10 Mar How to Help a Loved One Overcome the Anxiety of Moving
Moving can be a stressful experience for anyone, but it can be particularly challenging for senior adults like your mom or dad who may have established deep roots in their community or be more resistant to change. But there are ways you can help your loved one overcome the emotional anxiety of moving and make the transition a positive experience.
- Acknowledge their feelings
It’s important to recognize that your loved one’s anxious or sad feelings about moving are completely normal. In fact, according to a study by the National Council on Aging, over 50% of older adults experience anxiety or depression during a move. But the good news is a study by the American Seniors Housing Association found that 85% of seniors who moved to a senior living community reported an improved quality of life.
Don’t try to avoid the conversation, and resist arguing about facts like safety or finances. Instead, acknowledge your loved one’s feelings and allow them to express and experience them. Consider inviting a trusted family friend or family member into the conversation.
- Help create a new vision for the future
When facing a big move, one helpful way to frame it is: It’s not about what you’re moving from, it’s about where you’re going to. Helping mom or dad look ahead and create a new vision for their next chapter is an incredibly powerful way to overcome negative emotions. So, research communities and plan an in-person visit.
At Park Springs, we invite your loved one to get a true look at what life in our community is like with an overnight stay. They’ll stay in one of our homes onsite, enjoy meals and activities with other Members, interact with our staff, and explore our 61+ acre campus. There’s no better way to “try us on for size” and help put your parent’s fears to rest.
- Plan the move
One important question to ask any senior living community is what resources they have available for assisting in your parent’s move. For example, you’ll be relieved to know that Park Springs has a Member Move Manager, Joey Adams, who can handle every detail––from coming to your parent’s current home to help them to decide what to keep to arranging for the moving company and coordinating everything on moving day from hanging artwork to arranging for their cable/wifi service. To learn more, check out these 3 things you’ll love about our Member Move manager.
- Encourage mom or dad to embrace new opportunities
Moving into a senior living community can open up a whole new world of opportunities for socialization, fun exercise and recreation, and exciting activities for personal growth.Go over the Park Springs weekly schedule of events with your mom or dad and help them choose a few activities to participate in the first week. Take a tour of the fitness center together and meet with one of our personal trainers to talk about a personal fitness program. Peruse the list of our 50+ clubs and special interest groups together with your loved one and see what lights up their eyes, and then talk to a staff member about helping them join the next meeting.
Despite your loved one’s initial anxieties, they might discover, that moving to Park Springs is such a positive experience that their only regret is they didn’t do it sooner.
With a little patience and encouragement, you can help mom or dad discover that the rewards of a new life far outweigh the fears and challenges of moving. It will be all worthwhile when you see them enjoying a life full of social opportunities and recreational activities, caring new friends and neighbors, and freedom from daily tasks and maintenance––and knowing that your loved one is safe, happy, healthy, and surrounded by a community who truly cares about their well-being.