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By Chelsea Ford 14 Feb, 2021
Tips For Having a No-Contact Move During COVID-19 1) Phone Consultations and Virtual Tours We understand that 2020 has been difficult to plan just about anything, but planning your move can be easy! When you call your moving company, ask if they do virtual consultations or quotes. This will ensure you receive an accurate quote for your move while maintaining social distancing. 2) Packaging and Moving Supplies If you require moving boxes, bubble wrap, tape, or other moving materials, order ahead and arrange with your moving company to do curb-side pick up/drop off. This would be much safer than going into a facility yourself, and would allow a trusted moving company to prepare all your supplies in advance. 3) Packing If you are hiring a trusted moving company for packing as well, do your best to have a well drawn-out plan with instructions to give your packers. Having a plan will limit your person-to-person contact. Alternatively, you can do a virtual tour with the company, showing them what rooms or items you need packed. Also, do not forget to wear your mask, as the packers will be wearing theirs, too! 4 ) Moving Day Moving day has arrived! While the movers are loading and unloading your items, be sure to keep a 6 foot distance while wearing your mask. You can safely show them where to place the items while keeping your distance. If you are moving into a small apartment where social distancing is not possible, it may be best to write out a floor plan for where you want the large pieces of furniture to go. Also be sure to label each of your boxes, so they can be brought to the correct room in your new house! Conclusion Covid-19 can be scary, and moving is often quite stressful. Do your best to remain calm and speak to your moving company about their specific Covid-19 protocols and any concerns you may have. They can offer comfort and insight to put your mind at ease during these trying times.
By Chelsea Ford 14 Feb, 2021
6 Tips to Help a Senior Manage Moving Anxiety ο»Ώ Everyone knows how stressful moving can be. Packing someone's whole life in boxes, leaving memories behind, cleaning out all the rooms, arranging countless fine details – it can be very challenging. Moving can take a physical and emotional toll on anyone, especially an elderly loved one. If you are moving a senior to an assisted living facility, recognizing and understanding the emotional roller-coaster they will experience is key to helping them overcome the struggle. Along with the following tips, consider hiring a reputable Senior Move Management Company to assist you with your move. They will take the stress out of moving so you can focus on supporting your elderly loved ones. Here are a few more ways to help lower moving anxiety! 1) Focus on the positive Moving doesn’t have to be a bad thing! Moving can actually be very exciting and offer many benefits. It can be a huge relief to start fresh in a home with less maintenance to worry about. Do your best to remind your loved ones of these benefits and get excited with them. Don’t be afraid to laugh things off. Humor is the remedy to frustration. 2) Discuss the decisions Its important to include your loved ones in the decision making process. Allow them to maintain their sense of control and independence. The only scenario where you can’t fully include them in this process is if they have a health condition which impairs their judgment and limits their ability to participate. Otherwise, trust their judgment and do your best to find a balance between including them, without overwhelming them. When deciding on a facility, make sure it is close and convenient for you and other family members to make regular visits. If your beloved senior is simply downsizing, finding the right neighborhood is crucial to their happiness and satisfaction. Would they prefer a bustling neighborhood with lots of activities or would they prefer a more serene environment? Consider the distance to medical facilities, grocery stores, banks, and other necessities. These are all important factors to discuss together. 3) Make compromises Be prepared to make compromises while downsizing. Packing up an entire home often leads to a few disagreements. This mostly happens while decluttering. Something that you deem unnecessary could be of immense sentimental value to your loved one. To relieve some of the pressure caused by downsizing, consider renting a storage unit until you’ve decided what to do with the remaining items. 4) Be prepared Preparing for a big move can be stressful for everyone. Creating a moving day checklist well in advance will significantly ease the negative feelings. Allow for enough time to complete your move and remember to stay organized. Packing is a process that requires a systematic approach. Make sure you have enough quality moving supplies and label all the boxes. Pack carefully to ensure that nothing breaks during transit. Prior to moving day, remember to pack three different bags or boxes to keep with you for easy access during your move; Personal care box, which should include medications, personal hygiene items, etc. An essentials box with items needed on a moving day – coffee, tea, some snacks, towel, cloth, etc. Also, include things necessary for the first night in the new place, such as pajamas, pillows and blankets. All valuables and crucial documents need to be set aside, packed carefully, and kept close to you on a moving day. 5) Let them know you’re there for them To help a senior manage moving anxiety listen actively to their concerns. Allow them to speak freely. They might feel scared, confused, sad, nervous, or even agitated. Be open to their questions, be patient and let them know you are there to support them however they need. Don't just tell them that everything will be okay - talk them through every step of the process, and address each obstacle or concern. Make time for them. Evoke happy memories from the past to make them smile and feel more at ease. 6) Keep them busy Get their mind off the big move! Spend time together. Get outside for some fresh air and Vitamin D. If they are mobile, go for a short walk. Exercise will have a positive impact on their physical health as well as their mental wellbeing. Conclusion Its normal to feel overwhelmed and worry that something may have slipped your mind; do your best to stay organized, use online resources, and consider hiring a Senior Move Management company to assist you. Remember to keep a positive mindset, stay organized and be supportive of your loved one to help manage the anxiety that comes along with relocating. We hope you can use all of these tips to help your loved one manage their moving anxiety!
