Moving to a new home and lifestyle involves CHANGE which can lead to an emotional and often overwhelming time for you and the person you are caring for.
FIVE TIPS for a successful move…
- CELEBRATE THE GOOD TIMES! As you prepare for your move, you’re bound to discover things you had long forgotten, like photographs from days gone by, favourite music, special knickknacks and vintage clothes. Take time to share some of these treasures and you may be surprised at the reaction you get as you celebrate the good times… together!
- FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTENT. This is one of the BEST reason to duplicate areas of your existing home in your new home. Look for the “special nest” area – a place where your loved one feels most comfortable and relaxed. As you create the floor plan for your new home, incorporate as many aspects of the “nest” as you can – the chair, the table, the lamp, the pillow, the box of Kleenex… get the idea? Your want to create a cozy space where everyone feels safe, relaxed and at home… again!
- KEEP DISTRACTIONS TO A MINIMUM – A huge part of any move preparation is the downsizing and packing. Minimize distractions for your loved one by packing items INSIDE cabinets, closets and cupboards first. Out of sight really is out-of-mind. Keep the BIG picture constant for as long as you can and your loved one will be less anxious about what’s going on around them.
- GIVE ITEMS “SAFE PASSAGE” – As you get ready for Move Day, you’ll find treasures that won’t fit at the new place. Give these surplus items “save passage” by sharing them with family or friends or donating them to charitable organizations to get them to people who can enjoy them as much as you did. WIN! WIN!
- CALL IN THE PROS! If the last thing you want to do is add the stress of moving to your already busy “to-do” list, call in the Pros! Senior & Specialty Move Managers recognize and manage the entire process and work with reputable moving companies to make the transition easier for you and your family. www.nasmm.org
Take it slow! When you enjoy the process of preparing for your upcoming move, you can reduce the stress for everyone involved. In the words of Emily Dickinson…
