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For a variety of reasons, such as the need for less space after children have grown and moved out of your home, older adults may find it desirable to consider downsizing and moving to a smaller living space. The decluttering and simplification that can accompany a move also benefit a senior's emotional and physical well-being. Planning and going through a move, however, can be stressful and cause injuries if mishandled. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a move that will simplify your life and ease you into your new home.

Like most worthwhile endeavors, a successful move requires thoughtful planning and preparation. The most common moving mishap is not poor packing practices, but failing to identify and consider your needs and goals as you prepare for relocation. Planning will allow you to pack in stages, which is an excellent way to break a massive undertaking down into small, manageable pieces. Easing into the packing and moving process also helps seniors maintain a semblance of order in their lives as the moving date approaches. Consider what items you’ll need to access quickly throughout the move and what things you can pack away for a later date. You may place a lot of sentimental value on specific objects, but many of these things you’ll never use and are growing dusty and old in a closet. You should use this move as an opportunity to purge your house of excess, but if you have a lot of items taking up space that you’re just not ready to part with yet, consider renting a storage unit to keep them in until you’ve moved into your new home and unpacked. Once your new space is set up, you may find it easier to let go of your stored belongings.

The AARP has some great tips on handling downsizing. One of these tips is very helpful for decluttering purposes. Pick up packs of Post-it notes in six different colors. Use these colors as codes for the things that you want to move, sell, throw away, donate, put up for grabs, or pass along to family members. Deciding which items you want to pass along now has an added benefit of handling heirlooms today rather than leaving the issue for the future.

Other tips that you can incorporate into a moving plan include creating a room-by-room checklist of essential items so that it’ll be easier to determine where your things belong as you unpack. Whether you are handling the move yourself—which, as a senior, you need to be very careful about—or relying on a moving company, friends, or family, ensure that you have the right packing materials to get the job done correctly and minimize damage to your things. In addition to the Post-it notes, make sure you have enough boxes, tape, markers, and materials to protect fragile items. Rather than buying bubble wrap and packing peanuts immediately, you can use linens and clothing as protection for your delicate things.

Make sure to have a separate box of essential items at the ready. These crucial items include paperwork, medications, eyeglasses, a directory of phone numbers (for the mover, landlord, etc.), phone chargers, and anything that you absolutely will need if your moving materials get lost or damaged in the move.

If you have pets who will be moving with you, it's also important to consider their needs before and during the move. As stressful as relocation is on a human, it can be much more upsetting to a dog or cat. Their world gets turned upside down during a move, and they don't know why. There are many ways to comfort your pet during this process, including creating a box of essentials (with a leash, toys, pet bed, and vaccination papers), creating a safe zone at your old place and the new house, and sheltering the pet from the noise and commotion of a move.

As an older adult, putting a move in perspective as a positive and revitalizing change is the key to success, and a well-organized plan will help smooth the transition.

By: Jim McKinley