By Chelsea Ford 14 Feb, 2021
8 Steps To Ease The Transition to Long Term Care All factors have been considered and the difficult decision has been made. It is time to help your elderly parent/s move into a reputable long term care facility. You want to keep the stress to a minimum and make this transition as smooth as possible. Below are some important steps to consider when moving your elderly parent/s. 1) Involve your loved one as much as possible. It is so important to ensure that your elderly parents feel understood and their feelings validated throughout this transition. Involve them as much as possible in the decision making process. Maybe they have an idea of where they would like to live, or they have a valuable item they want to bring. Offer to escort them to various homes so they can get an idea of what they like and dislike. Ensure they feel comfortable with these discussions by presenting them optimistically through someone they trust. Remember to highlight the positives, and offer compassion and validation to any negative feelings. 2) Provide the senior with an opportunity to ask questions and discuss his or her concerns. Create a safe and comfortable environment where they can openly discuss their concerns. This will be a life changing event for them in which they may feel worried, angry or sad. Ensure they feel supported and able to express these feelings and concerns openly. This will give you all an opportunity to work through these negative feelings and enable you to move in a more positive direction! 3) Safeguard the senior’s personal possessions and get help From Senior Move Managers. These services will help tremendously with the downsizing process. Senior Move Managers are trained experts in handling the impact of a transition such as this. They can help navigate through negative emotions and anxiety by listening to concerns, downsizing appropriately, and carefully packing and moving your loved ones belongings to the new facility. This will take a lot of pressure off of you, so you can focus on your loved one. 4) Be present during this transition. Please remember that this process can be very emotional for your elderly loved ones. It is important for them to feel loved and supported by family. Do your best to be present during this transition as much as possible so your loved one doesn’t feel alone. 5) Honor the individual’s preferences and allow him or her to maintain control. A common issue with these transitions is the feeling of a loss of control and individuality. Keep the senior informed throughout the planning process, and allow them to make decisions. Involve your loved one in setting up their new home! Maybe they have a favorite picture they’d like hung, or they’d like to have a room with a large window. Validate these desires and do your best to accommodate them. This is their new home after all! 6) Pay attention to details and maintain the senior’s daily routine as much as possible. Ensure that there is consistency with meal times and medication administration. Maybe they like to read the newspaper with their breakfast. This sense of normalcy can help the transition go much more smoothly. Also involve your loved one in some activities around the facility. Bingo, cards, and music activities are common ones! They’re a great way to socialize, boost morale and combat loneliness and depression. 7) Make the new home resemble (as much as possible) the old home. You want to make sure it feels like home. Ask your loved ones how they would like to decorate. Do they want their bed made the same way as it was before? Maybe they would like their nightstand to have the same lamp and candles. This is their new home, do your best to make sure it feels like it! 8) Help the resident become acclimated. You can go on tours with your loved one around the facility. Find out if there is a welcome committee to show you around and introduce you to some friendly faces. As stated above, get them involved in some fun activities! Do your best to be involved during the first few meetings so your loved one feels comfortable and at ease. In summary, just make sure your loved one feels comfortable and validated. Hire a Seniors Move Management company so they can take the stress out of moving and you can focus on your loved one. This transition can be difficult and the loss of control can feel overwhelming for your elderly parents. Be ready to listen and address their concerns while trying to remain optimistic for them. Help them adjust to their new home by decorating, creating a routine, and involving them in some social gatherings! Always do your best to be present, and make them feel at home. We hope these tips help you make the transition to Long Term Care go a little more smoothly!
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