Senior Couple Packing and using a Moving ChecklistMoving to another place can be very demanding especially for older adults. It requires a lot of preparation and planning. Whether you are moving to an assisted living, retirement community or simply another house, staying organized is key to a stress-free move.

 

Use this checklist to make your move easier. This checklist contains suggestions and tips to make your move as simple as possible.

 

This Checklist Includes Tips for the following:

Six to Eight weeks before your move
One month before the move
Two weeks before the move
One week before the move
One day before the move
Moving day

 

Six to Eight weeks before your move:

  • Get a quote from at least 3 moving companies if you decide to use a mover. You might want to read Tips For Choosing A Reliable Moving Company.
  • If you decide to move everything yourself, make arrangements with a truck rental company if necessary.
  • Buy moving supplies: Boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap, etc.
  • Come-up with a floor plan to know which furniture to bring, leave, dispose or give away.
  • If you need a storage place, start looking for one and book it.
  • Arrange a transport service for your pets, if necessary.
  • Fill-out the USPS Change of Address form.
  • Start packing items that you do not use often.
  • Be sure to save all the receipts for your moving expenses, as they may be tax deductible. Please consult your CPA or tax adviser for more information.
  • Organize all your important documents like birth certificate, medical records, passports, tax returns, bank statements, etc and put them in a safe box.
  • Research about your new community. It will be helpful to know things about your neighborhood.
  • Pick a move date.

 

One month before your move:

  • Select a moving company. Confirm the date, the price and other moving details. Be sure to get all the moving costs in writing.
  • Inform clubs or any organizations you belong to about your move and submit letter of resignation, if necessary.
  • Arrange hotel accommodations, car rental, airline reservations or temporary housing, if necessary.
  • Cancel magazine and newspaper subscriptions
  • Notify your doctors and ask for new physician referrals in your new area.
  • Make a list of relatives, friends and other people you want to inform about your move and give them your new contact information.
  • Contact your bank to make arrangements for transferring accounts, if necessary and order new checks with your new address.
  • If you have a safety deposit box, be sure to clean it out.
  • Call your utility service companies for your cable, gas, water, internet, telephone, etc to schedule a disconnection date for your old house and connection date for your new home.
  • Advertise your garage/yard sale if you plan to have one.

 

Two weeks before your move:

  • Contact the moving company and reconfirm.
  • Confirm travel reservations if needed.
  • Continue packing. Make sure to label each box and keep an inventory.
  • Contact your insurance agent to give your new address as it may affect your property, medical and auto insurance.
  • Finalize the floor plan.
  • Contact any creditors to inform them of your move.
  • Close any local charge accounts.
  • Make arrangements with a cleaning service to clean your old house, if necessary.
  • Disassemble any furniture, if needed.

 

One week before your move:

  • Try to finish packing.
  • Fill any prescriptions or medications, if necessary.
  • Plan meals for the whole week so you can start emptying your refrigerator.
  • Dispose any unwanted things and furniture.

 

The day before your move:

  • Finish packing and labeling the boxes.
  • Pack your suitcase with one set of clothes, toiletries, medications, towels, blankets, etc.
  • Check all cabinets, drawers, and closets to make sure you packed everything.
  • Check the gas and oil of your car.
  • Set aside boxes, tape, scissors, rope, markers, etc for last minute packing.
  • Empty, clean and defrost your refrigerator and freezer.
  • If you’re travelling, purchase traveler’s checks if you need to.

 

Moving day:

  • Do not make any plans for the day. Chances are you will be home the entire time to supervise the move.
  • Be sure that the truck that shows up belongs to the moving company you chose.
  • Verify the delivery address, delivery date and directions are correct.
  • Carry all valuable items yourself like important documents, jewelries, etc.
  • Before leaving the house, make sure to check the entire house to make sure you don’t forget anything.
  • Turn off all appliances before you leave.
  • Throw all the trash.
  • Notify family or close friend of our itinerary for emergency purposes.
  • If the house will be vacant, be sure to contact your insurance agent and the police department to let them know that they house will be empty.

 

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