Tips for Relocating Older Relatives

Whether you have aging parents or relatives moving to a retirement community, an assisted living center, or into your own home, managing their relocation can often be a stressful and emotional event. Here are some tips for easing the transition for both you and your elders:

• Talk to siblings and other close relatives about sharing the responsibilities of the move. If all of the work falls on your shoulders, ask friends for support to avoid the move taking over your personal life.


• Take your elderly relative to the doctor for an opinion about what kind of home care is best. Communicate your expectations and discuss what options you can afford.


• Factor in emotions. Most likely your relative will resist leaving the household that he or she has been in charge of for years. As long as they have cognitive skills, your relatives will want to make their own decisions. Try to let your relatives assert some independence as far as sorting out which items will be moving with them and which will be donated or sold.


• Be realistic about how much time you have to help pack and move. Packing and unpacking a three-bedroom home is estimated to take 80 to 90 hours. You may want to hire a professional organizer as well as professional movers.


• If your relative is moving in with you, consider safety and accessibility issues, space for medical supplies, and plans for bathing. Also, have an emergency plan in place.


• Be positive about the new living situation. Show your relatives any floor plans or brochures to help them visualize their new home.

Choosing a New School for Your Child

If you are moving or considering a move to a new location, you may be faced with choosing a new school for your child. Do your homework when visiting schools so you can decide which learning environment is best for your child to thrive. Here are some tips:

• Read about the schools you will be visiting ahead of time. Check out reviews on GreatSchools.net as well as reading articles about schools in your local newspaper.


• Schedule visits to the schools you are considering. Find out if you will be able to meet the principal and a few teachers while you are there.


• Ask lots of questions. Which programs is the school known for? What is the school's approach to discipline? How is technology used to support learning?


• Observe the school environment. How well are the school facilities maintained? Do the classrooms seem cheerful? Do students seem enthusiastic and well-behaved?


• Consider the needs of your child. A shy child may do better in a school with a smaller class size. If your child has a strong interest in science or the arts, you may want to choose a school specializing in those programs.


• Ask around the neighborhood. Find out how other parents feel about the schools you are considering and, if possible, try to meet the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

Housing Market Shows Signs of Bottoming Out

Housing prices rose between April and May, the first increase in three years, according to a 20-city home price index released today. Although prices have fallen by 32 percent since last peaking in 2006, the 0.5 percent increase in May was the fourth consecutive month that the decline slowed. The figures could be a sign of improvement in the worst housing market since the Great Depression. However, analysts caution that unemployment and foreclosures could increase again and a stable recovery is not expected until at least 2010. For a rebound to truly emerge, consumer confidence needs to rise and potential buyers need to have a sense that they shouldn't wait for prices to get any cheaper.

Take Online Moving Company Reviews Lightly

As more and more people spend more time communicating online, consumer review sites have become a popular resource for choosing everything from restaurants to dry cleaners. When choosing a moving company, online reviews can be helpful, but readers should beware that those reviews may not be written by actual customers. Overly positive reviews may be written by the company's employees or publicists, while overly negative reviews may be written by that company's competitors. When searching for a moving company, take online reviews into consideration, but also look into the company's press, the size of their truck fleet, and ask as many questions as you can when you call them on the phone. Also, consulting the Better Business Bureau is a reliable way to research a company's reputation.

Handle With Care: Moving After a Crisis

Relocation is sometime the result of an unfortunate event such as a divorce, death, illness, or job loss. The emotional trauma associated with the life-changing events can add grief to an already stressful situation, which is the move itself. The important thing to remember is that you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of your move. Here are some tips for coping with a move during difficult times:

• Focus your energy on the tasks at hand. If you are moving in the middle of or after a crisis, your emotions are likely affecting your decisions. Think carefully about each part of your move and try not to make rash decisions. Your instinct may be to throw away or burn items associated with a bad memory, but there are other options that may make more sense, such as selling or donating those items.


• Ask for help. If you feel overwhelmed, don't be afraid to turn to your friends, family, or neighbors for help. They are probably already wondering if there is something that they can do to make your move easier. Having an extra hand in packing sentimental items or an extra pair of eyes to babysit can make all the difference. Seeking professional help can also make a huge impact on your health and well-being during an especially trying time.


• Be good to yourself. Get enough rest and don't over-exert yourself. Hire a moving company to handle your move if you don't feel physically well enough to do the heavy lifting. Know that it will take time to heal from the unfortunate events, and that moving to a new place is part of moving forward.