Creating a Stress-Free Move Day, as a Senior: Your Essential Checklist

Moving day can be both exciting and stressful, especially for seniors who are downsizing to their new space. However, with proper planning and the assistance of a reliable senior moving company, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free moving experience.

Here is our essential checklist to help you stay organized and alleviate any moving day worries, tuned to the unique needs of senior clients. 

1. Research and Hire a Trusted Moving Company:

Start your moving journey by researching and hiring a reputable moving company that specializes in senior moving services. Look for experienced movers who understand the unique needs and concerns of seniors.  For example, Darling Solutions is dedicated to making senior moves as seamless as possible with our extensive experience and client-focused approach. Once you’ve selected a few moving companies, schedule an appointment to discuss your specific requirements and get an accurate estimate. 

2. Create a Moving Timeline:

To ensure a well-organized move, create a detailed moving timeline (your mover may do this for you, depending on what kind of services you are interested in).

Start by determining your moving date with your movers, and work backward to allocate time for packing, organizing, and other necessary tasks. Break down your timeline into manageable tasks for each day or week leading up to the move. This approach will help you stay on track and avoid any last-minute chaos.

(Note: manageable means manageable for you. If you know you won’t or can’t do 30-minutes of move preparations a day, try starting with just five minutes and see how you feel. You might surprise yourself!)

3. Declutter and Downsize:

Downsizing is an integral part of the moving process, especially for seniors moving to apartments or residences. Take this as an opportunity to declutter and let go of items you no longer need or have space for. We suggest sorting through your belongings room by room, and categorizing them into keep, donate, sell, or discard piles. Working in short time frames is less mentally exhausting when you are making a lot of choices – a short timer on your phone or alarm clock is a great tool for this!

If you feel overwhelmed, there are companies that can help with this process! Darling Solutions can assist by providing guidance and support to help you make informed decisions about your belongings, and then doing the physical work of packing and removing the items for dispersal. Out of sight, out of mind is a saying for a good reason!

4. Organize and Label Boxes:

As you pack your belongings, ensure that you stay organized by labeling each box with an idea of its contents, and the room it belongs to. You don’t have to list each item, but you need to have an idea of what’s in the box. This step will make unpacking much more manageable.

Additionally, consider creating a “priority box” containing essentials like medications, toiletries, bedding, and a few kitchen essentials. Label it very clearly (you could tape a sticky-note-to the box, or some other obvious markings), and ensure it’s put into either your personal vehicle, or is amongst the last items onto the moving truck. This box will help you settle in unbelievably quickly upon arrival at your new home, especially if you are unpacking yourself.

(Snacks and celebratory drinks are a nice touch too, in our opinion – give yourself a treat once the move is over!)

5. Notify Relevant Parties:

Be proactive about your change of address – remember to inform important parties promptly. Notify your utilities, healthcare professionals, financial institutions, and any other relevant parties well in advance of your move. This  will help ensure a seamless transition without any disruption to essential services.

If you’re in Ottawa, you can pay Canada Post to forward your mail to your new address while you get everything sorted out – it’s worth looking into!

6. Coordinate with the Moving Company Before Move Day:

Doing this in advance makes sense, right? Everyone needs to be on the same page for moving day to be as stress-free as possible! Communicate with your chosen moving company to finalize logistics before moving day – confirm the services they’ll provide, the address they will arrive to, and the time of arrival. 

You should also provide them with detailed instructions about your new home, including any access restrictions or special considerations like elevators, stair lifts, and parking restrictions. Some companies (like us!) will look after making those reservations for you, but it’s not the kind of detail that you want to work out on the big day.

7. Take Care of Yourself:

Moving day can be physically and emotionally draining, so make sure to prioritize self-care. Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and have a nutritious meal to maintain your energy levels. If possible, consider asking a friend or family member to be with you during the moving process for support and companionship.

You should also make sure you have a “go-bag” for moving day with your essentials. This would be your wallet, keys (to both dwellings!), medications, glasses, hearing aids and other medical assistive devices, chequebook, passport and other ID, sensitive documents, and your cell phone and charger.

By following this essential checklist and entrusting reputable senior moving services with your move, you can start your new chapter on a positive note. Remember to plan ahead, stay organized, and take care of yourself throughout the process. Happy moving!