The Do's And Don't Of Moving An Alzheimer's Patient From Their Home To Yours

22 June 2016
 Categories: , Blog


Even if you have the best memory or psychological well-being, moving can take an emotional toll. However, for a person who struggles with Alzheimer's disease, moving can mean a drastic change in temperament and well-being. Moving means chaotic schedules, lacking routines, and of course, a change in surroundings, all of which can be upsetting for someone who struggles with Alzheimer's disease. If you are in charge of helping a family member move who has Alzheimer's disease, there are a few do's and don'ts you should keep in mind that may help smooth the transition. 

Do start talking about the move as early as you possibly can. 

From the moment you know for certain the individual will be moving, start discussing what will happen right away with your family member. The sooner you start sharing and discussing plans, the less likely it will be that they become agitated when moving does start taking place. 

Don't try to keep the move a secret. 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with an Alzheimer's sufferer is to make an abrupt change in their environment. If the family member does not suspect the move, just springing such a major change on them is bound to cause distress. 

Do move everything a little at a time. 

In addition to packing and preparing early on, it is a good idea to move a little at a time to prevent a drastic change in surroundings for your family member. Start with smaller items in boxes, which will likely not be as noticeable, and work your way toward moving bigger things. 

Don't allow the Alzheimer's patient to be around on the day of the big move. 

When the final day of moving comes along, it will be best if the Alzheimer's patient is not in the house. They could be upset by seeing strange people packing away all of their things and confused even more by what is taking place. 

Do set up a comfortable, familiar setting at the new place. 

Whether the Alzheimer's sufferer is moving in with you or another family member, make sure they have a familiar spot in the new place. Before you make the final transition, set up a space filled with the person's furniture and items in a familiar way. For example, if they will be staying in a spare bedroom at your home, situate their bed, dresser and even wall decor in a similar fashion as what they had at their own home. 

Keeping these tips in mind should help make moving your loved one with Alzheimer's easier. For the best results, you should also work with a professional moving company like Christos & Christos Moving and Storage and make sure they're aware of the situation so their actions can take your loved one's condition into account as they help with the move. 


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