Treats, Not Tricks: Four Tips for Seniors on the Move

Moving at any age can be difficult, but for senior citizens the process of saying goodbye to a cherished home full of memories, can be both stressful and a bit scary. However, the time comes in everyone’s life when a home that once felt perfect for you, and/or your family, no longer meets your needs, and it is time to downsize.

To help take some of the fright out of moving as a senior citizen, the relocation experts here at King Companies treated us to four tips to keep in mind:

Prepare yourself emotionally. Before you make the final decision to rent or sell your current home and downsize to a space that is better suited for your needs, it is important to make sure you are emotionally ready to take that step.

Think about what it will be like to live in a smaller space, perhaps a condo or apartment in a senior living community. Look at the amenities it will offer that you may not currently have access to – an on-site gym or spa, chef-prepared meals, and regularly scheduled activities that will help foster friendships and stronger connections with your new neighbors. These are all things you can look forward to in the next chapter of your life, and may help you in making a smoother transition to your new home.

Start off on the right foot by sorting your household goods and belongings. Once you make the decision to downsize and move to a new home, there is much to do. A good place to start is  by identifying which of your current possessions you will be taking with you to your new residence. Furthermore, make a list of the items you want to keep, store, donate or throw away.

• Keep precious keepsakes and valuables such as jewelry, paintings or antiques you want to see or use every day.
• Consider putting seasonal items that you won’t have room for, but will want to access at different times throughout the year, into storagen addition to items you don’t use but wish to hold on to for your family.
• Next, donate or throw away books and music you never plan to read or listen to again, older shoes and clothing that is no longer stylish or fits, items you haven’t used or looked at in over a year, and any furnishings that won’t fit into your new home.

Categorizing your items in this manner will make every step that follows all that much easier.

Give yourself time and ask for help with packing. Once your items have been sorted, you will then face the task of packing them up for your move. This is not easy, and it is important to give yourself time. Start small and break up the task so it’s manageable. Consider tackling cupboards and closets before moving on to larger spaces.

Avoid becoming too tired or exhausted by spending only one or two hours at a time packing, until the task has been completed. It may take several days to a week or more, but it’s important to give yourself that time. If there is still too much to do, consider asking a friend, family member or neighbor to help. Also, don’t forget to label everything in the process – all the way down to what’s in the box and where it will go – either into storage, or to your new home. This will help prevent confusion on moving day and when unpacking your items in your new home.

Consider hiring a professional mover. Once you have begun sorting and packing your household belongings, it’s time to think about whether or not you want to engage a professional to help you with the process. This decision often depends on whether you have help nearby; whether you are healthy enough to take on many of the tasks associated with the move; how quickly you must relocate; and, the distance you are moving. Another important factor to consider is budget – can you afford to hire a professional? Can you afford not to? Look at the pros and cons of each and make your decision based on the facts.

It is important to keep in mind that hiring a professional relocation company offers several key benefits for seniors:

• Greater efficiency and safety;
• Protection for large items and high-value belongings;
• No need to rely on friends and family to help with your move; and,
• The ability to move you faster and potentially save you money on long-distance moves.

A professional mover can also help reduce move-related stress and anxiety, and enable you to avoid the physical stress that comes from packing and lifting boxes and furniture.

There is much more to consider when it comes to downsizing as a senior, but it shouldn’t be a scary experience. For more tips and advice check out the resources available at AARP, Caring.com and The Senior List.

About King Companies As an agent of United Van Lines, King Companies has the resources and expertise to be your “go-to” resource for all relocation needs. Whether you are relocating your household, moving an office, or are in need of logistics services, we strive to ensure that your next move will be the best you will ever make. Call us today at 800-854-3679 to learn more.

We hope that you will consider King Companies for your future relocation needs. To learn more about our services, visit is at www.kingcompaniesusa.com. And, don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ for our latest news and updates!