Thursday, February 9, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions

Senior Moves | Relocation and Moving | Home and Office Organization
Senior Moves
How do we determine the type of facility that is right for our older relative?

There are many types of facilities to accommodate seniors in transition, ranging from smaller homes and condos to assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The level of care your senior relative needs will determine the specific type of facility they should go to. Get input from health care providers, family members, and your older relative to help make this determination.

Resources

During the evaluation process, when is the best time to visit a facility?

It's best to visit during the middle of the day, to get a good idea about the daily routine of the facility, and the behavior of the support staff.

Resources

When transitioning a senior to a new living arrangement, where does the stuff go?

A person who has lived in a home for 20 or 30 years has accumulated a large number of personal possessions. Though some of these items may have a place in the new environment, a senior usually needs to downsize significantly. A senior move manager can assist seniors and their families in sorting through possessions to choose those that are most useful, and have the greatest emotional value. The Senior Move Manager can assist in arranging the distribution or disposal of the rest, in estate sales, auctions, and gifts to friends and family members.

Resources

How does our relative's attitude affect the transition?

It is best that the senior be on board with this decision; the transition goes much smoother if your relative is included in the process and part of the team. It is important that your relative's desires, concerns, priorities, and fears are heard, addressed, and when ever possible, accommodated. This will lay the foundation of trust necessary for a smooth, seamless and effective transition while minimizing the potential for Relocation Stress Syndrome (RSS). As an experienced, knowledgeable and, above all, objective professional, the senior move manager can help with this crucial aspect of the transition.

Resources

Recommended Reading:
Relocation and Moving
Are there items that moving companies won't move?

Due to federal regulations, moving companies can't move plants distances greater than 150 miles. However, if your destination is within 150 miles, then moving companies are permitted to move them. Regardless of travel distance, you should check with the movers and their individual policies.

Movers also can't transport anything flammable or combustible, including any type of fuel, like propane tanks, tiki torch oil, or gas cans. This means you have to ensure that oil and gasoline are removed from lawn mowers, weed whackers and other power equipment. Movers can't transport hazardous chemicals of any kind, such as pesticides, or other items that may be considered hazardous, or toxic. For example, you can't place fertilizers within a moving van. You must find another way to transport these items.

Resources

What should we take with us on moving day?

On moving day you will want to take the essentials with you such as a change of clothes, medications, and toiletries. You also want to keep your valuables such as jewelry and family heirlooms with you. That way you know that they are safe by being able to keep track of them at all times. If you are planning on sleeping at your new residence the night of the move, mark the boxes of items you will need to unpack so that you will be able to wash your face, brush your teeth, sleep in your bed & have a cup of coffee in the morning.

Are used moving boxes OK to use?

Yes, you can re-use boxes, as long as the following conditions are met: the person or company that supplied the boxes is reputable, and the boxes have been used for only one previous move. The integrity of the boxes will begin to degrade with more than one previous use.

In the Boston-area, Benezra Boxes is a great resource for used moving boxes. They supply quality, used and new moving boxes at unbeatable prices and will even deliver them.

You can also check out U-Haul's new online box-exchange program, a cost and environment-saving opportunity that allows the company's sturdy boxes to be posted for reuse before eventually being recycled.

Where can we find moving boxes?

Your moving company will deliver all the moving supplies you request. U-Haul stores, Home Depot, and Lowes also sell moving boxes and supplies. There are many on-line companies that allow you to order on-line and deliver. We recommend Benezra Boxes.

Home and Office Organization
What should we do with the stuff we don't need and want?

Once you have completed the sorting process and have determined the items you no longer want or need you can find new homes for them in any of the following ways:

  • Donate goods to a local charity and receive a tax benefit
  • Have a garage/tag sale
  • Call The Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, Big Brothers Big Sisters, or
    Vietnam Veterans for pickup
  • Sell goods online (e.g., eBay or Craigslist)
  • Place goods with a consignment store
  • Give family-related memorabilia to children, grandchildren, brothers, or sisters
  • Tap your social network (e.g., church members) to see if they want certain items
  • Freecycle (A grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.)
Should we buy containers before we start our organizing project?

No. Wait until you have finished the process of deciding what items you are going to retain. Then decide where you are going to store them. Now you can purchase the right types and sizes of containers that best suit your storage needs.

How do we deal with closets that are stuffed with clothing?

You need to determine what you really wear. Remember the 80–20 rule. Most people wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time. Here's a trick to help you identify that all important 20%:

Hang the clothes you're not sure about in the wrong direction so that you need to lift the hanger up and back in order to remove the item from your closet. When you return the clothing, hang it like you normally would. At the end of the season it will be clear what you have and haven't worn. Entertain the idea of donating the clothes you don't wear to someone who needs them.