Moving can be hard on everyone. There are a lot of things to organize and no one likes to pack and then unpack to get things done. When you are a senior citizen, the task of organizing and packing all your items up to downsize can seem a little bit overwhelming. How will you get it all done?
To move as a senior citizen, it is important to plan ahead. Flat Fee Movers, local movers in Sarasota, suggests that you go through each room of the home and downsize as many items as possible to make the move easier and to fit all your items into the new location. You should also shop around for different moving companies to find the best one, ask for help from others, and pack a suitcase of essential items to tide you over until you can unpack all the boxes.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the tips that you should follow when it is time to move as a senior citizen.
Plan Ahead
It is important to plan ahead as early as possible when you are ready to move. Waiting until the last minute can make things more stressful and may cause you to miss more things than you care to. Downsize your possession to save time with moving, find movers to help make things easier, schedule cleaning in both locations, and figure out how to turn off utilities in the old location and turn them on under your name in the new location.
Downsize as Much as Possible
Many seniors decide to move out of their large family homes into a smaller apartment. This provides them with less work and upkeep compared to staying in a larger home. The only problem is that the large home held a lot of possessions and most of those are unlikely to fit into a smaller apartment. This means it is time to downsize and get rid of the items you no longer need.
Decluttering can make this process easier. Look at each item and decide whether you would like to keep it, give it away to someone who may get more use out of it, sell it, or throw it out. Do this room by room ahead of time to ensure that you will have plenty of time to do it. Be honest here. The more you can throw out, the less you have to take with you when you move.
Get a Floor Plan of the New Space
If possible, look for a floor plan for the new place you want to move to. Take some time to look it over and get accurate measurements. This can help you to figure out what can stay and what should go. You may find out that some of the items you were sure would fit just take up too much room. Give them to someone else instead.
Shop Around for Moving Services
Moving services are always going to be pricey, but you may be surprised at the difference in prices that each one will provide. Many do provide senior discounts to make moving easier, you just have to ask. Make sure to check out three or four moving services in your area to see what kinds of services they offer, the price, and whether they are available for your moving date or not.
Take it One Day at a Time
You may start out with the best intentions when it comes to moving, but this can take a lot of work. Assuming that you can get all the packing done in a few hours is not reasonable, especially when you are a senior. Know your limits and be honest about the amount of work that you need to do. You may need to start early with the packing for moving to make sure you have time. If you find yourself on a strict time limit, then it is time to call in help to make it easier.
Pack a Suitcase of Essential Items
It could take you a few days to unpack everything once you get to the new location. And you do not want to spend hours searching for some of the essential items that you will need as soon as you get there. Pack up a suitcase that contains all of the essential items you will need. Think of toilet paper, medicine, clothes, some dishes, towels, and clean sheets to get you by until you can unpack some of those boxes.
Getting Ready to Move
Moving as a senior can be a big deal. You may be leaving a home you have enjoyed for a long time to downsize or to cut down on expenses. Being prepared, doing things one step at a time, and planning it all out will ensure that moving goes smoothly for you.