6 Moving Tips for Older Adults
Key Takeaways
- These moving tips for seniors can help you relocate safely.
- Avoid moving unnecessary items, get the help you need, and pack your belongings carefully.
- On busy days, be sure to take breaks and drink plenty of water.
- Update your contact information and check if you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period.
Moving can be stressful at any age, but as you get older, planning ahead and watching out for safety become even more crucial. Common moving injuries can cause severe issues; falls and other accidents around the home send millions of U.S. adults over 65 to the hospital every year.
Follow these packing and moving tips to make sure everything goes smoothly… and that you have the healthcare coverage you need once you’re living at your new address.
1. Cut the Clutter
This is one of the most essential moving tips and tricks: Start by reducing how much stuff you have to take with you, especially if you’re relocating to a smaller space. It sounds simple, but deciding what to leave behind is often more difficult than you’d expect. It’s a good idea to begin organizing early so you have plenty of time to think about what to pack up and what to leave behind.
Go room by room and consider what items you will or won’t need in your new home. Make the easiest calls first, like throwing out old mail and expired food, before making tough choices. Then, consider what belongings you will use in the years to come and which sentimental objects are truly meaningful to you.
Consider donating other items like old clothes and children’s toys that are still in good shape. Place the things you’d like to give away in bags and contact a local organization to schedule a pickup. Try to avoid creating a “maybe” pile, which can slow down and complicate the whole process.
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2. Get Help
Moving is hard work. While you may want to protect smaller valuables and private documents by moving them yourself, you should never put your safety at risk by trying to lift bulky items.
You may have family members who can pitch in, but also consider hiring professional movers to move more quickly and efficiently. If you’re concerned about the expense of working with a moving company, check whether there are programs in your community that offer low-cost or free services for older adults. A senior move manager can also provide specialized advice and supervision of your move.
3. Pack Carefully
Start packing well before your planned move date to minimize stress as the day approaches. Remember that heavier items like books should go into small boxes while lighter things like bedding can be packed into larger ones. Within each box, position the bulkier items at the bottom to prevent damage.
Label the boxes to indicate what’s inside and what room they should be in at your new residence. Be sure to set aside anything you need immediately after the move so you can find it easily. Clear plastic bins are a great option for keeping items visible and accessible.
4. Take Breaks
Packing and moving can be exhausting, so allow time to relax between tasks. By planning as far in advance as possible, you can set a schedule that won’t be overwhelming.
If you’re on your feet a lot on moving day, be sure to rest often and drink plenty of water. Older adults are at higher risk for dehydration than younger people.
5. Update Your Mailing Address
You don’t want to miss any important communications, so remember to update your contact information before you relocate. Common places to update your address include the following:
- Send a change of address form to the U.S. Postal Service at least two weeks before your move.
- Notify the Social Security Administration, which shares information with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, through your online account or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- Contact your utility, phone, internet, and cable providers.
- Notify your bank.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, or a Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) plan, contact your insurance carrier.
Ready for a new Medicare Advantage plan?
6. Check if you Qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period
You generally have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15- Dec. 7) to make changes to your Medicare coverage. However, when you move, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Original Medicare is a federal program that is not impacted by where you live within the U.S., but the availability of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans depends on your ZIP code.
Check whether any of these situations apply to you:
- If you move out of the service area for your current Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan, you can either change to a new plan or switch back from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare.
- If you’re still in your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan’s service area but have additional options at your new address, you can switch from one plan to another.
- If you’re moving into a long-term care facility, you can join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, switch from your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan to another one, switch back from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, or stop your Part D coverage.
Putting It All Together
Moving takes a lot of planning and hard work. Preparing in advance and getting help can make the process more manageable. If you qualify for a Medicare Special Enrollment period, explore your options to see if better coverage is available.
Sources
- Special Enrollment Periods. Medicare.gov
- 8 Tips for Decluttering Before a Big Move. AARP.
- How to Stay Hydrated for Better Health. NCOA.
Update contact information. Social Security Administration.