If you're helping your parents move, keep in mind that it's one of the most difficult moves of their life. Be respectful of what your parents are experiencing.

"Adult children need to realize what a vulnerable position their parents are in when they move from their life-long home," says Nancy Pelham, a Dallas professional organizer and owner of Helping Hands Personal Service.

They're leaving everything they know and are familiar with: Their home, friends and neighbors, and maybe even their idea of independence.

It generally takes seniors longer to sort through their possessions and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. It's best to get a head-start on this.

Your folks may need help organizing a garage sale or giving items away to charity and then packing what's left. After they've moved, they might need help cleaning and putting things away and settling in.

Also, be prepared to deal with the emotional side.

There may be competition among siblings for a treasured heirloom, or resentment if one sibling feels another isn't giving enough help. Don't make the experience any more difficult for your parents by piling on this type of stress.

As an elderly person goes through things they haven't looked at in years, it will take longer than an adult child would like. Rather than rushing them, it's a good time to reminisce, learn family history and build memories.

While you don't want to downplay your parents' feelings of sadness or anxiety about letting go of their old life, let them know how much easier their life is going to be in a new place.

"Help them see why or how they will be benefiting, such as a more active social scene, or ease of mobility," Pelham says.

This article was written by Allison Bisbey Colter, a contributor to Relocation.com, a leading provider of information about moving, real estate, home improvement, and insurance issues related to the relocating process.