Moving an aging loved one to a senior living facility is a daunting task. Many times a senior doesn’t want to move but, unfortunately, has to. It can be easy for them to become overwhelmed or get bogged down in emotion. That’s why it’s so important to make the move manageable for them, both logistically and emotionally. The moving experts at Cowboy Moving & Storage put together these tips, based on years of experience and expertise in moving seniors from one home to another.
1. It’s all about communication. As we age, oftentimes we don’t get to make our own decisions. A senior can feel like they aren’t being heard. That’s why it’s important to try to talk to them about their feelings about moving. Involve them with the decisions that have to be made: the day they want to move, if they want to stay with a friend until the move is over, etc.
2. Plan ahead. Get the exact measurements of their new home so you can determine in advance which possessions will be moved and which will be sold, given away or donated. Let your loved one be involved in the process. Let them walk through their new place before the move, or show them lots of photos. If their house-sized furniture is going to be too big, it could be fun to go shopping for new furniture, either online or in person.
3. Choose your mover carefully and book them in advance. Some movers, like Cowboy Moving & Storage, specialize in moving seniors. They understand that the senior will probably ask more questions and need more time to make decisions when asked. You don’t want to hire a couple of guys with a truck who treat this move like any other. Be sure to hire a reputable moving company with high ratings and book them in advance.
4. Get estimates from several moving companies. If a bid comes in much lower than the others, beware. Some shifty moving companies will lowball the job and surprise you with last minutes charges.
5. If your senior has made the moving arrangements, double check and make sure everything is in place. You don’t want to show up ready to help on moving day and find out your mom or dad forgot to mention last minute packing assistance or to confirm the moving date.
6. When you book your move, you could save your Senior money. If you can move during the week instead of the weekend, and avoid the last and first of the month, you can usually save money.
7. Help your loved one get settled after the move is over. Moving for anyone can be stressful. It can be worse for seniors, especially if they’ve lived in the same home for a long time. You’ll want to spend time unpacking and getting it set up so it feels like home—including finding the right place for sentimental belongings like photos. Some seniors can be so overwhelmed about how much needs to be done that they don’t do anything. You don’t want your loved one living among boxes. And by the way, movers like Cowboy Moving & Storage offer unpacking services to make things easier for seniors.
Talk to the Moving Experts at Cowboy Moving & Storage
If you’re moving your loved one to a maintenance free over 55 community, assisted living, senior apartment or even memory care facility, talk to Cowboy Moving & Storage in Denver. The family-owned company has been helping Coloradans move since 1968 and have more than 2,200 five-star reviews on ReviewBuzz and other online review sites. Don’t trust your loved one’s move to just any company.
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