Planning your move - Senior and Assisted Living Checklist
So you’ve found a senior living community you love. Now you have to sort through belongings, pack them up, and move. Maybe you have a house to sell as well. A little organization and preparation can make the process a lot more manageable with all of the moving items and senior living options. That's why we developed a handy senior and assisted living checklist to help you stay organized during your move. These resources can help, too.
- Selling Your Home
- Planning Your Move
- Countdown to Your Move
While you can sell your home on your own, real estate transactions can be complicated. Since a home can be a sizable asset, utilizing a real estate agent may save you time and money. There are Senior Real Estate Specialists who are specially trained to meet the unique real estate needs of seniors. Talk with at least three potential agents. You want to feel like they understand your wants and needs. Here are some other criteria to consider:
- How long have they been doing this?
- How many houses have they sold?
- How many did they sell last year?
- What is their commission?
- How do they intend to market your home?
- What will they do for you that another agent won't?
- Can they provide references of people they have worked with in the past year?
- What separates them from the other real estate agents?
Additional resource:
Choose a REALTOR® to Sell Your Home
Set a timetable. Get a calendar and dedicate certain days for everything you need to accomplish, including sorting, repairs, estate or garage sales, packing, and moving.
If possible, enlist the help of a professional. There are senior move managers who specialize in assisting older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation. You can find a senior move manager in your area at the National Association of Senior Move Managers.
Additional Resources:
“How to Prepare Your House for Sale” from Homebuying/Selling on About.com
Countdown to Your Move
You’re making the move, and now it’s time to get organized. These tips and ideas can help with your countdown to moving. Start as soon as you can. A little bit each day makes a real difference.
1. Start Sorting Now
Pick one area to start with: the bedroom closet; the kitchen cabinets; your files. An hour or two a day is enough time to spend. The important thing is to begin.
How are you moving? Decide and make your reservations as soon as possible; ideally at least eight weeks before your move.
2. What Do I Do With My Stuff?
Start early to find a home for items you’re not taking along. Now’s the time to give the books to the library; to find out if your daughter wants Grandma’s china; to see if the consignment shop will take the extra chairs. Try antique dealers, consignment shops, yard sales, non-profits, etc. Each resource has its own guidelines.
Begin using up canned goods and items in your freezer. If you have too many items, consider donating them to the local food pantry.
3. Make A Floor Plan
Ask your community representative for a floor plan of your new home. This will allow you to visualize where your furniture will fit and prevent you from taking too many pieces with you.
4. Successful Packing
Try to pack a bit each day. Label each box with what's inside and where it goes. Put a big, bright sticker on the boxes that contain essentials. Here’s more information about packing tips and tricks.
5. Notify Everyone
Start contacting friends, family, businesses, and services companies to change your address.
- Complete an IRS and Post Office change-of-address form.
- Contact your financial providers, such as your bank, lawyer, insurance agents, and credit card companies.
- Contact your utility and service companies to arrange to have your services disconnected soon after you move. Nothing’s worse than the power being cut at 8:00 when the movers are arriving at 9:00.
6. Set Aside Your "Day Of The Move" Box
Set aside items that you will need the day of the move: an overnight bag with a change of clothes and personal items (toiletries, medications); important papers; bedding; cleaning supplies (sponges, paper towels, soap). Also, include whatever form of payment the moving company requests; most will not accept a personal check.
7. It's Moving Day
Moving can be a stressful time for everyone. You are saying goodbye to part of your life; and hello to the future. Expect to feel a little sadness and nervousness, but excitement, too! Your Brightview Senior Living associates will be happy to welcome you, so be sure to let us know how we can help.
Moving to Senior and Assisted Living Checklist
- Utilities & Services
- Electric
- Gas
- Water
- Garbage
- Telephone / Mobile
- Cable
- Internet
- Fuel
- Water Delivery / Water Treatment
- Pool Service
- Lawn / Garden Services
- Housecleaning Services
- Physicians / Veterinarian
- Attorney
- Financial & Personal Accounts
- Banks
- Loan Institutions
- Major Credit Card Companies
- Department Store Credit Cards
- Insurance Agencies (Health, Home/life, and Auto)
- Charge Accounts
- Pension Plans
- Air Miles Rewards Program
- Accountant / Tax Consultant
- Professional Memberships / Licensing Boards
- Government & Public Offices
- Post Office
- Veteran Affairs
- Income Tax / IRS
- Family Support
- Social Security
- Pension Benefits
- Unemployment Insurance
- Vehicle Registration
- Driving License
- Subscriptions
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Mail Order Houses
- Book and Music Clubs
Download our Planning Your Move Checklist