Placde The senior has made the move into a room or suite in a retirement residence. All the belongings were sorted, packed, stored, or donated to family or a charity. The packing was done; the movers came.
Now everything is piled in the new place. The senior is facing dozens of boxes and feeling overwhelmed.
This is the time that a family member or friend can assist with the settling process. If this same person also helped with the preparation and packing, it will be even more helpful.
Organizing the Unpacking
Professional movers know enough to place any furniture first and then bring in the boxes. If the moving is done by family and friends, try to make sure that happens.
Consider the following suggestions before starting to unpack
Decide with the senior how the job will be tackled. This was probably discussed before the move, but
it it is a good idea to summarize what is going to happen and in what order.
Finalize the placement of any furniture that was moved. If possible, make up the bed, put cushions
on any chairs, and put towels in the bathroom. That instantly says ‘settled’.
Position any pet items in an appropriate place. For example, place a litter box or food dish where they will be staying.
Test the phone and the television. If they were scheduled to be connected and are not, call in a service request immediately.
t is usually easiest to fill empty closets quickly, whether the clothes were packed and need hanging, or if they were carried over on hangers..
Fill dresser and cabinet drawers, including the bathroom. The boxes should have been labeled well so this is an easy job.
Put any dishes, kettle, toaster, microwave, etc in the kitchenette if there is one.
Place any lamps in appropriate places and test that they work. Electrical plugs are often connected to wall switches.
Make sure at least one clock is visible, working and and set to the correct time.
Leave any of small breakable items - China, figurines, knick-knacks - until last when it will be easier to decide where they will go.
As the boxes are emptied, break them down and, if possible, move them out of the room.
Take frequent breaks, perhaps getting a cup of tea in the residents’ lounge.
Just do what she wants, making suggestions only if asked. There is nothing placed that cannot be moved later on.
Do not try to do everything at once. As long as the room or suite is fairly comfortable, the rest can be left for the next few days. Be sensitive to the physical and mental fatigue of the senior. She needs a chance to catch her breath.
Follow-Up to the Move
Before the senior is left on her own, make sure she knows the time of the next meal, and how to get to the dining room.
There are a few follow-up suggestions that will probably help settle the senior.
Return the next day or two to help finish unpacking in stages.
Hang pictures when the senior has had time to decide what goes where on the walls.
Check to see if the cleaning and dining routines are working out as expected.
Make sure that there is a calendar of events in the room, and discuss what might be of interest.
Phone daily for a few days to check that she is feeling comfortable, is going to meals, or is needing anything.
Then, it is probably time to resume a regular routine of visiting or phone calls so the newly-moved senior can begin this new phase of her life.
Constance Woloschuk - 30 years experience in management and organizational development; extensive volunteer work with faith-based organizations.
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