If you have an elderly loved one that will soon be moving into a new home, be it something that they’re trying to downsize to or a new assisted living facility for them, they may need more help from you in getting themselves set up and settled in.
To help you see how you can be a big benefit to them during this time, here are three ways to help your elderly loved one settle into their new home.
Help Them Set Up Their Space
Even if your elderly loved one is fit and spry for their age, they can still use your help in getting their space set up, especially if they’re going to be moving a lot of their belongings.
Something they might need a lot of help with is parting with items that they can’t take with them anymore, as so many possessions can hold fond memories for your loved one. So if there are only a few things that they are able to take with them to their new home, you’ll want to make sure that they keep the things that are most meaningful to them and will help them to feel more at home as they move into their new place.
Get Them Involved In Their Community
If you won’t be living with your elderly loved one in their new home, they’re going to need some kind of community around them to help them be safe and supported. However, making friends can be hard for people of any age, especially if they aren’t as mobile or independent as they used to be.
To help them in bridging this gap, you should seek to encourage your elderly loved one to become involved in their community as soon as possible. This can be done by having you help to introduce them to their new neighbors, participating in community groups or clubs that are available, and just setting up a space that feels friendly and welcoming to those that they’ll now be living near.
Give Them Easy Ways To Stay In Touch
Even with having a community of friends around them, keeping in touch with you and other family members will be vital to your elderly loved one’s well-being. But for many older people, it can be hard to know how to keep in touch with their younger family members.
If you live close by, try to make a schedule for when you’ll come to visit on a regular basis. If you can’t come and see your loved one in person often, consider giving them a device so that they can video chat with you often. Or, if more traditional modes of communication are preferred, give them some envelopes that are already addressed and stamped so that they can quickly and easily send you cards or letters in the mail.
If you’re wanting to help your elderly loved one settle into their new home, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how this can best be done.
