Moving an elderly parent from one state to another is a big transition for any family. Beyond the logistics of hiring packing and moving services, you’re supporting someone you love through a major life change and trying to make the move feel safe and manageable.
You’re not alone in this — it’s happening more and more across the country. Recent US Census Bureau data shows that older adults move more often than many people expect. About 8.4 percent of adults over 85 move to a new home, which is higher than the roughly 6 percent of younger seniors aged 65 to 75.
If you’ve decided a relocation is the best option for your parent, the practical work piles up fast. There are medical records to transfer, new doctors to find, legal documents to update, and decisions to make about housing and care. At the same time, you’ll also be navigating the emotional side of the move. Leaving a long-time home can bring up memories, hesitation, and mixed feelings.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide and checklist for moving elderly parents — so you can help keep the process grounded and give everyone a steadier path forward.
Top Reasons for Moving an Elderly Parent From One State to Another
Why move in the first place? Families will decide to relocate a parent for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the shift is prompted by health needs. Other times it might be about bringing loved ones closer together or simplifying the cost of living.
Parents Need More Assistance
One of the primary reasons for moving elderly parents to another state is the need for more day-to-day support. As mobility, memory, or medical needs change, it often becomes more challenging for them to manage their routines independently.
When to move an elderly parent? A move makes sense when safety becomes a concern or when it’s clear your parent would benefit from being closer to consistent help. This can manifest in different ways. Perhaps they’re falling more often, forgetting to take their medications, or having trouble maintaining their home.
In such cases, moving an elderly parent from one state to another can help with putting them in a safer environment with more reliable care. The goal is to bring them to a place where daily life feels more supported and less stressful.
Checklist for Moving Elderly Parents to Another State
As with any big life change, moving out of state can feel more manageable when you break it into clear, simple steps. This checklist is designed to keep the process organized and give your parent time to understand and adjust to the transition.
These steps will guide you through the earliest decisions and conversations all the way to moving day.
First Steps To Take Before Planning the Move
Before you start packing or book long-distance movers, you’ll need to have a few conversations and create a plan that everyone can be on board with.
Begin With a Discussion
Start with an open conversation that includes your parent and any family members who will be involved in the move or providing care. This gives everyone space to talk through concerns, hopes for the move, and what kind of support will be needed.
Your parent should feel included in decisions that affect their daily life. Looking at housing options together — touring homes, reviewing floor plans, and getting their input on what matters most — can help them stay engaged and give them a sense of control during the transition.
Determine a Budget for the Move and the New Living Arrangements
Consider moving costs, new housing expenses, ongoing care needs, and any changes to your parent’s insurance or medical coverage. A clear budget will help guide your decisions and keep the move aligned with your parent’s long-term needs.
Allow Plenty of Time for the Transition
A long-distance move often becomes easier when it happens slowly. Creating a detailed moving checklist and planning the move six to eight weeks in advance can give your parent a buffer to prepare — practically and emotionally — for life in their new home. That way, they can schedule any final appointments, notify friends and neighbors, sort through their belongings, and say goodbye to familiar places before leaving town — all without rushing.
Planning and Moving Elderly Parents to Another State
Once you’ve finalized those early decisions like the budget and the moving timeline, the next phase is putting a detailed plan in place for the move itself. This part of the process covers housing, medical needs, downsizing, legal preparation, and the logistics of the actual move.
Finalize Housing
Your first major decision will be figuring out where exactly your parent will live. This could be a downsized home, an assisted living community, or a designated room in your own house.
What type of relocation is most common for older adults? According to a recent 2024 study, 39 percent of adults who moved after the age of 65 relocated to a nursing home (i.e., an assisted living facility). A smaller percentage move in with a family member or into a downsized home on their own.
While assisted living is the most common option for older adults, though, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Take the time to talk with your parent about their needs so you can both land on a place that truly feels like home for them.
Handle Medical Necessities
Staying on top of prescriptions, medical records, and new providers can reduce stress and ensure your parent gets consistent care. Most families find it helpful to begin this step early since appointments and record transfers can take time.
It’s a good idea to start by finding new healthcare providers in your parent’s new city, notifying their current doctors about the move, and making sure they have access to the prescriptions they need to last the transition.
Downsize in Advance
Home downsizing can be emotional. Make decisions early on about what to donate, sell, or discard before the move to prevent last-minute stress and give your parent time to look through their belongings at a comfortable pace. Encourage them to bring only the things that matter most and let go of what no longer serves them.
Prepare Financial and Legal Documents
A long-distance move is the perfect time to review and update your parent’s important paperwork — like their power of attorney, change of address forms, insurance details, and coverage updates. Getting these financial and legal documents in order now can prevent confusion and make sure your parent has the right support in their new state. Doing this with your parent can also give you more clarity about what documents will be needed for future appointments or applications.
Hire a Moving Service
Professional movers can take on the heavy lifting so you can focus on your parent’s comfort during the transition. A full-service team can pack your parent’s belongings, disassemble their furniture, load everything up, transport it, and even unpack it all in the new place, which makes the process easier for everyone involved.
Determine Personal Transportation
Talking through how to move an elderly parent to another state is just as important as any other decision during this process. You might consider direct flights for quick, simple travel, driving if they plan to keep their car, or hiring medical transport for higher-needs situations. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to pack snacks, comfort items, and any needed medications for the journey. If you can, also try to build in extra time to make the trip as calm and predictable as possible.
Moving elderly parents can be a tall order, but taking your time, staying organized, and working with them during this significant change will improve the experience for everyone.
Helping Elderly Parents Settle in After Moving
The first days in their new home will set the tone for how your parent adjusts. During this stage, a little preparation can go a long way in helping them feel grounded and reassured about the move.
Prepare the New Home or Room Before Their Arrival
If you have time, organize your parent’s new space and set up familiar furniture, photos, and daily essentials before they walk in so they feel at home right away. These small touches can ease the emotional shift of leaving their previous home.
Schedule Appointments To Meet New Doctors
Once your parent is settled, connect with their new healthcare providers early. Schedule appointments with their primary care providers, set up specialist visits, and plan follow-up appointments related to transferring their medical records, if needed. If possible, try to meet their doctors in person to ensure their medical care remains consistent after the move.
Get Them Involved in Local Groups and Introduce Them to Neighbors
Introduce your parent to their neighbors, encourage them to join local community groups, or accompany them to activity clubs to help them build a support network and stay engaged. Even small interactions will keep them from feeling lonely and strengthen their sense of belonging in their new home.
Why Colonial Van Lines Is a Great Choice for Moving an Elderly Parent From One State to Another
Moving an elderly parent across state lines often requires more support than a standard household move. Families need reliability, clear communication, and a team that can manage all the details of a long-distance transition with care.
That’s where Colonial Van Lines comes in. Our team of highly trained experts specializes in long-distance interstate moves and are there for you every step of the way. We’re here to carefully pack, haul, and transport your parent’s belongings to their new home, whether it's located in the next state over or across the country. Our goal is to take on the physical work so you can stay focused on your parent’s comfort and well-being during the transition.
Making the Move Easier for You and Your Parent
Moving an elderly parent from one state to another requires planning, patience, and clear communication. However, taking the right approach can make the entire process more organized and less stressful.
When you’re ready to begin the process, our team at Colonial Van Lines is here to help. Visit us online for a fast, free quote and see how our long-distance moving team can support your family during this important transition.