Moving Tips For Seniors

Moving is a huge job. However, if you are a senior moving from the home where you raised your family to a smaller one, there are some considerations that you need to make. There are ways to ease the stress. This guide will help you navigate the process of downsizing and preparing for your move.

1. How to Know When it's Time To Downsize
Life happens quickly. You're one day raising your children and tripping over each other in a house that doesn't seem big enough. The next you have your children grown and you are left with a large house that is more work than it's worth. Many homeowners don't buy their homes with the intention of downsizing. However, as they age, the reality of owning large homes begins to hit them. It can be difficult to know when it is time to downsize. However, these guidelines and tips should help. These are signs that you should consider downsizing.
You need to stretch your budget. Your retirement savings will only go so far. You may need to stretch them. If that is the case, it's time for you to downsize to increase your housing budget.
It's too overwhelming to maintain your house - If you find the task overwhelming and don't have enough money to hire help, it might be time to downsize.
You can get rid of unused rooms. These rooms are expensive to heat and maintain and can be a problem when you downsize.
A Different Layout is necessary - As we age, it becomes more difficult to get up and downstairs. To ensure that you are able to navigate your multi-story house, it is possible to downsize to a one-story apartment or home.
If any of these statements are true, downsizing may be the best option.

2. Sorting belongings
After you have made the decision to downsize it is time to go through all your stuff. You can't bring everything with you when you move to a smaller space, regardless of how attached to your stuff.
You will need to divide your items into four categories in order to sort them: Store, Store, Sell/Give, and Trash. You can start by going through one room in your house at a given time, even one closet or one dresser. Then, go through every item and decide which belongs in which category.

These key indicators will help you decide if something should be thrown away or given away if you are having difficulty deciding what to toss.
It was never taken out of the box.
It doesn't suit your style or meet your needs
You might think, "I may need this one day."
It is out of date or outdated
It won't be used or read again
It's an unfinished project
It has not been touched for more than one year, and it holds no sentimental value.
You don't want furniture that doesn't work in your new space
Next, identify which items you should keep. You may not use some items for daily living but you still need them for various reasons. These items are best kept:
Documents and paperwork
Items that have sentimental value
You don't have the space to store seasonal items in your new home.
Decide what you want to keep. Don't forget:
You want to see sentimental items regularly
You want to keep items with high-value items close by
Special occasions require special clothing
Remember that it is easier to fit everything in your new space if you get rid of things before you move.

3. Moving? Packing
The next step is packing. It is not an easy job so be sure to allow enough time.
Packing is physically demanding. It is not easy to be as young as you used to be, so allow yourself sufficient time to complete the task without injury or physical stress. These tips will make your job easier.

Take on small jobs - Split the job of packing your house into smaller tasks that are easier to manage. It took years to accumulate your possessions so don't expect that you can pack them all in one week. You should set aside at least an hour each day to complete the task.
Keep in Mind the Weight of Your PO Box - Even if you have help moving, you may need to move boxes around the new house as you unpack. To keep each box's weight down, mix heavy and light items. Keep boxes under 50 pounds.
Ask for help - This job is not one you can do on your own. Ask for help. Consider putting aside money to hire movers if help is not possible.
Take Care of Fragile Items - Wrap fragile items carefully and use more layers than necessary to make sure they are safe.
Plastic Tubs - Use plastic tubs to store long-term items. They are more durable than cardboard and offer greater safety.

Make sure you have an "Open First" box. Unpacking can be just as stressful as packing. Keep one or two boxes that are "open first", with everything you need for the first few days of your new home. You will not need to pack too many items, such as bedding, linens, and toiletries. This box should be placed in the truck last.

Label well - Once you have settled into your new space, it will be easier to unpack your belongings quickly and efficiently by labeling them.

4. Do you need to hire movers or do it yourself?

Once you have begun to reduce your belongings and pack them, the next step is to decide if you will hire someone to help you move. Before you weigh the pros and cons of each option, here are some questions to ask yourself:
How is your health? Are you able to handle the tasks? Can you still be healthy?
What family support is available? Is your family available to help?
What is your time frame? Are you able to afford the luxury of time?
What distance are you willing to travel?
You can do the move yourself if you feel confident enough. However, you should weigh the pros and the cons. There are several benefits to moving yourself.

Spend less
Take care of fragile items
You can move on your own schedule, moving a little at the time
These are the drawbacks:
More physically stressful
There is a greater demand for assistance from family and friends
Moving cross-country can be costly
You have many benefits if you hire movers
Packing with minimal stress
Safer and more efficient moving methods
Experienced movers offer better protection for large items
You can move faster
Long-distance moves are cheaper
There's no need to rely solely on family and friends

A professional crew is the best option if you're moving more than 500 miles. It will also be the most cost-effective and stress-free option. There are some disadvantages to hiring a moving company. These include:
It's a good idea to have strangers pack and manage your stuff
Local moves are more expensive

What's the bottom line? This question is complicated and will depend on many factors. However, if you have compromised health, are moving long distances or don't know anyone who can help you, you might want to hire someone to do it for you. You can also save money by doing it yourself.

