As they grow older, circumstances may force children into the position of making financial decisions for parents. Sometimes, this means moving elderly parents out of their home.
Unfortunately, dealing with finances and moving rank among the most stressful life events, and many seniors already face high-stress levels, due to health problems, financial difficulties, and aging-related issues.
The last thing you want to do is ramp up stress levels with a complicated move.
Selling a home the traditional way is expensive: Closing costs, realtor fees, renovations, and updates all add to the financial burden associated with a sale.
Plus, an elderly parent’s home must be sold quickly in order to cover not just moving costs, but medical bills, assisted living expenses, debt, and more.
Leaving a beloved home comes with emotional costs, too. Then there’s the pressure of keeping a home clean and show-ready while it’s on the market.
The bottom line? Selling a home the traditional way is stressful, and even more so when elderly parents are involved. Hopefully our checklist will help reduce the stress of moving elderly parents out of their home.
Keep Communicating
Moving is hard on everyone, but it may be especially difficult for an elderly person who’s attached to a beloved home they’ve lived in for years.
To help them adjust, start discussing the change early in the process. Initiating the conversation may feel intimidating, but giving your parents plenty of time to adjust now will save heartache and anxiety later.
Keep the conversation direct and supportive. Seniors may feel a loss of control when they’re no longer able to make their own decisions, so it’s important to give them a chance to grieve.
Choose the Right Place
When deciding where to move your elderly parent, their needs should remain front and center. Does your parent need the care offered by a nursing home or an assisted living facility? Perhaps they could move in with a relative or simply downsize.
Consider which activities interest your parents, the culture they feel comfortable in, and the levels of support they require. Your parent’s input is key, so allow them to be as involved in the decision-making process as possible.
That means taking them to visit their new home multiple times before the move to reduce uncertainty.
Plan the Move
Creating a clear plan will help the move progress smoothly and quickly, and reduce everyone’s stress. Your plan should include measurements of the new space, so you’ll know which items can (and cannot) be taken to the new residence.
Share this plan with your parents to avoid any surprises. If being present during the move will be too stressful, find somewhere your parents can be on moving day.
Bring the Family
Your parent is likely experiencing worry and anxiety about the move. Having family around can help!
Bring family members with you on moving day. Not only will the extra pairs of hands be helpful, but they’ll also be able to support your parent so they know they’re still an important part of the family.
Settling In
Making your parents are comfortable in their new residence is key. Decorating with familiar personal items can make them feel more at home.
Visit your parents often during this adjustment period, so they don’t feel alone. If you can, take steps to help them find social support and make new friends.
Prep the Old House for Sale
Once your parent is settled into their new home, you’ll need to get their old house ready for sale.
If you’re selling the traditional way, this means lots of cleaning, fixing, upgrading, and staging the home to make it attractive to potential buyers.
Keep in mind that the staging process may be difficult for your parents, as it can be hard for seniors to watch their personal items being removed.
If you would prefer a fast, hassle-free sale, you can sell with HomeGo. Not only will you avoid paying closing costs and realtor fees — saving your parent money — your sale can be closed in as little as two weeks, start to finish. When it’s time to move on, make the process easier on your parent and yourself by selling quickly.