Moving An Older Parent: Getting Through The Meltdown Phase

Emotional Fallout When Moving An Older Parent

If you thought moving your older parent(s) was going to be easy as 1, 2, 3, you are living in a cave! Besides the demands of the actual move....packing up decades of tschotskes, there is the emotional avalanche which comes with the whole process. Did I mention mood swings? Moving is a big deal for everyone...but for someone in their late eighties or beyond a move can shake the emotional tree like an unwanted storm. So be prepared for a bit of a roller coaster ride as you begin to help your older parent make a significant change.

When Older Adults change Their Mind About Moving

There will be somedays when your mom or dad announces that they have changed their mind and they are not moving. Or you may find that your loved one channels Gandhi and decides to advance a peaceful yet defiant protest, refusing to sign any importqant paperwork involved in a planned mood.

When Older Adults Are Ambibvalent About Moving

My advice would be to be gentle with mom and or dad and to let some of these storms pass. There will be a lot of ambivalence about moving and confused emotions. Leave some breathing time for an older adult to have their tantrums and meltdowns. Let the dust settle (no pun intended). Ask any adult child who has been through the moving ordeal with an older parent......it all works out and often for the better.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists