How Seniors Can Benefit From the Assistance ofMoving Services
From community events to senior advocacy, Clearlake Senior Center provides high-quality services, transportation, and nutrition to Clearlake seniors. Contact us for more info today! (707)994-3051
If you are a senior with plans to relocate soon, just thinking about the work that goes into moving can be exhausting. Especially if you are saying goodbye to a place you’ve called home for years, the prospect comes with a lot of emotional strain, as well as physical exertion. Luckily, there are a variety of services you can call on to make your move less burdensome. Some moving companies cater particularly to seniors. You may even want to hire a senior move manager to relieve you of some of the work of planning and overseeing the move. Here’s some advice from Clearlake Senior Center about employing a move manager’s services.
Why hire senior moving services?
Packing and moving all your possessions on your own is a daunting task. For older adults, the work of carrying and loading many heavy boxes can be physically risky. Hiring movers is a wise choice, both for the sake of your mental clarity and to protect yourself from injury. Not all moving companies are created equal, however.
MYMOVE notes that some moving companies are unprofessional and provide poor service, and even reliable companies may not offer all the services that seniors are looking for. A moving company that specializes in assisting seniors will often offer discounts even on their most basic packages. Many will offer downsizing services, as well. CarePatrol points out that they should also be aware of how to minimize the danger of potential transfer trauma.
How a senior move manager can help you
Seniors who do not feel up to the demands of organizing and facilitating the whole moving process, or who don’t have loved ones nearby to help them, can hire a senior move manager to take care of this for them. A senior move manager can help with decluttering and organizing belongings and even arrange sales or donations. They will supervise the packing, and coordinate with moving services. They will even help you plan the design and layout of your new home. Even if you feel you can manage much of the moving process on your own, a move manager can support you through the move so you aren’t on your own.
Hiring movers can also free you up to take care of selling your old home
It’s not just the move that is stressful—you also may be involved in trying to sell your existing home, purchasing a new one, or both. Or, you may be trying to locate an assisted living facility that suits your needs. Sometimes you may not even be able to afford your new residence until you’ve sold your old one. Be sure to learn about the real estate market in your area to get an idea about how much you can get for your home. You can easily go online to do your research.
For instance, you’ll find that the median home sale price of properties in Clearlake currently stands at $247,500. Having moving services will free you and your loved ones up to focus on the project of selling your home. You may have some projects you want to accomplish to increase your home’s value. You can use online home estimate tools to get an idea of what you will get for the sale of your property. Also, let a professional real estate agent guide you in showing your house and making the sale, as well as in finding a great new home.
Moving your business
Sometimes changing residences can also accompany relocating a business as well. You may or may not use the same moving service, but you should coordinate with your business movers as early as possible regardless. You should also work closely with your IT team to ensure that disruptions to service are minimized. Business moves are also a good time to try to shift labor to remote work if possible.
How to locate reputable moving services
You can find an array of different moving companies advertised online, but don’t just hire the first ones you find. It’s important to read reviews, and if possible, see which services other seniors recommend. If you have concerns about making these choices, a good senior move manager will be eager to answer any questions you may have, including giving estimates for the cost of their services to handle everything.
Additional tips for avoiding injuries while moving
Even with the assistance of movers and a move manager, it’s still important for you to protect yourself from being injured during the move. If you plan on doing some packing and loading, be sure to stretch first, and don’t try to carry anything that is too heavy for you. Dress sensibly in comfortable shoes and avoid wearing baggy or flowing garments you could trip on.
Don’t start on a packing or moving project without being sufficiently rested and hydrated. There are a lot of emotions tied up in the prospect of moving – including relocating your business – on top of all the work involved. It’s important to be gentle with yourself and not push yourself too hard during this stressful time. When you have the assistance of moving professionals you can trust, this can help you navigate this major lifestyle change more easily.
Written by: Andrea Needham of Eldersday.org