Seniors & Disabilities in Long Distance Moves: Special Considerations

1. Preparing a Checklist

The most important thing you would want to do when moving as a senior or with disabilities is to prepare a moving checklist. It will not only streamline your moving preparation but also prevent you from causing any unnecessary delays.

The checklist should be comprehensive and prepared a few months before the move. It should contain the timeline, the plan of the new house (and each room), the need for modifications to the new home, and so on.

Moving long distance is tough, but if you are diligent, disciplined, and keep essential things handy, you’ll make it much more manageable.

2. Properly Schedule Help

If you suffer from a condition that impacts your vision, cognitive ability, or mobility, you should consider professional help for your move. Don’t hesitate to contact your friends, family, or relatives if you need help.

You would want to get help, especially in terms of packing and unpacking, and lifting heavy items like furniture. Ensure you do not hurt yourself in the process; it would make things all the more difficult.

3. Make a Budget

You would want to avoid falling into a situation where you must pay much more at the end of the process than you had expected or planned. Start off by roughly estimating the entire expense of your move.

Do thorough research on hiring a moving company. You must also consider additional expenses, such as relocation or medical assistance.

Some of the other items that you might want to take into consideration are:

• Adapting homes for seniors and disabilities after a move.
• Extra services, such as pet relocation, cleaning services, etc.
• Moving insurance.
• Personal travel expenses.
• Utility service in your new home.
• Any sort of upfront security payment.

4. Hire Long Distance Movers

Consider hiring a moving company if you or your family member is moving long distance. Exploring accessible moving options is pivotal in ensuring a seamless and comfortable transition for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The cost to hire movers also varies and depends on the home’s distance and size. For example, for a distance of more than 2500 miles and a house of 2-3 bedrooms, it could end up somewhere between $3900-$7500. Refer to a moving cost calculator for a more personalized quote.

While looking to hire any moving company, make sure to look for senior-friendly moving services.

5. Keep an Essential Box Ready

Keeping an essential box is critical, especially for a senior or a person with a disability.

The basic items that an essential box must contain include medical aids, food, cleaners, dishwashing soap, toilet paper, scissors or knife, a flashlight, electronic chargers, a basic tools box, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, some important documents, etc.

6. Senior Relocation Assistance

This is special assistance provided to older adults or individuals with a disability during the moving process. It could include moving from a family home to a smaller apartment, downsizing to a retirement community, transitioning to an assisted living facility, or relocating to a nursing home.

7. Packing Slowly

Seniors or people with disabilities shouldn’t rush the moving process. Doing things right the first time will make the moving journey less stressful. Make sure to double-check the inventory while packing. Each package from every room must be systematically labeled so that it doesn’t lead to confusion when unpacking.

8. Marking the Boxes Properly

It is vital to organize our items. Make sure to segregate and put things into separate categories. For example, keep things that wouldn’t go with the movers separate by labeling them accordingly. Plus, dividing boxes according to the rooms they would go to will make your move easier.

9. Decide What You Want to Do With All That Furniture

Before moving, you must decide on the furniture you’ll need in your new home. It entirely depends on the type and size of your new home. For example, if your new home’s living room is smaller, you don’t need that extensive wardrobe you currently own. Thus, you need to consider your house dimensions before deciding what you really want to keep.

Also, make sure you place your furniture in the correct spot; otherwise, it will be difficult to move things later on. Make sure that the furniture does not, in any way, restrict your mobility in the house.

10. Focus on Healthcare

Try to locate the nearest medical facility in the new locality that you are moving into. Before you move, you must transfer all your medical records to the nearest healthcare facility.

Find a physician as soon as possible and schedule an appointment. Also, ensure you refill all your medications until you have an appointment with your new physician. You can also look for healthcare security benefits available in the new state.

11. Pets

When moving long distances with pets, we recommend going for a pet relocation service. If you decide to put your pet up for adoption, you may find shelter homes nearby that can help.

It’s essential to thoroughly research these shelters and ensure they have a reputable track record of caring for and rehoming animals. Reach out to them in advance to understand their adoption process and make sure your pet will receive the care and attention it deserves.