Moving Tips - Senior Living

by Sheri Stritof

Moving is one of the most stressful things a person has to endure. If you are planning a move, here are some tips to help make it a more pleasant experience.

Plan as far in advance as you can.

Start sorting your belongings and get rid of things you really don't need or want anymore. You can give items to family and friends, have a garage sale, or donate them to a thrift store.

Decide which carrier you will use to move your belongings. Make sure you request replacement cost insurance.

Get your packing supplies ahead of time. You will need boxes, packing tape, permanent markers, tissue paper, newspaper and/or blank newsprint, bubble wrap or pellets, scissors, and a box cutter.

Use small boxes. We discovered that the most inexpensive place to get boxes is at a moving company or storage facility that will sell used boxes.

Having them all the same size makes stacking and storing easier if you don't think you will be unpacking them right away.

Decide how you will keep track of the boxes. Some people mark them by rooms. We marked them according to priority - low, medium and high - and with a number. We started a database in Access and numbered the boxes. The database included a listing of the items in the box.

Pack carefully. Try and make sure your packed boxes don't weigh more than 50 pounds.

When you are packing plates, don't pack them horizontally as it puts too much weight on the bottom ones. Standing them vertically with lots of packing material or bubblewrap between them.

Glasses should have crumbled paper put inside them before rolling in paper or bubblewrap.

Pack knives very carefully and label the box that it has sharp items in it.

It is best to not pack jewelry and important documents. Keep them with you.

Pack a box with some items that you could have access to right away at your new location. Include paper towels, plates, glasses, silverware, napkins, a change of clothes, light bulbs, telephone, snacks, bed linens, towels, toiletries, hammer, pliers, screwdriver, trash bags, utility knife, and cleaning supplies. Keep this box away from the movers so it is the last box on the moving van. That way it will be first off. Label it so it goes into one of the bathrooms. It will be easier to find that way.

When the movers arrive, let them do their job and stay out of their way. Treat yourself to dinner out that night! As you unpack items, do some more sorting and simplify your life by getting rid of more items that you really don't need.

	Debora Dyess BellaOnline's Senior Living Editor