Moving Day

Moving day is never fun no matter what your age. But for older adults, leaving a home they may have lived in for 30 or 40 years to move to senior living can be especially difficult. The more you prepare ahead of time, the smoother the transition will be.

Here are a few suggestions for making the day a little easier.

1. Prepare a box full of items you will need the first two or three days you are in your new location. Think about the basic items you need to get your hands on first. Has your Mother eaten toast with peanut butter for breakfast every day of her life? You will need a toaster, bread, peanut butter and a knife. Coffee an essential in your household? Don't forget the filters. Then there are the staples like paper towels, toilet paper, and trash bags. You can check with the community to see what they provide, and supplement that to make sure the first few days aren't made more difficult by a lack of basics.

2. Pack a suitcase with clothes and personal items for two or three days longer than your movers predict it will take them to arrive with your loved ones belongings. Don't forget to include medications.

3. If you haven't signed paperwork ahead of time at the new community, be sure to have whatever documentation you need in a separate file that will be easy to access.

4. Does the community provide a phone? Check to make sure you don't need to provide one.

5. What time frame are you required to sign a contract for? Many experts suggest starting with only a 3 month contract so you can assess how hard the realtor works on your behalf.

Taking a little extra time to map out for your first few days after the move, will help your loved one make a smooth transition to their new home.