A Complete Checklist for Moving Elderly Parents (Downloadable PDF)

Relocating your elderly parents can feel overwhelming, but with a solid plan, the process can be much easier. Whether they’re moving to an assisted living facility, a smaller home, or into your family’s home, this guide will walk you through every step.

It ensures you cover all the details while keeping your parents’ well-being at the center of the move.

Key Takeaways

• Your parents’ goals, care needs, and the safety of their new home should guide the moving process.
• Important documents, keepsakes, and updated services ensure everything is ready for their transition to a new home.
• Decluttering belongings and organizing packing help simplify downsizing and make the move more manageable.
• California Mobility can help make their new home safer with products like stair lifts, ramps, and home elevators.

Step 1: Talk About Their Goals

Understand Their Needs

Have open conversations with your parents.

Are they moving into your home or a new community, such as a retirement community or nursing home? Or are they downsizing to a smaller home closer to family members?

Understanding their goals will help you plan better.

Review Their New Home

Look closely at the floor plan of their new residence. Is it safe and easy to navigate? Does it have features like grab bars or wheelchair-accessible entryways? Ensuring the space is suitable will make the move easier for aging parents with mobility issues.

Plan for Their Home Care Needs

If your parents need memory care or at-home senior care, make sure the new home can accommodate these services. Check whether the new location is close to trusted healthcare providers or assisted living community resources.

Step 2: Gather and Update Important Documents

Collect All Paperwork

Get a folder for essential items, including:

• Medical records for healthcare providers
• Social Security information
• Power of attorney and legal documents
• Subscription details that need to be canceled or updated

Notify Relevant Services

Contact Social Security, utility providers, and financial institutions about the move. Let senior caregivers know the new address and confirmthe continuity of services.

Organize Keepsakes and Heirlooms

Aside from official documents, make sure personal keepsakes and heirlooms are kept secure during the move. These items often have great sentimental value to your parents and help maintain a sense of home.

Step 3: Declutter and Downsize

Sort Through Belongings

Work together to decide what to keep, donate, or sell. Downsizing can be emotional, especially when leaving the family home, but it’s also an opportunity to focus on essential items they’ll need in their new space.

Host an Estate Sale or Donate

Consider organizing an estate sale for items they no longer need. Alternatively, donate to local charities that align with their values.

Make Packing Easier

Pack systematically, starting with the items they use least. Clearly label boxes for each room in their new home, and ensure essential items like toiletries, medications, and clothes are packed separately for easy access.

Step 4: Plan the Move

Hire Professional Movers

Look for a moving company with experience in senior relocations. Many movers also offer unpacking services, which can help your parents settle into their new home faster.

Set a Moving Date

Choose a moving date that works for everyone involved. Allow enough time to handle decluttering, packing, and transportation without rushing.

Arrange Transportation

If your parents need special accommodations, such as wheelchair-accessible transport, plan for this in advance. Safe and comfortable transportation is key, especially for older adults with mobility concerns.

Step 5: Prepare the New Residence

Focus on Safety

Make the new home senior-friendly by:

• Installing grab bars in bathrooms
• Adding non-slip rugs
• Ensuring the floor plan allows for easy movement

Personalize the Space

Unpack and arrange keepsakes, heirlooms, and familiar furniture to make the new residence feel like home. This helps reduce feelings of anxiety or disorientation.

Test Utilities and Subscriptions

Confirm that utilities, phone lines, and any relevant subscriptions are active at the new address before move-in day.

Step 6: Support Their Emotional Transition

Offer Reassurance

The moving process can stir up a range of emotions for senior citizens. Acknowledge their feelings and offer comfort during this major life change.

Introduce Them to Their New Community

Help them explore their new neighborhood or community. If they’re moving into an assisted living facility or senior living community, encourage participation in activities to foster connections.

Check In Regularly

Stay in touch during the first few weeks after the move. Regular visits or phone calls can help your parents feel supported as they adjust to their new living space.

Final Moving Checklist for Your Elderly Parents

Here’s a comprehensive checklist to guide you:

• Choose a new home that meets their needs, whether an assisted living facility, nursing home, or smaller residence.
• Collect important documents, including medical and legal paperwork.
• Notify providers, update subscriptions, and change their address.
• Declutter belongings and organize an estate sale or donations.
• Hire a professional moving company and confirm the moving date.
• Prepare the new space for safety and comfort.
• Unpack essential items to make the first night in their new home stress-free.
• Help them integrate into their new community and keep in regular contact.

Move Your Elderly Parents with Confidence

Relocating your loved ones doesn’t have to be stressful. At California Mobility, we are here to support you with products like stair lifts, ramps, and home elevators to make your new space safer and more accessible.

Contact us today to make this transition easier for your family. For personalized advice, please consult appropriate experts.