Are your parents retired and downsizing? Chances are they’ll need your help and support to ensure a smooth transition to their new home. If you’re not sure where to start, this article will take you through all the steps you need to consider before you and your folks get started with the logistics of retirement moving.
Let’s start by taking a look at what’s involved in moving parents out of the family home and how you can make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
Downsizing is different for seniors
Micro-living and moving into a compact space is a big trend for the millennials and even the newly retired these days. But don’t be surprised if your elderly parents aren’t as excited by the idea of moving to a smaller home as you are. Change, regardless how big or small can be unsettling at any stage of life.
Mature adults, especially those over 70, can be very attached to the home they’ve been living in for decades and saying goodbye to familiar surroundings, friends and neighbours is never going to be easy. Couple this with retirement and downsizing, which involves a considerable amount of de-cluttering and a major shift in the way they have lived for much of their adult lives, and you begin to understand their apprehension .
As a concerned child or younger relative, the best thing you can do is support them with their difficult but necessary move and help streamline the process with effective planning and gentle persuasion.
Here’s what you can do if your parents are downsizing and moving to a smaller home soon.
Warm them up to the idea of moving
Big decisions are never easy to make in a hurry, particularly when they involve uprooting yourself from the house you’ve grown attached to, often over decades.
- If your parents are downsizing due to health or safety concerns you can use that as a starting point to discuss their relocation. Once they buy into the concept of downsizing you can start taking concrete steps to plan and execute the relocation with compassion.
- House-hunting or viewing retirement homes can be a fun way to get your parents used to the idea of relocating. A Sunday spent touring potential retirement developments followed by a refreshing lunch could be a great way to start.
Retirement Moves should be planned well in advance
One of the benefits of well thought out retirement moving is that you can decide as a
family when it would be most suitable to make the move. In this way, other family members can be recruited to pitch in and help, particularly if your parents are going to be downsizing and needing to lighten the load.
Aside from our top tip to be patient and understanding of their emotions, here are some other tips that will help you make your parents relocation less stressful and more of a footpath on their journey of life.
Choose the right season. Spring is an ideal time of year to move when the weather is mild, and your elderly parents are less likely to be bothered by extreme heat.
Don’t make them throw everything out. While helping your parents through the downsizing process, it’s important that they are encouraged to keep items that remind them of their life experiences and years together. And, if they aren’t quite ready to get rid of something that won’t fit into the smaller home, there is always the option of managed storage or self storage units.
Take them on a retirement relocation holiday. Taking the family on a holiday to the town or area your parents are considering moving to is a great way to “feel out” the area together. It’ll also encourage grandkids to visit their grandparents there in the future, relieving any feelings of isolation that your parents may be experiencing.
Choose a moving company that cares for your family and belongings
You might find that your parents feel more comfortable consulting with professional movers when it comes time to pack up and move their precious belongings to a smaller home.
A team of experts such as the one you will find at Key Moves are more able to be objective in persuading them to get rid of items they have an emotional attachment to.
What’s more, you can rest easy knowing that their move is in the hands of an efficient and responsible team who understand the emotions involved in retirement moves. Our fully trained staff will help them with the packing and unpacking of their prized possessions, all covered by our full risk cover.
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