Moving a Loved One with Dementia — From Someone Who Truly Understands



Moving someone with dementia or Alzheimer's isn't like any other move. The confusion, the anxiety, the fear of unfamiliar surroundings — it requires a team that genuinely understands cognitive decline, not one that's just read about it in a pamphlet.

I'm Brie, and caregiving is in my DNA.

I grew up very close to my great-grandmother and grandparents. Right out of high school, I went straight into healthcare — PSS first, then CRMA, then CNA. I went back for my Medical Assistant certification. I even started nursing school before shifting into healthcare documentation. Twenty years of my life, caring for veterans, hospice patients, and people living with Alzheimer's and dementia.

My patients were never just patients to me. I cared for them like they were my own family. Their families often told me I was like a daughter to them.

Then I met Steven and started S.B. Taylor Moving. But I couldn't stop being a caregiver — it's who I am. So I brought that part of me into our business, because the moving industry is completely lacking this. Completely. I understand what people with dementia need during a move better than anyone. I'd honestly say better than anyone in the country.

That's not a sales pitch. That's 20 years of holding hands, redirecting confusion, and learning what actually works when someone's sense of place and memory is compromised.

Why Dementia Moves Are Different

For someone living with dementia, familiar surroundings are an anchor. When those surroundings suddenly change, it can trigger increased confusion and agitation, wandering behavior, sleep problems, and sometimes accelerated cognitive decline.

How the move is handled matters enormously. A thoughtful transition that maintains familiar elements and minimizes chaos can help your loved one adjust. A rushed, chaotic move can set them back significantly.

How We Communicate — Calm, Clear, Never Rushed

This is the biggest difference between us and every other moving company.

After 20 years of caregiving, I learned that pace matters. You cannot speak quickly to someone with dementia. You cannot give too many instructions at once. You cannot use confusing language or make someone feel rushed — it only increases their anxiety and confusion.

Our team speaks slowly and clearly. We give one piece of information at a time. We make eye contact. We're patient when we need to repeat ourselves. We watch for signs of overwhelm and know when to pause.

This isn't something you can fake or learn from a training video. It comes from years of being there, in the room, with real patients. That experience shapes everything we do.

Our Process for Dementia Moves

Step 1: A Real Conversation

You reach out through our website or by phone, and we talk. Not a sales call — a conversation. We want to understand where your loved one is cognitively, what triggers their anxiety, what calms them, and what this transition means for your family.

Step 2: Easy Video Walkthrough

We send you a simple link — no apps, nothing to download. Click it, your camera opens, walk through the space, and when you're done it sends to us automatically. This lets us plan the move without an in-person visit that might confuse or upset your loved one. Case by case we can come in person, but the video usually gives us everything we need.

Step 3: We Identify Anchor Items

Through our conversation and the video, we identify the items that matter most — the chair they always sit in, the photos they look at every day, the blanket they reach for. These go in first at the new place, so when your loved one arrives, they immediately see something familiar.

Step 4: Timing It Right

We plan the move during your loved one's best hours, avoiding late afternoon when sundowning typically increases confusion. We coordinate with everyone involved — family, caregivers, facility staff — so the plan is clear.

Step 5: Move Day — Calm and Controlled

We typically recommend your loved one not be present during packing and loading — watching their home get taken apart can be traumatic. We work with you to arrange for them to be somewhere safe and comfortable during this phase. Our team keeps a calm, quiet energy throughout. No shouting, no chaos, no rushing.

Step 6: Recreating Home

At the new space, we recreate familiar layouts — furniture in similar positions, photos at the same eye level, bathroom set up the same way. We make the bed with their own bedding (familiar scents matter more than people realize). Anchor items are visible immediately. When your loved one walks in, it feels as close to home as possible.

For Adult Children Managing This From Afar

I know you're carrying a heavy load. You might be managing this from out of state, juggling it with your own family and job, or grieving the parent you remember while caring for the one in front of you.

We've helped hundreds of families in exactly your position. Our video walkthrough means you don't need to fly in just for an estimate. Our communication style means your parent won't be overwhelmed by fast-talking strangers. And our experience means we see problems before they happen.

Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on being there for your parent.

Let's Talk About Your Situation

Every dementia move is different, and we want to understand yours. Call us at (207) 502-4035 or request an estimate online. No rush, no pressure — just a real conversation about how we can help.

Your loved one deserves a team that truly gets it. After 20 years, I do.