Considerations When Moving Your Elderly Loved One
Making the choice to move your elderly relative or friend can be a tough one. Of course, if they come to the decision all on their own, it’s made pretty easy. But if you are noticing that a senior care facility or even a residential community catering to the needs of the elderly is becoming more and more of a necessity, there are a few things you should know before you contact a Colorado moving company.
You might find that bringing up the subject leads to anger and hostility. Put yourself in their shoes – they’ve possibly lived their entire life in the building they call home, have had the same neighbors for decades, have a routine for their day-to-day activities – would you be so willing to walk away from your safe place, your comfort zone?
Introduce the Idea Gently
You can’t just start out by choosing a facility and calling residential moving companies right off the bat. Instead, you need to ease into the subject slowly and as gently as possible to warm them up to the idea. You’ll want them to work their frustrations and anxieties out of their system until they realize that it’s the best idea for them.
To make these conversations as effective as possible, pretend you are them. Look at their lives now, and come up with points you can make that they’ll actually consider as being beneficial to their lives in some way. Remember to take into consideration what they consider important, and point out how this new living arrangement won’t mean the end of those things! For example, it’s not all about the cost – sometimes it’s the social life they’re used to maintaining that is most important.
Play Up Their Interests
So they love to attend Tuesday night Bingo with a couple of the neighbors, so much so, they haven’t missed one of these nights in 15 years. Seek out those facilities that offer a Bingo night! If they’re just all-around active and involved in the community, find a place that offers them to continue this lifestyle.
The best way to get them interested and on board with this move, you’ll need to look at their lifestyle and match the environments accordingly. Sit with them and compile a list of must-haves, and seek out the place that fits them as perfectly as possible. Are they worried about family not coming to visit them? Try to select a location that is as close to family as possible, guaranteeing visits don’t have to lessen!
Bring Them for a Visit
It’s just like buying a new home – you wouldn’t just move in without walking through first. Include them in the process so they can assess the living conditions and activities offered. Don’t just stop with a formal tour of the facility – drop by unannounced and take a peek at what’s going on. This will put your mind at ease, ensuring the facility lives up to its claims.
Do they have a friend or relative in a facility? Talk to that person – a first hand account of conditions from someone you trust is better than hearing the one-sided, biased opinions of the caregivers and facility managers who just want your money! Besides, finding someone they know in the facility can make it a whole lot easier to convince them to make the move.
Moving Day
When they realize that it isn’t so bad, it’s time for a moving quote. Don’t forget to let them decide what stays and what goes! This process can be enjoyable, but it is daunting! They’ll be taking a trip down memory lane for sure, and it can be tough to part with the stuff. However, they’ll be able to see the look of joy on people’s faces who will be entrusted with caring for prized possessions – grandma’s special china, for example – rather than waiting until it is passed down in the will.
Just remember that you will one day be in the same scenario. Don’t push too hard, and you catch more flies with honey – talk up the points that will interest them most in order to win them over.
