Comprehensive guide to moving with seniors: 13 key tips & considerations

Whether you’re helping parents relocate after retirement or coordinating a transition into long-term care, this guide offers advice for navigating the changes.

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Updated Mon, August 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM UTC

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An older woman and her daughter discuss moving

"Most older adults in America will have to make a move at some point," said registered nurse (RN) Melanie Sheckels, "whether it's to downsize, to go from a two-story house to a house with no stairs or to move into assisted living or long-term care." Sheckles is also an "end-of-life doula" (someone who guides older adults and their loved ones through the dying process) and founder of Threshold Doula .

Regardless of the reason, helping an aging loved one move requires care and attention. From emotional and medical considerations to packing and changing addresses, there's much to consider when moving with aging adults.

A quick note on the language in this article

Terms like "elderly," "old" and "senior citizen" are considered less appropriate today when referring to older adults. Using guidance from the Associated Press , the National Institute on Aging and Washington University's School of Public Health , this article uses "older adults" and "aging adults" or similar terms instead. While its use is becoming somewhat controversial, the term "senior" appears intermittently throughout this article.

13 key steps for moving with older adults

Senior couple carrying moving boxes into new house — An older couple carrying moving boxes into new house

These steps will help you support your loved one as they move to a new home, retirement community or assisted living.

1) Communicate openly about the move

While discussing the need for a move can be challenging, it's important to include your loved one in the conversation — especially if they're moving into assisted living, long-term care or hospice care.

"I see a lot of people planning in secret, then springing the plan on [their loved ones]," said Sheckels. But not including your aging adult in the conversation can cause stress — mental, emotional and physical — and lead to medical events, such as strokes or heart attacks.

No matter what kind of transition you're navigating, Sheckels emphasizes the importance of open communication. "Start the conversation when the older adult still has control and can orient in a consensual way."

2) Consider working with a senior housing advisor

Reach out to a senior housing advisor (SHA) for guidance if you're unsure of the type of living arrangement your aging relative needs or how to find the right location.

Senior housing advisors can:

Help explain different types of senior housing
Conduct rigorous research into facilities and verify legal compliance
Coordinate medical and intake processes
Track paperwork and documentation
Offer practical help on moving day

Lisa Satin is an SHA at Tailored Advisory Solutions in Seattle and the education co-chair of Washington's Association of Senior Referral Providers . "Moving is tricky for anybody of any age," Satin said. "But when you get older, it's even harder."

SHAs like Satin offer "boots-on-the-ground support" to help older adults find the best and most affordable senior housing options. To find an SHA in your area, search for terms like "senior housing advisor," "senior care advisor" or "senior living advisor," plus your city and state.

3) Calculate your senior's moving costs

An older woman receives help from her adult daughter to calculate moving expenses and establish a budget ahead of a big move

Before taking action, establish what you can afford. If your loved one plans to continue living independently, your costs may be relatively low. However, care facilities "are not cheap, and [they're] getting more expensive by the minute," said Satin.

Consider the following questions:

How much will the move cost? (Account for care costs, airfare, fuel, packing materials and movers.)
How much can you and your loved one each afford to contribute?
Does your loved one have insurance or benefits (such as VA benefits) that cover assisted living or long-term care?

If you don't have the necessary funds, a senior housing advisor can help you research affordable care options.

4) Consider a senior relocation service or moving company

Depending on your situation and budget, hiring a conventional moving company may be all you need. Specialty senior relocation services are also available if you and your family need more specialized support.

A senior move manager (SMM) can oversee your move and help make the process as stress-free as possible. To find a vetted SMM near you, use this search tool from the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers .

5) Make a moving checklist

Stay organized by making a detailed checklist divided into different phases. Instead of tackling everything at once, decide what needs your attention each week leading up to moving day. If you're working with an SHA, you may be able to request a customized moving checklist.

6) Get a head start on downsizing and packing

Senior couple moving to a new home — An older couple packs up their belongings as they prepare to move

Packing is one of the most complicated and time-consuming parts of moving, especially for those who have lived in the same house for many years. Pack one room at a time over a few weeks or months to make the process more manageable. To ease the post-move process, pack with unpacking in mind.

When you're helping a loved one downsize, it's important to be sensitive to the emotional challenges of the process. "Older adults are in a stage of life that's about reflection and meaning-making," Sheckels said. "The act of sorting through belongings and memories can take time and care." If possible, Sheckels recommends downsizing gradually over several years.

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7) Choose transportation based on your senior's needs

When deciding how to travel, discuss your options and consult your loved one's doctor or care team for recommendations. While some people might benefit from an expedited journey, others might need to travel more slowly.

Jeanne Glinski, a registered nurse, certified case manager and hospice care nurse, recommends considering durable medical equipment when planning transportation. Specialized wheelchairs or other mobility aids may impact how your loved one can travel, so make sure to book accessible accommodations along the way.

Here, we'll look at three transportation options for moving with older adults.

