Ting and I attended a very informative training this week put on by the Alzheimer Society. 
We found out the number of people who live with dementia in BC is over 70,000 and the risk for dementia doubles every five years after age 65.
Since our clientele is generally 75-105 years old, we need to recognize the signs of dementia and incorporate special techniques into our moving services to maximize the health and safety of our clients. We also need to use our experience and training to help family members avoid common pitfalls during the move.
The changes caused by moving from a familiar home to brand new surroundings can be terribly disorienting for anyone, much less for a person with memory loss and challenges with problem-solving.
If you’re facing this situation, this article from the Mayo Clinic offers great advice on how to prepare for a loved one’s move.
We wholeheartedly agree with all of the ideas in this article. Most importantly, when moving a person with dementia, special care and attention should be taken to prepare for the move, coordinate the move itself, and follow-up during the first few months after the move so that the transition can be as safe, healthy and low-stress as possible.
Resources:
Alzheimer’s: Smoothing the transition on moving day
Alzheimer Society of BC
We Can Help
In our community, many elderly people do not have family members living nearby who can take these extra steps to make the transition as comfortable as possible for them. The good new is, we can help. We can also provide support to caregivers who need an extra set of hands on move day, advice on how to set up the new home, or we can get rid of things that can’t fit into the new home. Give us a call to find out more.
