Make Realistic Goals: Unless you are making this move in the middle of a crisis, give your parents enough time to work at a leisurely pace. Don’t try to downsize their entire home in a weekend. Working at a more comfortable pace helps keep anxiety down while giving your parents a chance to reminisce about time spent together in their home.

Identify Cherished Possessions: This can help your parents plan for their assisted living apartment. Set aside their most cherished items, decide if they will fit in their new apartment; if they won’t, ask your parent if there is someone in the family they would like to pass the items on to. They may be more agreeable to parting ways with them if they know it will find a new home with a family member or friend who will appreciate it.

 

Create a Floor Plan Layout: After your parent has selected the apartment or suite in the assisted living community, ask the staff for a detailed copy of the floor plan. Make sure the dimensions for each room are marked. Then measure all of their furniture so you can create a layout of each room. This will help with the moving process and will help alleviate a lot of tension and stress on a moving day.

Create a Moving Schedule: Once you know your parents are moving date, create a moving schedule. Keep in mind weekends and the end of the month are busier for moving companies. You may have better luck if you plan to move on a Tuesday or Wednesday in the middle of the month.

Get Involved with the Assisted Living Community: Because the downsizing process sometimes takes longer than you hope, it isn’t uncommon for older adults to begin second-guessing their decision to move. Make the transition go more smoothly by encouraging your parent to start attending events and participating in activities at their new assisted living community even before they move. The staff can help make these arrangements. This will allow your family member to make new friends and get to know their way around before moving day arrives.

Pack a Moving Day Box: To put together a box of moving day essentials and valuables you don’t want the movers to handle. It should include toiletries, medications, important papers, snacks, beverages, and any other necessities your parents feel they will need. Keep this box with you on moving day.