7 Moving Tips For Seniors

All across the country seniors are moving and starting fresh in a new home. But moving is physically demanding work, and it takes plenty of planning and assistance to move efficiently and with little risk as possible.


Whether you choose to hire a professional moving company or tackle the move on your own, use these tips to move forward without a hiccup.

1. Start Early and Pace Yourself
Aside from the actual packing and moving, there are plenty of loose ends to tie up as you move to your new home. Aim to give yourself at least 2-3 months to get everything in order. Even 30 days will do if you develop and organized plan to manage the busy nature of moving. 

2. Get Organized

Designate a binder or open up a spreadsheet and lay out every task, errand, chore, and phone call. Give each of your tasks a deadline, and color code each task as to-do, in-progress, or complete as you go. Not only does this help you keep track of what’s left to do, but it also helps you track your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment as you go.

3. Research Pharmacies and Medical Care Facilities

Hop online and take a look at the hospitals and physicians in your new neighborhood. If you have any specific medical conditions, knowing the contact information of your new doctor will provide you some relief when you arrive to your new home. Make sure to also call your pharmacy and transfer your prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home.

4. Make All Necessary Phone Calls

If you have lived in the same neighborhood for 10, 20 or even 30 years, odds are you have some serious roots that you will need some time tugging free. Start by addressing all memberships: the gym, community center, museums, public transportation, etc. Find out if any of these memberships can be applied to locations and services in your new neighborhood.

If you are a member of any local associations, boards, or clubs, make sure you give plenty of notice and take care of any exit formalities required of members. Of course, this calls for some goodbyes to some of the close friends you’ve made as well, so make sure you allow plenty of time for social gatherings that may pop up as well.

5. Appraise Your Valuable Belongings

It is always a good idea to appraise your valuables before you move, even if you’re moving down the street. There is always risk involved with transporting artwork, jewelry, technology, and antique furniture. Take thorough and careful inventory of all your valuables. Take photos to prove their condition before the move. If you have a significant inventory or valuables, hire a professional appraiser to handle the details.

If your valuables aren’t already insured, this would be the time to get insurance. While most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance covers valuables within your home or in your possession, they do not cover your valuables while being transported by professional movers.

Your credible professional movers will have liability insurance, but that may not be enough for your valuable belongings. Be ready for anything.

6. Assess The Floor Plan and Dimensions of Your New Home

Study the floor plan of your new home and map out where all your furniture will go. If you’re downsizing, this will help you stay realistic about what belongings are necessities and what you need to ditch.

For example, if your new home doesn’t have an office space, you may need to sell the office furniture. After studying your floor plan, you may also find your current furniture is too bulky. Sell, donate or give these items to friends and family so you can make room for furniture that is more appropriate for your new living space.

Not only will getting rid of extra furniture makes things easier during the move, but it will also give your more space in your new home. If you have limited mobility, plenty of space is essential. 

Keep a print out of your floor plan handy and color code it so you can label your boxes based on the color coding system.

7. Hire Professional Moving Help

Moving is physically demanding and is risky for anyone with health problems or limited mobility. Save your energy for the fun parts of moving and hire professional movers for the packing, hauling, and unpacking. Professional movers help you pack up and move forward efficiently and with much lower risk than if you were to do it yourself.

Whether you want some help with packing and storage or you want your professional movers to take care of the whole process, give us a call to explore your options with Moving Forward, who has professional San Francisco Movers. Call today for a FREE quote.