Moving an Aging Parent to Another State
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Willing Party
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Talk at length with your parent about the benefits of moving and the new opportunities he'll have in his new home. Be sure that wherever he's moving will have an abundance of senior resources in place to help him get--and stay--adjusted to his new community. Older people can sometimes be resistant to major change, and with good reason: After many years, it can be hard to start over completely in a new place. Therefore, it is imperative that he is willing to make the move and try to rebuild a life somewhere else.
Voice
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If your aging mother will be living with you, give her a say in the house in which you all will live or in the community you will move to. Moving anywhere indicates a certain loss of control. Giving her a vote in the place you'll live gives her back some semblance of control in her life, which is very important to aging parents.
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Excitement
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The best way to get anyone excited about a move is to play it up in the most positive way possible. Show your dad pictures of his new community and home. Go online and look up senior activities in the area and suggest he get involved once the move is complete. Plan a trip to tour the new region once the move is done and everyone's settled. These kinds of positive, upbeat activities will help generate some excitement and anticipation about the move.
Packing
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Aging parents spend a lifetime accumulating the valuables they have. Respect that. If you're packing and moving your mother's things, do so with care. If you're hiring a moving company, be sure to communicate that they'll be moving the belongings of an aging parent who may be more sensitive to broken or misplaced items than the average person.
Comfort
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Choose the most comfortable mode of travel possible for your parent as you make the journey to his new home. If your destination is far, this likely means an airplane trip versus a long car ride. Older people tend to enjoy long rides more, but long car rides can be more physically taxing than traveling by plane or even bus. Whatever mode of travel you choose, be sure there's access to a bathroom and regular meals to ensure that your dad is comfortable and well taken care of.
Friends
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Encourage your parent to make friends. Get her involved in some of the local activities. If she seems hesitant, offer to participate with her at first. Getting involved in the community, particularly through a senior services program, is the best way for aging parents to feel a connection to a new home.
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