5 Safety Tips How to Help an Elderly Person Move

• May 10, 2021
• Bill Chen

Last updated on October 30, 2023

If you have older loved ones in your life, chances are at some point you will be called in to help them with a significant house move. Whether they’re moving to be closer to a carer, downsizing, or shifting into facilities better suited to their needs, it can be a tricky and emotional task for everyone involved. Whilst you can employ the services of a Balmain removals company, you will still be needed for helping them get from A to B. 

Undoubtedly this can be a tricky task – so here are 5 tips to help you help an elderly person move home.

1. Allow More Time

If you need to move heavy items, it’s important to remember that as you age, your body may not be as resilient as it once was. While you may have been able to carry heavy boxes and furniture without issue in your younger years, it’s important to take extra care as you get older.

One key way to do this is by allowing more time on a moving day. Rushing can lead to accidents and injuries, so take your time and plan ahead. Make sure you have enough help to move larger items and take breaks as needed to avoid overexerting yourself.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to invest in tools or equipment that can help you move heavy items more safely and easily. For example, a dolly or hand truck can be a great way to transport heavier boxes or furniture without straining your back or joints.

2. Give them some understanding

The older you are and the longer you have lived somewhere means you can get emotionally vested in the home they’re leaving, and it’s expected that there will be sadness and apprehension about the move. It can be a tough conversation to have with your aging parent, but give them time to grieve the change and talk about where they will be living and why they are moving, to help make the transition smoother. 

When seniors are asked to leave their longtime homes, a frequent cause of distress is their perceived loss of control, so give your loved one as much choice as possible as they plan and implement the move. Use of the best removalists Western Sydney offers will certainly help, but the onus is also on you to help them and let them feel the support and control again. 

3. Enlist the help of relatives

This will undoubtedly be a big job, so enlist help from your family. Encourage siblings or other close family members to take a few days off of work to help. Even kids and younger family members can have an important role. Moving with kids can help grandparents feel better about the whole thing. Surrounding your senior parents with loved ones who are supportive and encouraging could help ease the emotional stress of moving as well.

4. Clean and repair

Once the organizing and packing are finished, there is still some work that needs to be done before leaving a house. One important task is to clean the house thoroughly, especially if it’s going to be sold, rented, or passed on to someone else. This is where move-out cleaning services can be a lifesaver, as they specialize in cleaning homes that are being vacated. It’s also a good idea to take care of any necessary repairs before leaving, to prevent them from getting worse and causing problems for the next occupants. By addressing maintenance issues early on, homeowners can avoid dealing with them later when the house is up for sale or after renters move in.

5. Help them find a new doctor etc

Healthcare should be top of mind when moving an elderly loved one. If the senior is moving to a new suburb, city, or state, you’ll need to help them find a new doctor, dentist, and other services as soon as possible. I recommend calling a few months before the move to schedule an appointment with a doctor in the new city. Also, be sure to let your loved one’s current doctor know about the move. Prescription refills should be moved to a pharmacy near their new home as well.

Happy moving with your elderly loved one with help of a reputable removal company!