Moving Tips for Seniors

Advice when planning for a senior move

According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, most senior moves happen after a big life change. And whether you’re planning a move yourself or helping someone you love move, pairing a relocation with a significant personal event can put a lot on your plate. The experts at U-Pack understand the complex situation you’re facing. Use our top senior moving tips to help you navigate this significant event.

Choose the right moving service

The type of moving company you go with depends primarily on your situation — what your budget is, how much work you’re able to do on your own, and whether you have friends or family able and willing to help. Options range from complete do-it-yourself to full service, and everything in between. If you’re planning your own move, you want to find a company that provides the services you need. If you’re handling a move for a loved one, you may want to find a service that allows you to easily manage the move remotely.

Watch out for scammers

Unfortunately, people moving long distance can be prime targets for scams. There are safety nets in place, but there are additional things you can do throughout the move to stay safe. Start by using trustworthy movers with good reviews and recommendations, and take precautions when exchanging money. First, avoid paying large deposits or prepaying for services upfront. Second, when getting estimates, don’t sign blank forms; make sure everything is completely filled out. And lastly, use a credit card to pay since you can dispute charges if necessary.

Be mindful during packing

A successful move starts as soon as you begin putting things in boxes. Packing well not only helps protect belongings, it can also help you use fewer boxes. That’s less to purchase, less for a moving crew to load, and less to fit inside the equipment (which could possibly make a smaller moving truck or moving container work). All great ways to save money!

Move only what you need

Take time to go through and rehome things that won’t be needed in the new place — oftentimes these are things that don’t have an emotional or practical value.

Find a new home for sentimental items

If there are things you don’t want to move but that have emotional value (perhaps antique furniture, heirlooms or photo albums), consider giving them to family members or close friends. Talk with them about pieces they may want before getting rid of them. Some of their beloved keepsakes may surprise you!

Protect belongings from damage

Once you’ve decided what to move, use care when packing and securing the items. For a long-distance move, this is especially critical, since things can shift during transit. Follow our expert tips as you pack and load to help ensure everything arrives at the new home in good condition.

Keep medicines with you

Be sure not to pack daily medications and supplements into the moving truck.

Use care when loading

Even if you’re in the best shape of your life, be careful carrying and maneuvering items in and out of the moving equipment. Use these tips to properly lift boxes. 

Ask family or friends to assist with loading and unloading

Plan to invite them over the day after the moving equipment arrives, so your helpers don’t have to wait around. If that’s not an option or you need extra support, consider hiring moving labor.

Make changes and transfers

In the weeks leading up to the move, make sure to let friends, family and any important businesses know the new address. While you can forward mail for a while, changing the address with the USPS will ensure you still get important mail without delay. If you’re handling a move for a loved one and plan to make these updates, you may need a Power of Attorney letter.

Keep your income coming

Notify the Social Security Administration and/or retirement fund accounts of the move. In most cases, benefits will transfer to a new address (as long as the move is within the United States), but you’ll need to change it, even for electronic payments. Change your address with the SSA online or at a local office.

Find new doctors and specialists in your new city 

Ask your current doctors to refer you to someone in your new hometown. They may have peer recommendations or suggestions that can help select the best providers based on care needs.

Arrange for current providers to send medical records to your new providers before the move, so there’s no gap in care. Find out how to transfer medical records here. Also, contact your pharmacy to transfer prescriptions to a new location.

Check insurance coverage

Moving to a new state may affect Medicare or other insurance coverage. Talk with the provider to ensure the plan is transferable or to select a new one.

Our #1 senior moving tip: Use U-Pack

Whether you’re moving to a retirement community or helping a loved one downsize, we can help. U-Pack is a self-moving service where you do the loading and unloading, and we do the driving — which is a big money-saver for many people moving long distance.

And, if you need help with the loading and unloading, we can refer you to pre-qualified moving labor services. Learn more about how U-Pack makes senior moving simple, and then get a quote to check rates.

If you have any questions about senior moving, leave us a comment or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077. One of our moving consultants will be happy to help you.