Packing tips for seniors

Moving is a tough and stressful process. It’s not easy on the students and other youth groups, and even less so on the seniors. While its true that seniors might have more free time to organize the move there are other issues that might complicate the move for you if you are a senior. Carrying heavy loads might be out of the question. You might have a lot of items accumulated over the years. All in all, there are certain things to watch out for, when preparing for the move as a senior. things that might come into the forefront at the first step of the move – the packing process. Therefore we’ve come up with these packing tips for seniors, to help you along!

Plan in advance

One major advantage that seniors will have is free time. This may seem like an unimportant bonus, however in when it comes to moving, time to prepare for the move is essential. So, take advantage of this fact and plan your packing well in advance. Make a moving checklist of all the items you will be taking along as well as any essentials you will need to pack. Then, make a plan spanning several days, so you pack in stages. This way you will ensure that you put as little strain on yourself as possible. Take into account your daily routines and plan around them while setting aside enough time for rest.  If able, plan the packing in a way that leaves you with a day reserved for resting between two packing stages.

De-clutter

Chances are that over the years you have gathered and kept a lot of items. Some have sentimental value, others you need but there is bound to be a few that only take up space. Senior movers report that on average, seniors are more likely to move more items than other groups. Moving these will cost you more money. Also, it will mean more time spent packing. So use the move as an opportunity to de-clutter. When making a list of items you will be moving, go through all your possessions and leave out those that you really won’t be needing anymore. Then, you can sell or give away these, either to friends and family or to a charity. Certain charities will pick up the items you want to donate for you, saving you additional time.

Packing the essentials

After de-cluttering it’s time to start the actual packing. The most important items you need to take care of will be, naturally, the essentials. These include:

• Any medication you use daily
• Medication that you might need in an emergency
• Personal identification documents like ID’s and driver’s licenses
• Money and credit cards
• Documents
• Any small valuables that you can carry with you, instead of packing them for the moving truck
• Keys
• Cellphone
• Clothing options, depending on the climate

While these are the most important items, it might be a good idea to pack them last. Not only will you probably be needing them all through the packing process, but you might also find some essentials like documents while packing other items. So, set aside a bag for essentials and keep adding to it as you go along with the packing, saving the daily essentials for last.

Packing small items

When packing small items ranging from clothes to cutlery, consider who will be moving the boxes. If you plan to carry them yourself, make sure you pay attention to the weight of the box, to avoid injury. It’s better to have more boxes that you could move with ease on several trips, than having fewer boxes that would present a health risk. Additionally, make sure you label the boxes. This tip comes in handy no matter if you will be moved by professional movers or you will do it yourself.

Labeling the boxes with their destination in your new home (for example kitchen or bedroom) will make it easier for moving professionals to sort them in their correct rooms, leaving you with less work when unp[acking. Also labeling boxes with priority will enable you to unpack in stages, unpacking the things you will need sooner first. This way you can make an easy unpacking plan as well that won’t be too much of a strain.

Packing collectibles

Another thing that should be mentioned in any good list of packing tips for seniors are collectibles. Many senior citizens will have at least one of these items that need special care when packing. Ranging from bubble wrap to packing peanuts, glassine paper, and even crates, collectibles need extra protection when packing. Same goes for any fragile items that have emotional value. Paying extra care to pack these will ensure your cherished keepsakes arrive at your new home unharmed

Packing heavy items

You should avoid packing heavy items yourself. Hiring furniture movers or having family members help you would be a better idea. Packing things like sofas or cupboards can be tough even for younger people. When it comes to seniors though it might even pose a health risk. The money you would save on hiring professionals would be small compensation for the time and money could potentially lose in case of an injury. Not to mention pain and discomfort. Therefore, consider getting help to deal with the heavy items. One more advantage of professional movers is that they will know how to pack your heavy items properly, so they don’t get damaged in transport. While this is important for all your possessions it comes even more into play if you have any antiques that you will be moving, as these are both fragile and hard to repair.

Watch out for your health – one of the most important packing tips for seniors

Something we talked about throughout this article was taking care of your health when packing.  Moving is a time of heavy lifting and possible stressful and hasty moments. Therefore it is very important, especially for seniors, to take care to do things in a way that will avoid any risk of injury. Avoid heavy lifting for prolonged periods of time or, even better at all. Set aside ample time for the moving process to not end up rushing the whole thing. This will help you avoid stress. Be objective about your condition throughout the process and don’t be afraid to take a break or ask for help, if you feel fatigued or out of breath.

Employing packing tips for seniors

Now that we’ve gone through our list of packing tips for seniors, you are prepared to take this task head-on. Which doesn’t mean you should clash with it. Make it light and well-planned effort and you will reap the many benefits. Just take it easy and stay positive, the new place you’re moving to will soon have the charm of your old home with all the novelty of your old one!