If you have elderly loved ones, it’s only natural to want them to live at home for as long as possible. For a lot of families, that means hiring a home health care provider. At some point, though, it may be necessary to move your relative into a nursing home or assisted living facility. And when that day comes, the following tips will help. 

How to Reduce Stress When Moving an Elderly Loved One

1. Enlist Help From Relatives 

If you have family in the area—or relatives who are willing to travel—ask them to help with the move. Not only will this provide a great opportunity to get together—and lessen your own load—but it will also give everyone the chance to help your loved one downsize. Instead of selling or donating possessions that won’t be making the move, you can keep them in the family. 

2. Confirm the Logistics in Advance

It’s essential to confirm the precise size and layout of your relative’s new accommodations before packing begins. If you are transitioning your loved one from home health care to a nursing home, for example, bulky furniture and larger items may not be able to make the move. It is far better to know with certainty what will and won’t fit than to pack everything up only to find that half the stuff must go back home. 

3. Stay Organized 

Staying organized is the single most effective way to streamline a big move. For example, if you’re packing everything up yourself, stick to one room at a time, and put a detailed label on every single box. Follow the same system when unpacking: Start with one room at a time, and put away all the contents of one box before opening another. Taking a seemingly overwhelming task like unpacking and breaking it into dozens of much smaller tasks will make it far more manageable. 

If your aging relative could benefit from specialized care, whether at home or at an assisted living facility, turn to Lifetime Care. Since 1960, they have been providing everything from home health care to hospice for families throughout New York’s Finger Lakes region with locations in Rochester, Newark, Dundee, Auburn, and Lakeville. Their compassionate team is committed to ensuring the comfort and happiness of each and every patient. Visit their website to learn more about the broad array of services they provide, or call (585) 214-1000 to discuss your family’s nursing or home health care needs today.