9 Tips For Reducing A Senior’s Anxiety About Moving

Aug 23, 2021 Moving is a challenging time for senior citizens as it is a major life change that takes a toll on them mentally and physically. After a certain age, the stress of moving is significantly difficult to bear, which is why many older adults develop relocation stress syndrome (RSS). They can experience crippling anxiety, depression and sadness before and after moving. Additionally, it leads to loss of sleep, poor appetite, memory loss, withdrawal and much more. To manage relocating with a senior, you should hire professional removalists in Melbourne to ease moving-related stress. Furthermore, follow the tips shared below to reduce a senior’s anxiety about moving. Have a look.

1. Talk About The Move

Relocation is among the most stressful events in anyone’s life, but it is extremely taxing for elderly people. Most have to move out of a home they lived in for years, and leaving a familiar place with memories is challenging at their age. Therefore, you should address their difficulties and fears to ease anxiety and make the move less daunting. Talk about the relocation with the elderly to keep them involved and ensure they can share their feelings of discomfort, sadness, loneliness, etc. Interacting with seniors is also crucial to keep them involved and help them maintain autonomy during the move.

2. Visit The New Place

Familiarising older adults with their new home is one of the best ways to ease relocation stress and anxiety, especially if they are moving to an aged-care home or retirement village. Take them along to meet with the staff and new neighbours to help them socialise. Visiting the new place can help the seniors feel less confused, intimidated or stressed about the change in their living circumstances.

3. Be Respectful

Seniors can feel helpless and angry while relocating, especially when they move into a healthcare facility or aged-care home. You must give them the respect they deserve and meet their needs during this time. While decluttering your household, downsizing or planning any other moving-related activity, ask what they want to keep. Additionally, keep the older person in the loop regarding other significant decisions to let them have a say, before and after moving.

4. Don’t Disturb Their Routine

Many elderly people are set in their ways, and moving is a major change that can cause stress, irritability, agitation etc. Maintaining their daily routine will help you ensure they can manage the process comfortably. Besides planning and completing various tasks, serve their meals on time, keep track of their medication, maintain their exercise/walking routine etc. Take the assistance of professional removalists in Melbourne to avoid disturbing their routine. Professionals can help with different moving-related tasks such as packing, loading or unloading boxes, transporting belongings safely and much more.

5. Create A Moving Checklist

Plan and organise the move for a senior citizen by creating a moving checklist outlining each task. A checklist helps streamline your responsibilities and prioritise tasks according to importance and urgency. Plus, you can keep track of time and manage the move without delays.

6. Maintain A Positive Attitude

Seniors can feel overwhelmed before and after relocation, which is why you need to maintain a positive attitude throughout the process. Keep yourself and others around laughing to ease anxiety, stress and pressure related to moving. It is easier for elderly people to manage the harrowing process of relocation when you are a good sport regarding minor inconveniences and don’t get frustrated quickly.

7. Be Patient And Calm

Moving is chaotic and agitates seniors due to separation anxiety, fear, homesickness and various other reasons. You need to remain patient to handle their mood swings and reactions. Relocation is difficult and tiring under normal circumstances, and when you manage it with older people, you need to be prepared. Meditate, take a walk, practise breathing exercises or do other activities that help keep you calm during the process.

8. Visit Their Doctor

Make an appointment with the doctor before the move for a health exam of the senior to ensure they are fit for the journey. The doctor can prescribe medications to ease pain, nausea or other issues that may arise during travel or after arriving at the new home. Plus, the doctor can also answer health-related queries the elder person has to help ease their mind about the move.

9. Prepare For The Moving Day

Pack an essential bag for the family member, friend, or another elderly person you are helping move. This bag should contain the following items along with other essentials. • A change of clothes • Prescription medicines • Identification card • Snacks and beverages • Water bottle • Toiletries • Neck pillows, blankets and other things that help make travelling easy. In addition, motivate and prepare them for the move through positive reinforcement. Also, hire professional removalists in Melbourne to ensure everything goes smoothly on the moving day.

The Bottom Line

Relocation induces stress and fear in elderly people as it is a significant life change for them. It can severely affect their mental and physical well-being, which is why when helping a senior citizen to move, you have to reduce their anxiety. Besides taking the assistance of experienced removalists in Melbourne, follow the tips shared above to make the relocation process hassle and stress-free for the elderly.