Moving? Let our checklist help you organize everything!
Diamond Geriatrics’ Moving Experiences
Moving Experiences is the all in one service which will help you or your loved one with all of the practical and emotional issues which arise from the process of moving into Seniors Housing. We will talk through with you your options and what is right for you. We will sit down with you and help you look for and choose the housing situation which is right for you. We will help you with the giving away or selling the things you no longer need, packing and unpacking, and following up as you get used to the new housing. We will work with you to accomplish all of the tasks in the list below, so that your move is as worry free as possible.
Moving tips:
- It can be exhausting—Do a little bit over a period of time
- Don’t create clutter. Dispose of things as you are going
- Don’t create safety hazards—keep things out of the way.
- Ask for help from family or friends—it can be a lonely or sad time.
- Remember to look forward, as much as you are looking back.
- Find storage at a self serve storage if you are not sure what you wish to part with.
- If you find yourself holding onto something because you “might need it,” ask yourself how often you have needed it in the past year or two. If you haven’t chances are you won’t in the future either.
TIMELINE | ACTIVITY |
3-6 Months Before Moving | DOWNSIZING |
1. | Review floor plan of new residence. Measure furniture. |
2. | Begin the sorting process, starting with the storage areas, to determine what will absolutely not go to the new residence. Get help from family friends and professionals |
3. | Pack up anything that you are planning on taking and will not need for 3 to 6 months (off –season items etc.). Label accordingly and store until the move. |
4. | Arrange for distribution of unwanted household items through sale, recycling and donation to friends, charities and family. |
5. | Review old paperwork. Recycle and shred documents, clippings and papers that you are not required to keep. |
6. | If selling, engage the services of a realtor and lawyer. |
7. | Create a floor plan of your new home for furniture and appliance placement. |
6-8 Weeks Before Moving | PREPARATION |
1. | Choose a mover or truck rental company. Get several estimates. |
2. | Arrange for dental, vet and medical records to be transferred to your new address. |
3. | Draw up your move notification list-friends, subscriptions, memberships, banking, utilities, phone, Doctors etc. |
4. | Start using food and cleaning products that cannot be moved. |
4-6 Weeks Before Moving | PREPARATION |
1. | Arrange for change of address with post office. |
2. | Notify your home insurance broker of the new address to transfer policy. |
3. | Meet with your pharmacist to arrange the transfer of any open prescriptions to the pharmacy near your new home. |
4. | Notify your utility companies regarding change of service. |
2-4 Weeks Before Moving | PREPARATION |
1. | Dispose of flammables, corrosives, and poisons. Arrange for junk removal. |
2. | Decide if you are taking plants or giving them away. |
3. | Assemble a folder of important information about the house for the new owner of your home. |
4. | Arrange for help on moving day. |
5. | Assemble supplies - boxes, tape, padding etc. |
6. | Notify pensions –private and Government: OAS, CPP, Veteran. |
1-2 Weeks Before Moving | PREPARATION |
1. | Pack and label boxes for moving. |
2. | Make arrangements for cleaners after the move. |
3. | Determine what will not be going in the moving van and coming with you - personal articles, tools, documents, clothing, jewelry art, medication etc and pack separately. |
4. | Book elevators and arrange for access and parking for movers in both locations. |
Moving Day | MOVING |
1. | Double check to see if all closets, drawers and storage areas are empty. |
2. | Arrive ahead of the movers at your new residence. Direct movers on furniture placement. |
3. | Be prepared to pay the movers in cash or credit card. |
4. | Ensure important documents, currency, valuable jewelry and medication is transported with you. |
* We would like to thank Susan Borax of Practically Daughters and Good Riddance (www.goodriddance.ca) for her help in putting this time schedule together. Practically Daughters is the partner in Diamond Geriatrics’ service “Moving Experiences”