About Me

 Moving Without The Mayhem

You never know when you will have to sell your house and move to a new place, but unfortunately, that was what I was faced with a few years back. I realized that I was really having a difficult time making ends meet, and so I started evaluating my options. Moving and relocating was simple, and I was really focused on saving cash. I found a cheaper apartment that worked well for my needs, and I began cutting out extra expenses to pare down the spending. I wanted to start a new website all about moving without the mayhem, so I made this little blog.

Search

Categories

Latest Posts

Moving Without The Mayhem

Three Tips For Handling Moving Day When Caring For Someone With Dementia

by Erika Bell

Caring for someone with dementia on a day-to-day basis is stressful enough, but it can be particularly taxing when you're trying to pack, direct movers, and deal with other tasks related to relocating to another home. Here are three things you can do to minimize the strain on you and your loved one when moving day rolls around.

Stick to the Schedule Whenever Possible

People with dementia need the security of a set schedule to function. Sudden and significant changes can cause them to become agitated and uncooperative, requiring more of your attention than normal to deal with. Although the process of moving will be disruptive overall, do what you can to keep your loved on his or her daily routine as much as possible.

Try to move when it will be the least disruptive to your loved one's schedule. If your loved one goes to a senior center for a few hours every Wednesday, do the bulk of your moving activities while they are away from the home, for instance. This lets you focus your attention and energy on getting your belongings packed and loaded, which may make the whole process go faster.

Choose a Quiet Area for Your Loved One

Another thing you can do is place your loved on in the quietest area of the home, far away from the noise and traffic of the moving activity. If possible, leave your loved one's room until the very end, so he or she can rest peacefully in a familiar environment. It can be particularly upsetting for your loved one to see strangers moving throughout the home removing the family's valuables. Placing him or her in a private area can minimize the risk he or she will encounter the movers or that your family member will be disturbed by the noise.

Additionally, you can give your loved one a few simple things to do to help him or her feel as though he or she is contributing and has some control over the situation. A common reason people with dementia have a hard time with change is that they don't feel like they have any say in what's happening to them. By getting your loved one involved in the process, you can provide him or her with a sense of inclusion that can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety about relocating.

Move During Times of Low Activity

Lastly, move during a time when there's isn't as much activity going on in the neighborhood or on the roadways, preferably in the early morning. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, empty roads mean you'll get to your destination faster, which can be a lifesaver if you have to make multiple trips between your old home and the new one. Early morning moves also mean you get moving staff who are fresh and energetic, so the packing and loading may go quicker than expected.

Second, by moving in the morning, you'll also avoid Sundowning Syndrome. This is when a person with dementia becomes more confused and agitated as the day wears on, usually due to fatigue and stress. Moving day will go infinitely better if you make the move at the beginning of the day rather than the end. Your loved one will usually be calmer and in a better frame of mind after getting a good night's sleep, minimizing the risk of outbursts or troubling behavior.

Some moving companies have staff on hand who deal specifically with planning moves involving people with dementia, so you may want to take advantage of this expertise if the moving company you select has a staff member like this available.

To learn more about moving, contact moving companies in your area.

Share