Driving with seniors

Driving can be challenging for older adults with serious medical conditions or disabilities.

Even for those without major health concerns, "sitting in a car increases [the] risk of a deep vein thrombosis," said Sheckels. During extended travel, she recommends taking breaks to stretch every two hours. Sheckels also noted that "older folks tend to need the bathroom more frequently," so plan for this when traveling by car.

Flying with seniors

Book nonstop flights if possible. Especially if your loved one has mobility issues, reducing travel time and layovers can help ease the physical stress of traveling.

If needed, contact your airline in advance to arrange boarding assistance, special seating arrangements, an airport escort or other assistance.

Medical transport

For those who need it, some senior relocation services offer non-emergency medical transport for older adults with disabilities or unique medical needs. Medical transportation may be helpful if your loved one requires supplemental oxygen or full-time nurse attendance, for example.

As Glinski points out, those with VA benefits can access medical transportation through the Veterans Transportation Program .

8) Plan around healthcare needs

An older woman smiles during a doctor's visit prior to a big move

Sheckels said moving can affect everything from our cardiovascular systems to digestion. Depending on their health, your loved one may have medical needs that should be addressed before, during or after the move.

Here, we'll look at how to manage health care needs for an older adult before, during and after a big move.

Before the move

Regardless of health status, older adults should get a checkup before moving, Sheckels said. This will help you and your loved one gauge current medical needs and anticipate others that may arise during or after the move. If your loved one is moving into a care facility, they may also need a medical assessment before arriving.

Here are some additional health-related steps to follow before moving:

Acquire copies of your loved one's medical records
Secure a 90-day supply of medications
Ensure your loved one has comparable medical care in their new location
Transfer prescriptions
Find out if your loved one's medical insurance policy needs to be changed or updated, and make sure they will have access to in-network providers
Set up a power of attorney and travel with a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form for your loved one in case of emergency

During the move

While in transit, consider the following:

Keep medications and medical devices accessible
Travel with a first-aid kit containing backup medications and supplies
Stick to a main route with easy access to medical services
Set alarms for medication, as travel can interfere with routines and memory
Take breaks

After the move

Once you arrive at your destination, help your loved one arrange an initial visit with their new primary care provider. As Glinski notes, getting established early will help your aging loved one access the care they need when they need it.

9) Help your loved one make practical arrangements

Here are some ways to offer practical support to your aging loved one during the move process:

Submit a change-of-address form to USPS
Help them change their mailing address on online accounts
Contact utility companies to cancel or transfer service

Especially if your loved one experiences cognition or memory issues, offering practical support for these easy-to-overlook tasks is invaluable. Check out our guide for more on how to forward mail before a move.

10) Make arrangements for loved one's pets

In some cases, your loved one's pet may be able to travel with them, depending on the type of pet and mode of travel. For more on relocating with animals, read Yahoo Local's ultimate guide to moving long-distance with pets .

11) Consider the emotional toll of moving

Relocation can take an immense toll on older adults, physically and emotionally.

According to the Wisconsin Board on Aging & Long Term Care , relocation stress syndrome, or "transfer trauma," can lead to depression, anxiety, confusion or agitation. It can also lead to changes in health and personality, especially for those with memory or cognition issues or a dementia spectrum disorder.

Even for older adults without significant health concerns, moving often marks a major life shift. This can bring up complex emotions and even grief. Being patient, keeping a positive outlook and discussing the transition optimistically can help your aging parent or relative cope.

12) Plan extra time

Sheckels emphasized the importance of going slow when moving with aging loved ones. "Know in advance that this person is going to have extra needs," she recommends. "Plan extra time and slowness to tend to them as they arise."

When moving with elderly relatives or other older adults, keep a healthy, sustainable pace. This will mean a slower overall process, but it will also mean a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

13) Help your loved one settle in after the move

Reserve time to help your loved one unpack and arrange their home in a comforting and familiar way. Having company and support can help older individuals feel less alone as they adjust to a new phase of life.

If your loved one was involved in activities before they moved, help them find similar ones in their new community. Whether it's pickleball, bingo or poker, Glinski recommends prioritizing ways to help your loved one make friends and mitigate loneliness. If necessary, help your loved one set up recurring deliveries of groceries, meals, medical supplies or other necessities, she said.

Patience and planning are key when moving with seniors

Senior couple sitting on a floor while renovating house, cardboard boxes are around them — A senior couple sitting on a floor with cardboard boxes around them

Moving can feel daunting — coordinating a full move for an aging loved one may feel overwhelming. With time, patience and planning, you and your loved ones can make it through this transition smoothly.

Start early, keep an open dialogue and create a detailed moving checklist. Check with your loved one's doctor and make as many arrangements in advance as possible. Once you arrive at your destination, dedicate time to helping your loved one adjust to their new home and community. Most importantly, go as slowly as needed and keep a positive outlook. Remember that moving can have significant physical and emotional effects on older adults.

Sometimes, we "just need to move a little bit slower, with some extra support to navigate the changes," said Sheckles.

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