5. Moving Day: Keep it Safe

When the day arrives, after all your packing, packing, and preparations, you will want to make sure that everything is safe. It's a huge job so it is worth planning ahead.
You will want to ensure that you don't get hurt during the move. You can avoid serious back strains or worse injuries by following these steps:
You need to get enough help. Your move cannot be handled by you alone.
Do not pack boxes that are heavier than 50 pounds.
Proper lifting techniques are important.
You can either leave the heavy lifting to someone younger or use a dolly.
Make sure you have a clear path to your home.
Move your pets from your home.

Also, ensure you are taking care of your nutrition. In the hustle and bustle associated with moving, it's easy for people to skip meals or drink breaks. To ensure that everyone is energized and hydrated, make sure to provide enough food for your crew and yourself.

You must also take precautions to prevent damage to your belongings. You should stack boxes with heavier boxes at the bottom and lighter ones at the top. You should label the boxes so you can clearly see the top and bottom. Also, make sure to load the truck so that heavy items are near the front. This will help protect the truck's balance while you drive to your new house. Also, ensure that any items that may shift in transit are properly secured and tied. It is not a good idea to bring damaged items with you when you move into a new home.

6. Be ready for the emotional side of moving

Some people move because it is a new adventure. However, this is not true for all. Many people find it difficult to move, especially if they have family memories. It can be difficult to leave the home where your children and grandchildren were raised.

You must first accept the emotions that will accompany moving. It is normal to feel sad during this type of transition. These emotions are normal and healthy as you adjust to your new normal.

Sometimes, however, sadness can become something more. After a major move, some seniors may experience Relocation Stress Syndrome. It is a "physiologic,/or psychosocial disturbance that results from a transfer of one environment to another." This syndrome can be identified by:
Depression
Sadness
Despair
Confusion
Apprehension
Anxiety
Sleep problems
Withdrawal
Isolation
These signs can be noticed in seniors, so make sure to seek out psychological or medical help.

7. How to Get Settled in Your New Home
After you have moved, it is important to take the time to settle in your new home. These are some tips that will help you get settled in your new space faster.
Get to know your neighbors - Making friends early can help you feel at home in a new place.
Get to know your community - This could be the assisted living community's social events or the local stores and other opportunities. Take some time to get familiar with the people in your area.
You should unpack slowly - Get the essential items first, then move on to the next item until you are settled in your new home.
Host a party - Invite family and friends to your house for a celebration. While you may have to limit your guest list in order to make sure everyone fits, don't be afraid of showing off your new space.

Establishing routines - Routines are key to making you feel at home. If possible, bring the routines that you love from your previous home to your new one.

Change your address - It can be stressful to miss bills because they have not been received. To ensure that you receive all your mail, change your address immediately for all your utility bills, bank statements, credit cards, and insurance companies. You can also file a Change of address form at the post office.

8. Additional Belongings: Sell, Store, or Bequeath?

You will discover that there are many items in your possessions that are still in great condition but that you don't use. These items will be yours to store, sell, or leave to your beneficiaries. This decision is difficult. These guidelines can help.

Decide which items you would like to keep for a while. This is a personal decision that will be affected by how much storage space or whether you decide to buy a storage unit. You should store items that have sentimental value. You will need to store more items than you store.

Next, determine if you are going to keep any of your items and pass them on to the next generation. It can be very rewarding to let go of your possessions. While you will see your next-generation appreciate your items, they won't need to be stored. It makes sense to leave some items now:

You won't be able to store your heirloom furniture.

Sets of special dishes or china sets

Decor with sentimental value

Vintage and antique items

Finally, determine what items you are willing to sell. Many antique and vintage items can fetch a high price. You should ensure you are getting a fair price. To protect yourself, have items appraised by an antique dealer before you sell them.

9. Tips for Families
Here are some tips to help your loved one move.
You will need to plan for more time than you might think. It takes older people longer to decide, pack, and settle in so allow enough time.
Be aware of when you are needed and be prepared to help. Give space when you need it.
If your parent is moving to assisted living, be prepared for frustration.

Encourage your loved ones and friends to make new friends as soon as they move. This will help them settle down faster.
Be aware of signs and symptoms that could indicate emotional distress. As time goes by, even a decision made by your loved one can cause trauma and stress.
Show compassion for your loved ones and the changes that they are going through.
Establish a time frame and keep everyone on track.
Assist with the preparation checklists to help everyone stay on track.
That's all for this video thanks for watching. To get a free moving quote from our awesome team click the link in the description.