This blog was originally published on 9/22/2021 and updated on 9/16/2025.
Moving can be daunting at any age. For seniors, the emotional toll of moving and relocating can lead to moving anxiety and even depression. But there are ways to reduce moving anxiety and instead focus on the promise of new beginnings.
Every journey begins with a single step, and it’s no different from moving. There are so many steps in the process of senior downsizing, selling a home, packing belongings, and making the transition to a new lifestyle that can result in what psychologists call relocation stress syndrome (RSS). The effects can be both emotional and physical. That’s why it’s a good idea to acknowledge anxiety about moving and anxiety after moving and remember why you are feeling this way.
Here are seven suggestions to help you or a loved one learn how to cope with moving stress and ease the moving anxiety that can come with it.
1. Don’t go through it alone:
Get the support of those who are important in your life. It is so important to involve family, friends, perhaps a neighbor or even financial advisor in the process of moving to senior living. Being surrounded by the support of the valued people in your life helps ease moving anxiety and makes for a smoother transition.
2. Start downsizing:
It is never too early to start downsizing! Every bit helps and the sooner you begin, the sooner you will reduce your anxiety about moving. Whether you foresee a move next month or in five years, the more downsizing steps you take now, the easier your transition will be when you are ready to make the move. How about starting in the kitchen? You probably no longer need 10 skillets or 5 baking sheets. Your future self will thank you: Proactive steps today, less moving anxiety tomorrow!
Related: Downsizing Tips for Senior Independent Living Apartments
3. It’s okay to be sentimental:
As you work through the process of downsizing and relocating, be respectful of the sentimental attachment your loved one might have for certain belongings, even if you think it’ something that should be pitched. Forcing them to part with treasured mementos can increase their anxiety about moving. You may need to box a few things up and place them in your garage until you find a place for them in the senior’s new residence.
Consider starting with the non-emotional areas of your home, like your laundry room. It’s much easier to downsize items that have little to no emotional value rather than tackle family photo albums.
4. Follow a plan:
Remember when moving to senior living to take advantage of the move-in coordinator’s expertise and experience. They will be happy to let you peek at a few residents’ apartments to see how they are using their new space. Use the floor plans to help you decide which items you want to keep, and which might need to be left behind.
Related: How to Efficiently Organize a Senior Living Independent Apartment
Keep in mind that your goal is to create a lighter, more open living environment that inspires and energizes, rather than weighs you down. Also ask which moving communities are experienced in senior moves and get some estimates from them. Having a plan can go a long way toward reducing moving stress and making moving to senior living much easier.
5. Be a cheerful giver:
Part of moving anxiety is about letting go. You know you can’t take everything with you, and it might make you feel even better to know some of your most treasured items have a new home with a friend or a family member. You can always photograph your favorite collection of figurines or commemorative plates and enjoy looking at them on your phone, online, or in a photo album, while knowing they are safely located in a good home.
6. Familiarity is important:
Families are often tempted to buy new furniture and décor for a loved one who is making a transition. But for the senior, sticking with familiar things is important during this time when everything is changing. Having their favorite chair to curl up in next to their old, familiar end table and lamp can make the new space feel like home faster.
7. Don’t forget to laugh:
Finally, head into this process knowing things will go wrong along the way no matter how carefully you prepare. Make a pact to try to laugh off the small inconveniences and work together to solve the bigger ones. While the days might be quite hectic, remind yourself it is an opportunity to spend meaningful family time together.
How to cope with moving? Have a plan, get friends to help, be generous, don’t forget to laugh—and focus on what is next!
At St. Mark Village, you can live your best life, enjoy vibrant senior living, make new friends and rest easy with the security of knowing you have seamless access to future care options through Life Care. And when it comes to making an easy move, we have more than 40 years of experience fine-tuning the senior relocation process. Our transition teams are ready to help you make your move to our community easier and free of moving stress. We’ve love to tell you more!
Let’s talk about your future! Download our free Successful Transitions to Senior Living Guide or contact us.
