Those of us who’ve tried to get our gramma on a mover’s dolly know that she really objects when you try to strap her in. You tell her that it’s for her own good, but since she just recently ran the Boston Marathon, your pleas fall on deaf ears.

Not really hearing-impaired ears. She can distinguish a dropped pin in a neighbor’s house two blocks away.

Bargaining and Losing

Throughout anyone’s life, they’ve collected a lot of treasures. Probably a lot of junk, too. If you’re moving a Senior to their own place, sure bet it’s a smaller abode. On the other hand, bringing your aging father to your house, since we live in three-dimensions, there’s no place to store the stuff in another space and time.

Be prepared for some lively discussions.

We all just want to get along. Stepping-off on the wrong foot by arguing whether an aging parent or grandparent truly needs that string of paperclips that they and the spouse put together on their honeymoon leads to bad blood right at the start.

Here are some ideas that might make the relocation of an elderly family member go a long way toward peace, love and understanding:

• Once you’ve agreed on what stays by their side you might have to put some of their things in storage. Seek out a business in their new location that can do good by their antiques and other things they consider valuable. Another matter worth considering is storing some of your own possessions along with theirs. A good rule is to store items that – if they’re moving in with you – put in deep freeze whatever doesn’t fit-it with your own décor. Got kids? Fragile dishes, knick-knacks and important antiques are not likely to be damaged if it’s off-site.
• For the things that you’re elderly boarder can part with, hold a yard sale. Bring-in some of your own junk to unload. Anything left behind, donate it to a charity. Make sure you get receipts. Tax write-offs are a great way to get something in return. And it helps the needy.
• Collect copies of all medical records. Put them somewhere that you can give to their new provider. Prescriptions? Get 90-days worth of refills and make an appointment with the new doctor ASAP.
• Head to the Post Office and file an address change.
• Any subscriptions, memberships, credit cards, etc. need to get the new address. Same goes for their friends, neighbors and other family folk. Don’t rely on the PO to get everything right.
• If they have a Safety Deposit Box, remove all items and rent one in a bank – preferably near where they will soon be living.
• Call all of the utility companies that supply services to the old location. Set-up a turn-off date – usually two days after they vacate the premises. Same goes for the new place. Don’t want mom to sit in the dark playing solitaire, eating MRE’s and drinking from a jug of bottled water.
• Get all valuables appraised in writing. You’ll want this to either add to your homeowner’s policy or a new insurer at their new locale. That includes everything that may end-up in storage.
• Professionals need to be retained to move antiques. Talk to both your and your parent’s insurance agent about getting moving protection for everything that’s being transported.
• Do they have plants? Best to give them to a neighbor. During a move, they usually up-and-die. Get some new ferns once they’ve settled in.