A Guide to Moving Senior Citizens

Moving house always requires some time to adjust to change and get used to living in a new home. Things can get even more challenging for seniors, but luckily, professional movers share their tips on how to make relocation smooth and stress-free. Whether you’re looking for a nicer climate, you want to downsize, you’re retiring, or want to be closer to family, moving will be much easier if you’re well prepared and know what to expect. Moving comfortably as a senior requires some planning and a bit of help from professional movers, you’ll be just fine. Our tips for moving senior citizens will help you get ready for a new chapter in your life and go through relocation smoothly. Carry on reading to find simple tips and a guide to moving senior citizens.

Plan ahead

Whether you’re moving locally or to another state, planning is extremely important. Although there are differences between local and long-distance moving, basic principles are the same. Creating a moving checklist with all the tasks is a must, as it will keep you from forgetting something important and help you stay on track. Include all the big and small tasks in your checklist and then proceed to prioritize them. Your bigger tasks are finding a new home and figuring out the way to transport your belongings, and smaller tasks include things like getting moving boxes and bubble wrap. This step will help you figure out what can be done personally, and what requires professional helpers.

Important contacts

While you’re making your moving checklist, go ahead and include a phone list as a top priority. Write down all important contacts like your doctor’s phone number, your landlord or real estate agent’s number, your moving company, close family, etc.

Medical plan

This applies to everyone, but especially to seniors – you’ll have to think about your health. Before you move away, make sure you have a medical plan. Your doctor is the best person to advise on this, so go ahead and schedule an appointment. Your medical insurance and important records will need to be transferred, and a doctor will guide you through the process after you explain the situation. Always put your health first and do this in advance to make sure your health is taken care of before you move.

Hire professional packers

Hiring professionals is often more expensive but also more convenient. Especially for busy people or senior citizens. This is not a must-have step, but it will definitely make your relocation way smoother. There are benefits of hiring professional packers for local moving or long-distance relocation. Even if you have enough time to pack and you’re not in a rush, letting professional packers do this time-consuming task can be highly beneficial. If you decide to go for packing services, they’ll bring their packing materials and equipment to pack all of your items, including fragile or specialty items. Just make sure to get a quote first and see if it fits your budget.

Downsize

You shouldn’t be afraid to downsize when you’re moving, and many seniors choose to do so, especially when moving to another country or for interstate moving. Letting go of some items from your home may seem scary but may also be beneficial for you. By going through your entire household, you’ll be able to declutter and get rid of all those things that are just occupying space. Ask around where to donate unwanted items before long-distance relocation, and do it. You can bring only things you really like. This way you’ll have more space but also have less to move and less to pay for moving services. You can even make some extra cash by organizing a yard sale and selling things you no longer need.

In case you want to move to a smaller home but you’re not ready to let go of some chunky pieces of furniture, go ahead and read the next tip.

Consider renting a storage unit

When moving as a senior citizen, you may want to move to a smaller home but you don’t want to say goodbye to some beautiful furniture, family heirlooms, or anything else that occupies too much space. If you want to keep some of the belongings safe without making your smaller home cluttered, check your local storage providers. Renting a storage unit will help you keep your items safe until you want to use them again. You can also reach out to your moving company, as some movers also offer storage services.

Get familiar with your new surroundings

The next important thing to do is to visit your new home if that’s possible. Moving is always a big change and requires some time to process the fact that you’ll be living in a new home. You’ll have a chance to walk around, get familiar, and avoid a complete surprise on moving day. Visit a few times if your schedule allows, as you will only get more used to the idea of living there. Visiting before moving will also allow you to change your mind on time in case you learn that a new home is just not right for you.

Find the right moving company

Choosing the right moving company is vital, especially when you’re moving as a senior. But, that’s not as easy as it seems. So, you should know how to pick the right mover, right? The best option is to choose movers that are members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers and narrow down your choices to three different options. At this point, you should have an idea about how to compare local movers. Ask all three moving companies to provide a free quote so you could compare and find the best fit. Don’t be shy to look for another mover if something seems off or doesn’t satisfy your needs. Reputable movers will go through all the expenses with you to make sure you’re comfortable with costs and get all information about your relocation.

Hiring a trustworthy moving company for moving senior citizens, is the best way to have a stress-free senior move. Whether you’re moving around the block or to another country, book moving services in advance and avoid last-minute decisions – otherwise, you may pay expensive rates and deal with unnecessary stress. Reach out to Dorothy Moving for a free moving quote.