How to Move Elderly Parents Out of the Home

Elderly parents may need emotional and physical support when moving.

Elderly parents may need to be moved out of their home because of illness, loneliness, need for more comfort or other complications. When moving elderly parents, whether into a different home or a nursing home, it is important to help them feel comfortable and supported. When you move parents out of their home, they may need your help packing, moving, getting finances in order and getting to know the new people in their area.

Things You'll Need

• Packing supplies

Instructions

1. Arrange for your elderly parents' new home. Whether it is a nursing home, a different house, or your own home, it is important to set up the legalities for them so they can feel comfortable.

2. Go to your elderly parents' home with packing materials and help them carefully pack their valuables. Avoid any pressures about what they should and shouldn't keep, "stuff" can be thrown out later if this is a hard time.

3. Ask about or encourage a meaningful farewell from their previous home. Celebrating the good times spent in the home is a good way to move on to a new home.

4. Help your elderly parents unpack and arrange the new room or home. It may be helpful to provide a familiar environment, such as setting up their new bedroom or bathroom the way it looked in their old home.

5. Contact the staff of the assisted living home or your parents' new neighbors and set up a meeting. You parents may feel more comfortable if they know who they are living around.

References

• A Place For Mom: moving seniors and elderly