Moving to a new home can be stressful at any age, but for older adults, it can be especially challenging. Many seniors face a wide range of emotions when relocating, including sadness, anxiety and fear. Relocation Stress Syndrome (RSS) is a condition that affects many older adults and can make the transition to a new living arrangement even more difficult. It’s important to understand RSS and how to manage it to ensure a smooth and successful relocation.
What is Relocation Stress Syndrome?
Relocation Stress Syndrome, also known as Transfer Trauma, is a condition that affects people who are moving from one living situation to another. This can include moving from a long-time family home to a senior living community, from one senior living community to another or from one level of care to another in the same senior living community – like from assisted living to skilled nursing care. RSS can manifest in many ways, including physical symptoms such as headaches and nausea, as well as emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Managing Relocation Stress Syndrome
Managing RSS requires a proactive and individualized approach that considers each individual’s unique needs and preferences. Here are some tips that can help older adults manage RSS in any transition:
- Create a Sense of Familiarity. To help them feel more comfortable in their new living situation, it’s important to create a sense of familiarity. This can be achieved by bringing familiar items from their previous home, such as furniture, photos, and personal belongings. Decorating their new space with familiar items can help, too.
- Encourage Socialization. Making new friends and establishing new routines can be challenging, but it’s essential to help them feel more connected and engaged in their new surroundings. Encouraging socialization can help them feel more supported and less isolated, which can reduce anxiety and depression.
- Provide Emotional Support. Moving to a new living situation can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s essential to provide emotional support throughout the transition. Offering counseling services, support groups and one-on-one support can help manage emotions and support them in feeling more confident in their new living situation.
- Involve Family and Friends. Family and friends can play an essential role in helping manage RSS. Involving family and friends in the relocation process can help them feel more supported and less alone. Regular visits and communication can help them stay connected to their loved ones and feel more secure in their new living situation.
Relocation Stress Syndrome can be a challenging condition for both the older adult who is moving to a new living situation and for those supporting the transition. By creating a sense of familiarity, encouraging socialization, providing emotional support and involving family and friends, old adults can successfully manage RSS and enjoy a smooth and successful relocation.
“My mom has lived in three levels of care at Inland Christian Home, with good experiences in all three. In Assisted Living, the rooms are like studio apartments with lovely patios. Their skilled nursing facility is very clean, and the staff are wonderful and joyful. The memory-care staff are absolutely amazing – my mom loves them so much.”
–Christina Kennedy