Moving can be more challenging as a Senior.
Well, I finally convinced my husband to move! I am considering this senior friendly home my “Grandma house”, and hopefully the last time we pack and move. As the ‘fix it’ jobs at our old home became more difficult and painful, and after 3 years of chasing babies away from 3 sets of stairs in our last home, we decided to make the change. Starting from scratch, there were a lot of tips and ideas to consider for improved safety and function. As I packed and sorted, I noted many new items and methods that might help seniors and caregivers with moving. We did end up moving in the middle of a summer heat wave which wasn’t fun…. However, here are some helpful thoughts, tips and ideas if you are a caregiver or a senior making a move.
Tips to consider before you move as a senior regarding home set up:
Two ideas I believe are important to ponder before you choose your new residence as a senior are: preventing falls and staying active. As we age, our bodies are less resilient to challenging surfaces in our living spaces. Falls can not only lead to painful strains and fractured bones, for the elderly, they can lead to fatality. (Lively, 2021) I have witnessed the aftermath of many patient falls over the years while working in home health and senior care. Because of this, I can honestly tell you -many of them could have been prevented by simple adjustments to the environment! Safe and supportive flooring, rails on steps and in bathrooms, proper height of furniture, sturdiness of furniture and rails, clear walkways and good lighting are all important for fall prevention.
Along with a fall-safe environment however, it is important that our home promotes being active. I think this is a key consideration when choosing a move as a senior. I have watched many seniors begin to weaken due to the difficulty of getting around in their home or neighborhood. Too much furniture, multiple levels, deep steps, difficulty accessing laundry, tight areas around cars, difficulty getting to mailbox, and poorly lit neighborhoods can all limit activity and decrease safety with daily activities that would keep a person healthy. Open entrances and exits, good lighting, smooth and clear walkways through the home, safe walking paths outdoors, easy access to kitchen and bath, supportive seating and beds, appropriate support for steps and stairs, and storage that is organized and within reach- all can lead to less pain with movement, increased activity, and more self care. This can lead to better overall health and safety as well as maximum independence!
Preparing to move as a senior:
The physical act of cleaning out your home and packing can be a nightmare! As soon as you are even considering a move, start to organize. I began with cleaning out closets and cabinets, and taking loads of seldom used items to Good Will. I planned out on paper what we would take and how we would set up the new room areas. We then looked at furniture we could downsize and posted online to sell. Finally, when I began to pack boxes, I labelled them by room they would go into. I cleaned out a lot of home decor that I would not need, and filled several more car loads to donate. I focused on not moving large items that I wouldn’t need need over sorting through photos and paperwork (I figured the paperwork and photos were lighter and could be recycled or tossed after the move). This could be a great time to pare down and make a box of mementos and collectibles for each of your own kids or grandkids! Do you really need to move three sets of china? LOL . Do be cautious with carrying any bulky items or large boxes down steps or stairs.
Mark items that are heavy or fragile. Our move was local so we bagged clothing, pillows and blankets- rolling them downstairs! Likewise, we used mainly small boxes to keep carrying safer and more manageable. (affiliate link) Also, I did not tape boxes shut since they went from house- to car- to house. A lot of tape, cutting, and wrist pain was avoided with that!
As you choose your new home and prepare paperwork, keep in mind that learning and recalling new information as a senior can be tricky. Keep a bright folder or container with all new remotes, numbers, keys, and necessary information handy to help with the transition. Take photos of info you want handy on your cell phone! Likewise, have written instructions for all new procedures and set ups in the new home handy and accessible. Finally, in your prep time, make a list of all the businesses and connections that will need to have an updated version of your address. With all the busyness, it could be easy to miss an important company or contact, leading to more problems to fix.
Specifics to assess for choosing a new residence as a senior:
Begin when you arrive at the home you are considering by assessing the pathway from the car to the garage and or front door. Make sure it is open and smooth, and does not hinder independence. If there are steps to enter, a rail or grab bar and good lighting is essential to improve safety. Some people benefit from highlighting (red tape, etc) a single step to prevent missing it and falling.
From entering either doorway, look at the main areas of living: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and “TV room”. There should be a clear, well lit, open path to get to and from all of those areas. Make sure any equipment you use fits through doorways and hallways easily- both by size and considering safety of the floor surface for crossing and turning. Patterns on floor tile. especially dark, can be unsafe for some seniors. Likewise slick tile, thick carpet and uneven slate can be difficult to navigate. Check stability of steps or rails, and ease of accessing light switches.
