11 Moving and Downsizing Guides for Senior Citizens



Moving senior citizens, retirees and the elderly has become one of our specialty services. Baby-boomers are faced with downsizing themselves, while simultaneously transitioning their parents to one of the many types of senior housing.



Here are Gentle Giant's 10 Helpful Moving Tips for Seniors:



1. Start with a floor plan of your new space

A floor plan may be the single most important thing you can have. It will tell you how much furniture you can fit and help you decide where everything will go before you step foot into your new home.



2. Reduce the amount of belongings you have to move

Take some time to sort through your belongings and give special items to friends and family. For certain items you're not ready to part with but can not bring to your new place, consider using a storage facility.



3. Begin in areas of the house no longer in use

This strategy will be least disruptive to normal life and will help develop some momentum to carry you through other areas of the home.



4. Have a sorting system

Use colored stickers to identify which items you want to donate, which you want to give to family and which ones you need to keep. Make a list of potential recipients and match up the items, instead of coming up with different recipients as you sort through items one by one.



5. Start with large items and work toward smaller ones

Sorting through Source large furniture first will create a sense of progress for senior citizens. This will make it easier to sort smaller items later on, as it will be clear what storage will be available in the new home.



6. Block off a certain amount of time for working each day and stick to it

Start and stop your preparations at a certain time Don't get sidetracked and you'll be surprised by how much you can accomplish.



7. Focus on one area of the house at a time.

Dealing with an entire house can be overwhelming. Break it up into smaller chunks by focusing on one part of a room at a time, then move on to the next.



8. Packing-- let the movers take care of it

A professional moving company, like Gentle Giant, can set you up with a professional packing crew to help prepare your dishes, linens and furniture. Hiring such a team will make packing go by faster and your items will be safer as they are moved.



9. Create a move-day suitcase with essentials for the first 24 hours in your new home

Set aside a few outfits, a set of dishes, towels and sheets for your first few days. Include a first aid kit and a flashlight or night light. This way, you'll have what you need at your finger tips instead of having to dive into many different boxes to find what you need.



10. Be patient-- with yourself and others

Moving is hard, especially for senior citizens leaving a home they've spent decades in with their family. Set aside downtime and reward yourself at various stages in the process.





Take some time to sort through your belongings and give special items to friends and family. You can also have a yard sale or donate some items to charity. For certain items you're not ready to part with but can not bring to your new place, consider using a storage facility.



Set aside more info a few outfits, a set of dishes, towels and sheets for your first few days. Moving is hard, especially for senior citizens leaving a home they've spent decades in with their family.

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