Ultimate Guide: Moving Elderly Parents to Another State

Moving elderly parents to another state can be a complex and emotional process—presenting peculiar challenges that seem daunting

Coupled with logistics hassles, relocation can be a stressful process. Plus, there's also the mental stress of leaving familiar surroundings and networks.

Achieving success with moving requires great attention to detail and sensitivity to the needs of aging parents. With so many things to remember and lots of options to consider, you don't want to miss out on any important relocation detail. 

Let's walk you through a carefully planned guide to ensure a smooth transition for you and the elderly ones in your care.

Why Moving May Be Necessary

Globally, there is an increase in the aging population. According to the Census Bureau projections, older adults in the U.S. will outnumber children by 2034. This burdens the health sector and social landscape in caring for these senior citizens. 

Consequently, you may need to move your elderly parents for any of the following reasons:

• Healthcare needs

Often, elderly parents may have specialized care needs requiring 24/7 attention. As people age, there is are likelihood of experiencing a decline in health and physical strength. 

It then necessitates moving them either closer to their family or to care homes. Here, their specialized needs will be attended to by a staff of professionals equipped and trained to provide such services.

• Safety concerns

Elderly parents risk hazards such as falls in their homes. This is usually the case when they aren't in environments tailored to provide precautions against such threats. Moving them to a friendlier environment with ramps and better lighting can prevent accidents and injuries.

• Loneliness

Moving can help to maintain the mental well-being of the elderly. Relocating them closer to their families or facilities that can assist with their daily living activities is helpful, they can find meaningful engagement and interactions. 

Eventually, this will keep the emotional distress and depression that come with social isolation at bay.

Choose a New Location

Having decided that moving is important and necessary, you should start planning where to move and consider any available options.

• Researching potential destinations

Determining the potential location to move your elderly parents depends on some factors. It could be based on their personal preferences or their imminent needs. Regardless of the reason, you should research the potential new environment. 

Check out the weather, proximity to family, and essential infrastructure like hospitals. Even make findings on the cost of living there for an average senior citizen.

If possible, schedule a visit either alone or with them to get a feel of the neighborhood. Since most elderly parents in their golden years do not drive, making findings about transportation in this potential new home will be useful.

• Considering assisted living establishments

With 60% of falls by the elderly happening at home, you may want to consider senior living communities. These facilities are often familiar with and have taken precautions on home safety features for the elderly like wide doorways and grab bars in bathrooms. 

Create a Moving Checklist

Engagements of daily activities can be a stumbling block to efficient planning when moving senior citizens. It has many peculiarities, such that you can easily miss one or two important details. 

Creating a senior moving checklist can help address this. It will help you organize, prioritize, and coordinate the move.

• Assess the level of assistance required

On the moving checklist, you can list a few criteria that will help you assess the level of assistance your elderly parents need during the move. Are they physically fit? Do they require gurneys or wheelchairs? How about their visual and hearing capabilities? 

• Select a moving date

Choosing a suitable moving date should be another parameter your moving checklist addresses. Senior moving services in summers, holidays, and weekends are often overbooked if available. 

A pro tip would be to select a moving date that aligns with the schedule of your aged parents and still fits into non-rush seasons.

• Make arrangements for extra services

These professional movers also offer comprehensive packing services that are often beneficial for seniors who may find it physically challenging to pack their belongings. 

Movers can efficiently and securely pack items. They do this by properly handling fragile or valuable items and protecting them during transit.

• Declutter

Moving to another state can be an opportunity to declutter. 

List items that need non-essentials and offer little to no value to your parents. Donate to charity and friends or hold a yard sale to reduce the load that needs to be moved. 

• Notify relevant organizations of the transfer

Also, take note of necessary documentation and notify organizations that should be aware of the move. For instance,  insurance and healthcare providers, banks, or other entities that the senior citizens deal with.

Staying Up-to-date

When considering how to move elderly parents across the country, the services of professional movers can be invaluable. Many of them offer a wide range of services necessary for a successful move. 

Their expertise in logistics and transportation is crucial in a long-distance move. It is important to keep communicating with them until the move day to coordinate the entire process. 

As an extra tip, they can also help you review your moving checklist. 

In staying up-to-date, you should:

• Keep abreast of legal requirements for transferring medical records and updating insurance policies. 
• Stay connected with your elderly parents' current healthcare providers. It will lead to a smooth transition of prescriptions and ongoing treatments, if any. 

Moreover, regular communication with your parents is necessary. Involving them in decisions ensures their comfort and confidence throughout the relocation process.

Acknowledge their feelings of nostalgia or apprehension about leaving familiar territory. Offer reassurance and encouragement as they navigate this transitional period.

Plan the Move

After making all the necessary arrangements and bookings, move day is here! 

All the activities, especially packing and unpacking, can be stressful for the elderly. Some great moving tips for seniors to avoid being overwhelmed are to engage the services of moving companies that offer storage solutions. 

Some items may not be immediately required for the new home. By storing excess belongings, they can adjust to their new environment without the immediate clutter. 

The entire process can be made easier by packing all the essentials that will be needed upon arrival in separate boxes. This includes medications, care items, and even documents like IDs.

Settling In

After moving elderly parents to another state, personalize the new space as soon as possible. 

Doing this will create a sense of familiarity. Help them socialize to build new connections in ways you can. Make arrangements for or encourage them to join in community activities in the new area. Plus, they can equally explore local centers for seniors

Walk around the neighborhood and note marketplaces for essentials. Remember that moving can be emotionally jarring, your elderly parents may take some time to adjust to their new environment and circumstances. It's important to be patient and offer empathetic care.

Final Words

Never forget; that the decision to move elderly parents to another state has many layers. This move could be driven by the necessity to ensure their safety, well-being, and quality of life. Or by their desire to enjoy a change of scenery. 

Engaging with senior moving services and coordinating activities with a checklist can make everything easy to sort. After the move, providing emotional support for your elderly parents is critical. It will make the transition and eventual adaptation easier.

Good luck!