Whether your aging loved one comes to the decision themselves or if care needs make it a necessity,moving aging parents from their home is a difficult decision. An Aging Life Care Professional™ can help determine the best housing options and a professional move manager can help make the process easier.
Moving Can Be a Difficult Transition for Seniors. Here’s How to Help Make It Easier.
by Marie LeBlanc, BS, MBA, – Aging Life Care Association™ Corporate Partner
If illness or an accident means that your parents need to leave their family home and move to assisted living, it can be a difficult transition. If one or the other isn’t ready to leave the home where they raised their children, it makes it especially stressful for family members.
It is important that family members present a united front in what needs to be done. Parents often are saddened and overwhelmed by the decision to sell their home. Leaving a home that they have lived in for many years can be tough for your parents. Getting that home ready for sale after being lived in for decades can be even tougher for you and your siblings.
Here are some tips for moving aging parents and selling your parents’ home that will help make the transition easier:
Talk to your parents. Take time to speak with your parents about what to expect when getting the home ready for sale, selling the home, and moving. This process can be overwhelming and making them feel a part of the process and arming them with information will ease some of their fears and allow the move to progresses.
Be patient. Moving is one of the most stressful life transitions for anyone. For seniors, it can be extremely emotional. There are many memories in a home where they may have raised a family and the home represents their independence, which they may not be ready to relinquish. Maintain a positive attitude about the move and provide constant reinforcement about what a good decision they are making.
Get help from an expert. Working with a realtor is key to making the process go smoothly. With your siblings and parents, make a list of what you are looking for in a realtor and then select one that meets your criteria. Realtors offer advice on selling for the right price, provide referrals for other services and give you and your parents a clear picture of what to expect during the selling process.
Declutter. Potential buyers want to be able to see themselves living in the house; that means you should remove personal items and clear out as much clutter as possible. Minimal furniture and décor make the rooms look more spacious. Help your parents prioritize what they want to take with them and what might be given to you and your siblings. Remaining items can be sold, given to charity, or disposed of. Consider using a professional service that works specifically with people who are moving to help declutter and stage their home for sale. A thorough cleaning and window washing will likely be needed as well.
Don’t try to do it alone. It is easy to become overwhelmed when preparing your parents’ home for sale while trying to live your life with all its responsibilities. Ask relatives and friends to help ease the load but be prepared to be realistic about what they can contribute in terms of time and talent. Every extra pair of hands will lessen the stress you feel. There are professional services you can call on to help as well — Aging Life Care Professionals, home stagers, housecleaning services, landscapers, contractors, senior move managers, and movers. Don’t try to do it alone.
For more information on Aging Life Care™ or to find an Aging Life Care Professional, visit aginglifecare.org.
About the author: Marie LeBlanc, BS, MBA, is the president and owner of Transitions Liquidation Services in Hyannis, MA, a move management and rightsizing company founded in 2002. Transitions Liquidation Services has completed over 700 transitions and Marie is an active speaker on the topics of moving, rightsizing and hoarding. Follow Marie on Facebook and LinkedIn.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.
Source: ALCA Blog