Moving House Elderly Parents: Helping Aging Loved Ones Relocate

Moving House Elderly Parents: Helping Aging Loved Ones Relocate

Helping elderly parents downsize and move to a new home—whether a smaller house, apartment, or assisted living facility—is emotionally and logistically challenging. Respecting their autonomy while providing practical support requires sensitivity and patience.

Starting the Conversation

• Approach the topic with empathy and respect
• Focus on positive aspects of the new space
• Involve them in decision-making as much as possible
• Acknowledge the emotional difficulty of leaving a long-time home

Downsizing Strategies

Help Them Prioritize: Work together to decide what to keep:

• Essential furniture for the new space
• Items with strong sentimental value
• Things they use regularly
• Family heirlooms to pass to younger generations

Create Categories:

• Keep for new home
• Give to family members now
• Donate to charity
• Sell (estate sale or online)
• Discard

Emotional Support

Moving from a long-time home can trigger grief:

• Allow plenty of time for the process
• Let them say goodbye to the home
• Take photos of meaningful rooms and details
• Create memory books with items they’re keeping

Timing and Logistics

• Plan the move well in advance
• Schedule during their best energy times of day
• Arrange for help on moving day
• Have the new home set up before they arrive

“The goal is to help your parent move to their new home while honoring the life they built in their old one.”