It's never easy to move, even under the best of circumstances.But for senior citizens struggling to keep their independence, moving out of their longtime residences can be a huge adjustment, especially if they don't want to leave.So how do you determine when it's time for mom or dad to move?\"The leading sign for moving mom and dad is an unnecessary fall,\" said Ken Venables, public relations coordinator for Salt Lake County Aging Services. \"Intervene before it becomes a bad fall. Falling is the leading cause of losing independence.\"For those looking into safe, senior housing, multiple options are available.There are senior-friendly living communities that provide ground-level apartments — with no stairs. Or there are assisted-living facilities with professional care to meet the personal needs of each resident. Skilled nursing homes are also viable options.Transferring loved ones into independent, senior-friendly homes first is ideal, said Chantelle Knudson, spokeswoman for Highland Retirement Living in Salt Lake City. Then, if necessary, make the move to assisted care.When considering care, Knudson said it is important for family members to ask themselves this question: \"Is their quality of life going downhill in one form or another?\"Highland Cove Retirement Community resident Addi Yo Soy, 77, moved into one of the facility's independent apartments about a month ago.Yo Soy's daughter, Lore Acevedo, said she noticed her mother was losing her capacity to care for herself.\"She needed more care than I could give her,\" said Acevedo.She recognized her mother was having memory lapses and knew moving her would be the best option at that point.Carol Kostic, a family friend of Acevedo and Yo Soy, said it's easier to make the first move to a senior-friendly facility, which will allow for an easier transition later on if more care becomes necessary. \"It's so important to not wait until it's a 'have-to,'\" said Kostic. After looking at eight locations, Acevdo and Yo Soy decided on Highland Cove because of its garden-like surroundings and social opportunities.For those looking to move a parent, Acevedo suggests listening to the needs and wants of the parent when choosing a housing facility.\"We understand this journey is a difficult one, but we want her to feel respected in the process,\" said Acevedo.Aside from personal preference, the level of care a parent requires must be factored when choosing a new home. Ginny Echevarria, Highland Cove's director of marketing, said that there are three levels to consider.Level one includes independent seniors who may choose to downsize and move to a senior-friendly community. Some senior citizens can choose independent housing even if they require medical care, depending on the health care the facilities provide. Or they can hire home medical help.The second level of care is assisted living, with senior citizens in this group falling into two categories depending on their mobility.The first group includes those who can recognize danger and remove themselves from it without help as well as get out of chairs and use the restroom unassisted.The second group includes those who need assistance to get around.If more than one person is required to move the senior citizen, a skilled nursing facility would better fit their needs — the third level of senior living options.Serious medical needs and those with limited mobility are more likely candidates for skilled nursing facilities.After selecting the appropriate level of care, the moving process can begin. However, moving a lifetime of possessions can be a daunting task.Acevedo said the hardest part of moving her mother was letting go of things that were no longer useful.\"I learned to not resist. I think I resisted most my life,\" Yo Soy said about the moving process.Professional movers, specialized in orchestrating senior moves, can simplify the process. Across the country, movers are beginning to tap into this growing market, with some offering complete packing, moving and unpacking services.Professional organizer Cheryl Chandler of TAOrganize is just getting her feet wet in the senior-moving industry. \"There is a bigger and bigger need for help for these seniors to move and downsize,\" she said.Chandler is in the process of orchestrating her first senior move. Chandler is the only mover in Utah certified by the National Association of Senior Move Managers, according to the NASMM Web site.\"The training is basic. You get an understanding of why people hang onto things,\" Chandler said. \"Every situation is so different. It is so personal.\"Chandler said she'd advise someone preparing to move a senior that they should focus \"on downsizing and decluttering to decide what to take to the new location and make the best use of space.\"Senior move managers can come in handy during the decluttering process because of their outside perspective.\"It can be an overwhelming task to take on,\" Chandler said. \"Coming in as an outside person, not attached and not in the family dynamic, I can serve as a safe, neutral mediator.\"
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