Senior Moving Services: 7 Tips to Make Moving Day Stress-Free

For many seniors, packing their precious belongings and relocating to a new home can be a stressful time filled with emotional turmoil. Many seniors are saying goodbye to a home in which they raised their children and enjoyed many of life’s most beautiful moments. The heart-wrenching feelings are only exacerbated by the regular stressors involved with any move, but there are certain steps you can take to make sure the process goes smoothly and without a hitch.

1. Consider Hiring a Move Manager or Moving Service

Many senior moving services have stepped into the gap when loved ones are unable to dedicate as much time as it takes to help seniors with moving. While senior moving services offer physical help if you are not able to carry heavy items and pack and unload a moving truck, move management services are also an option if you simply would appreciate guidance and direction on how to downsize your belongings and coordinate the minute details of the process.

2. Get to Know Your New Neighborhood

 To give yourself extra motivation to stay on track with your moving timeline, learn more about the neighborhood you will be moving into, especially if it is far from your current location. Make a plan for which grocery store you will visit, which gym you will purchase a membership at and where you can take daily walks and enjoy the scenery. Keep your mind focused on the positive aspects of your new adventure.

3. Obtain a Floor Plan of Your New Home

You may think you visually remember what your new home looks like, but obtaining an actual floor plan can help you determine which items will fit where. This move is the opportunity for you to sort through years of possessions and keepsakes and decide what is most important and valuable to you. As you go through this process, keep in mind how all your items will look in your new home.

4. Make Gradual Changes Daily

Don’t try to take on every task today. Dedicate a few hours each day in the months leading up to your move to sort and pack your belongings. You might not see progress at first, but pacing yourself can ensure you aren’t making hasty decisions as far as what to keep and what to throw away, and you will not be as exhausted with the process. A gradual preparation approach can help you process the changes at your own speed.

5. Take Care of Financial Concerns in Advance

Make sure you talk to the utility companies both at your current home and your new destination to make sure you have no gaps in service. Schedule cable or internet installations if needed. Ensure all paperwork is in order and if your current home is going to be left vacant after you leave, let your insurance company and the local police department know. Change the billing address on all of your accounts and notify your healthcare provider as well.

6. Pack a Moving Day Suitcase

Moving day will be enough of a hassle without having to open and unpack a myriad of boxes just to find a change of clothes. Separate clothing and toiletries to last for at least a few days and place them in a separate suitcase. Also, do not box up important documents – keep all of your paperwork with you during the move.

7. Take Inventory Before and After the Move

Use a moving checklist to keep yourself on track for all the tasks that must be accomplished and start an inventory list of every item you pack. Use a numbering system for boxes so you can quickly identify where each will be placed in your new home.

To find out if moving long-distance may affect your healthcare coverage, talk to My Senior Health Plan and ensure you have no gaps in service as you make an important transition to your new home.