Whether you’re relocating to be closer to family or you’re ready to downsize after retirement, moving as a senior citizen can present unique challenges. This is especially true if you have health conditions you need to worry about or physical limitations that can make moving more complicated.
To help you experience the smoothest relocation possible, the professional movers at Ace Moving & Warehousing share valuable moving tips for seniors below.
Start By Analyzing Your New Floor Plan
Before you start packing up your belongings, take a close look at the measurements of the floor plan in your new home. Can you fit your belongings in there comfortably? You’ll likely need to measure your major furniture pieces to make doubly sure. If you can’t fit everything that’s in your current home into your new location, it may be time to considering donating some of your belongings.
If you’re not ready to let go of any of your belongings, you can always opt to put your things in storage. A climate-controlled storage unit provides protection from heat, humidity, and other environmental factors that can potentially damage your belongings.
If possible, avoid putting anything that might be vulnerable to moisture or heat in a standard storage unit. This type of storage solution will certainly keep your stuff contained, but it doesn’t offer any environmental control.
Hire a Moving Company
Lack of mobility, chronic pain, and other physical limitations are often a normal part of life for those in their senior years. And these issues can significantly limit the amount of physical labor you can do during your move. That’s where professional movers and packers who specialize in senior moving can be extremely helpful.
When you opt for full packing services, your team of professionals expedites the entire packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and unpacking process. Experienced and properly trained movers also help ensure your belongings are handled safely throughout your relocation, so they arrive in excellent condition at your new home.
Hiring professional movers and packers also eliminates the need to ask family for help. And while asking for family assistance is never a bad thing, sometimes, family members overstep boundaries without realizing they’re doing it. When there’s a tight timeline for the move, family might feel it’s okay to take over the decision-making process in regard to downsizing. This can create a stressful, awkward, and high-friction situation when you aren’t ready to get rid of things that your family members deem unnecessary.
When you hire professional movers, you have the final say in all aspects of your relocation. Working with a professional team offers a myriad of other benefits over conducting a move on your own. You can learn more about those benefits here.
Downsize As Early as Possible
Depending on how much stuff you own and what the floor plan looks like in your new abode, downsizing can be extremely time consuming. Sorting through your belongings and determining what to keep and what to donate can be challenging, both mentally and physically. To make the process as smooth and low stress as possible, start as early as you can — ideally, several months before your intended move date, if possible.
Start by sorting through the areas of your house that you use infrequently. As you get closer to your move date, start sorting through the rooms you use more often. Tackling the process this way allows you to create as little disruption in your normal daily patterns as possible.
Prepare for the Move Itself
Once you’ve hired your moving company and determined what you plan to do with all of your belongings, it’s time to plan for your move day. There are several important things you must do to get prepared, including:
● Contact utility companies. When you arrive at your new home, you want your utilities up and running, so be sure to notify your utility providers of your upcoming change of address early. That way, the transition between homes will be seamless.
● Fill out a change of address form and notify your contacts. To have your mail forwarded to your new address, you can fill out a change of address form online or at the post office. Make sure you also notify your important contacts of your new address because the postal service only provides forwarding services for 12 months.
● Pack an essentials bag for the day of the move. To ensure your daily essentials are readily accessible on the night you arrive in your new home, be sure to pack an essentials bag that you keep separate from your other belongings. Include items like medications, toiletries, clothing, and other things you use every day to ensure you can find them easily.
Schedule Your Twin Cities Move With Ace Moving & Warehousing
Moving can be challenging for seniors, but with a professional team handling the physical labor, the process can be far less stressful and overwhelming. If you’re planning to downsize or move closer to your family, get in touch with our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing so we can help. Since 1958, we’ve provided a comprehensive collection of moving services for Twin Cities residents, and our number one priority is ensuring your full satisfaction. Ready to schedule your move? Call us today at 763-755-2045 or contact us to get a fast moving quote!