Move about in the home simulating all of the tasks you would need to do throughout the day, and look for anything that might hinder safety: bed placement and accessibility to bathroom, area to store clothing and get dressed (a captains chair can be helpful for older seniors to sit and dress), storage of medications, getting into the refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher safely, accessing kitchen equipment and preparing food, getting the newspaper or mail, placement of the telephone or computer, ease of doing laundry (accessing detergent!), and getting to and from the front door. An area for daily exercise would be awesome!
Don’t forget to consider air and water safety. We moved in ready with an air purifier since our house was new and filled with construction dust- wow did it make a huge difference! Likewise, we opted for a reverse osmosis system for our drinking water due to heavy pesticide use in our area. (affiliate link)
Bath, kitchen and furniture set up for seniors who are moving:
Bathroom set up is very important. Any equipment you use should be checked for accessibility in/ out, and around the bathroom: doorway, commode area and shower or bathtub. Low toilets can be difficult or painful to get up off of- check the commode for comfort (a riser can be purchased to help with that). A handheld shower nozzle can increase self care while also help with safety while cleaning the shower. There are many different types of equipment available to purchase and place in your bathroom to improve safety. A fifty dollar purchase could help prevent a very expensive fall! Each person and bathroom is unique, so I highly recommend pursing an individualized OT assessment if you are struggling with bathroom safety. (affiliate link)
Consider placement of bath towels to prevent walking over a wet floor, and make sure rugs are not slippery on floors. Place regularly used items at counters in easy to access locations- to limit reaching and bending. This can improve safety, reduce pain, and maximize independence.
Kitchen set up is important for safety and independence. Keep frequently used kitchen tools within easy reach to limit reaching up high or bending over. Consider the daily routine and objects needed to set up the kitchen. Use boxes and containers to sort items into categories for ease of learning new placements. You may want to label drawers to help. Get rid of unnecessary or heavy cooking equipment. Place items close to where they will be used to limit carrying: utensils and plates close to table, glasses close to water source. Have clear written instructions for appliance safety if needed. Heavy plates and mugs might need to be replaced with lighter options. Post a cute reminder for medication or hydration!
Beyond the physical set up of the home, when you move, reassess safety with furniture set up. Make sure the furniture you bring is safe and supportive; correct height- chairs, couches, beds, and toilets. Armrests may be helpful for sitting balance support at kitchen tables, and provide improved ability to get up safely. You could use a non slip firm chair cushion to raise the seat of a couch or chair that is too low. Good back or neck support on couches is important for people with chronic pain. Rolling kitchen chairs, high stools and step stools can be hazardous as we age. Don’t place anything important in those tall hard to reach kitchen cabinets! Find easy access spots to place reachers in laundry, bed, and bathroom!
Moving Day considerations for seniors:
Review and use good body mechanics when lifting!
Prioritize sleep, and if at all possible make sure you have a good supportive mattress and pillow set up day one.
Drink water and stay hydrated. We emphasize that thought a lot during the hot summer months, but I have had many patients become dehydrated and sick during the winter months as well. Monitor your water intake with a cute measurable water bottle! (affiliate link)
Pay attention to your eating schedule. High or low blood sugar, and not enough protein, are common issues that can lead to someone becoming weak or unsteady. Don’t forget to eat, and eat something healthy! Have healthy snacks and drinks easily accessible.
Take your medications faithfully and correctly. Keep a brightly colored bag/ container with daily necessities in it so that it does not get misplaced during the move.
Take rest breaks and perform deep breathing as needed throughout the day! Have a fan and cold towels handy if it is hot.
Celebrate and rest when the day is done! And good luck on not losing any TV remotes!!!
I hope you find these tips helpful! For more senior living organizational tips, check out this post: 10 Tips to be an Organized Caregiver. If you are interested in senior care education and handouts check out the Organized Caregiver Ebook with 68 pages of printable instant download handouts!
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Do you have any good tips for moving as a senior or caregiver? We would love to hear from you! If you are ready to start your health organization journey, subscribe for weekly emails and a FREEBIE starter pack of senior health handouts.