Addressing family needs, not just those of the partner or spouse, is essential for a successful relocation, and with an aging population, elder care concerns are becoming as important as child care issues. Linda Russell analyses the relocation needs of children and the elderly.

Relocation requires openness to change, which can be challenging for single or married/partnered adults, but imagine what it means to a child. A child moving with his or her parents is not a new concept, but an increasing number of surveys, articles, and industry discussions continue to highlight the importance of addressing not just employee or spouse/partner needs, but family needs during a relocation.

According to the 2006 “Global Relocation Trends Survey” report, conducted by GMAC Global Relocation, Woodridge, IL, in association with the National Foreign Trade Council, Washington, DC, 54 percent of relocations involved moving with children. At the same time, more employees are facing elder care concerns as the population ages. The National Alliance for Caregiving, Bethesda, MD, and AARP, Washington, DC, estimated there are 34 million unpaid caregivers for adults, most of whom are relatives. Among those caregivers, 61 percent of men and 41 percent of women work full-time, which means elder care is an issue that employers no longer can ignore.

Serving as a full-time or even part-time caregiver for an aging parent can be a daunting task, and members of the “Sandwich Generation” feel the pressure from both sides. This group of individuals, between the ages of 30 and 60, finds itself caring for both children and aging parents at the same time.

According to AARP, 44 percent of Americans have both one aging parent/in-law and a child who is younger than age 21. At the same time, an increasing number of individuals find themselves as members of the “Club Sandwich Generation,” providing at least part-time care for three generations at once. This could mean providing care for grandparents, parents, and children or for parents, children, and grandchildren.

Relocating with children of different ages

Depending on their age, children will react differently to the prospect of relocation, but communication is the key factor for success with toddlers and teenagers alike. Knowing the basic responses and related strategies can help position a move as a positive event in a child’s mind.

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