these tasks. This also allows you to enjoy your loved ones when you can visit instead of disagreeing with family over the changes. We offer a comprehensive menu of pick-and-choose services. You choose those tasks which meet your needs and budget.

We are passionate about seniors and helping them. We can help with the overwhelming aspects of downsizing and can anticipate and solve some of the most common senior moving issues. We are experienced professionals who work with seniors and know how to navigate the multiple tasks and emotions associated with a senior move.

For a free, No Obligation consultation, don't hesitate to contact us at 317-862-9919 or fill out the contact information below.

You can also order our Free Spiral bound book: Moving Mom & Dad 5 Common Mistakes Adult Children of Aging Parents Make and How to Avoid Them.