“When my father decided it was time for a move, I was pretty stressed about how I was going to get him moved,” recalled June Jacobs, Mr. DeBois’ daughter.

June and her family quickly settled on North Oaks, a nearby independent living community, as her father’s new home. The community suggested she contact a moving coordinator to help with the details of the large move. “I called Senior Transitions, and that was the best call I ever made,” June said. Senior Transitions, Inc. is a moving coordination company owned by Charna Kinneberg, RN, MBA.

Following their initial phone consultation, Charna started working on a floor plan for Mr. DeBois’ new home. She brought her computer to the family home, measured the furniture and quickly ascertained what would fit in the new apartment. June said, “By the time she was done, we knew exactly what furniture we were taking. That was a major help.”

When moving day arrived, Senior Transition’s expertise again proved invaluable. Charna and her staff packed the entire house in just a few days and then enlisted a top-quality mover to handle the complex move. “Throughout the process, every time I would panic, she would assure me that everything would be all right, and she was right,” explained June.

On the day of the move, Mr. DeBois went out to lunch with his caregiver and returned to an apartment that was ready to live in: complete with pictures on the wall, clothes in the closet, food in the fridge, and linens on the bed. After the move was finished, Charna arranged to have people remove the remaining junk and trash from the home.

“I really can’t recommend Charna’s services enough,” June concluded. “She took so much off my plate and made the whole process just amazing. I call her and her staff angels.”

A mere six weeks after deciding he was ready to move, Mr. DeBois was settled into his new home at North Oaks. Today, he is enjoying all that community living has to offer.

Downsizing Tips

After deciding that a move is desirable or necessary, the next step in the moving process is downsizing. You or your loved will likely be moving from a family home to a smaller apartment; therefore, there are a lot of decisions to be made in order to make the new space comfortable and functional. According to Nancy Loyd and Mary Ann Brewer, owners of Busy Buddies, Inc. Moving Services and founding members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), “The first and most important thing to do when you know where you’re moving is to make a floor plan showing each room and the placement of each piece of furniture. Try to take actual measurements of the rooms, and include locations of doors, windows, heaters, outlets, etc.” Next, you have to decide what to take to the new home. Never get rid of an item you really want to keep. However, keep in mind that there might not be room for everything. Try to make decisions that take space limitations into consideration. You should let family members know what you plan to take. Then, schedule specific times for the pick up of items you are giving to family and items you are donating to charity. Finally, make sure all items are prominently labeled. “Use colored stickers to mark what goes to the new place and what doesn’t. This will allow you to keep the home livable through the process and help you remember what goes where when the time comes,” advises Greg Gunderson of Gentle Transitions, a CA senior relocation company.

Packing

If you sort and mark everything appropriately beforehand, then you and your family or moving professionals should be able to easily pack your belongings. It is a good idea to allow the movers to pack most of your belongings. This will make the move much easier on you and will also guarantee that the moving company insures the contents of the boxes in case of damage. Also, if the move takes longer than anticipated because you are disorganized, the movers will charge more. Be sure that each box is labeled with the room it came from and a few of the contents. You may want to photograph your valuables, so that you have a record of their condition before the move. Pack smaller valuables with your personal items, carry them on your person, or place them in a safe deposit box during the move.

Hiring a Moving Company

Identifying all of the articles to be moved with stickers will help to ensure that you receive consistent bids from potential movers. Consult two or three moving companies and be sure to get written estimates. Once you have decided on a mover, you should sign a contract, which should include a specific price. While discussing your contract, be sure you understand the amount of insurance that is provided on your possessions before you make a decision. “The standard coverage, which comes at no cost, is 60 cents per pound per item. That means if a 10-pound crystal bowl costing $500 shattered, a consumer would get only $6,” warns Hope Yen in “How to Find a Reputable Moving Company.” Also, you should be aware that, by law, movers can collect only 10% above the price quoted in a non-binding estimate as long as no additional services were provided.

Using a Senior Move Manager/ Moving Coordinator

One way to guarantee that your move goes well is to enlist the help of professionals. Moving professionals go by a variety of different titles, including Senior Move Managers and Moving Coordinators. The newly formed National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) provides guidelines for many of these professionals. Moving professionals can provide support and assistance with both the physical and emotional aspects of the moving process. They can assess, coordinate, monitor, and perform the steps in the moving process, including: planning; customizing floor plans; referring realtors, movers, shippers, liquidators, charities, and haulers; sorting; contacting utilities; packing; unpacking; organizing; settling; and decorating. Utilizing the help of a professional move manager or moving coordinator can help to alleviate the stress and aggravation of moving, making their fees money well spent.

Special thanks to Sarah Morse and Donna Quinn Robbins, co-authors of Moving Mom and Dad, for material included in this article. You can order a complete copy of the book by calling (570)-703-7476 or by going to www.amazon.com.

Thanks are also due to Nancy Loyd and Marry Ann Brewer of Busy Buddies, Inc. Moving Services for their suggestions and materials. For more information, visit NASMM’s website at www.nasmm.com.