Moving seniors calls for special consideration

By NextHome Staff
January 23, 2018

Seniors may have emotional response and the help of a professional can help ease their anxiety.

By Chuck ResnickMoving one’s home is one of the most exciting – and stressful – times in a person’s life.This is especially true for seniors, who may have a more emotional response to the move than might their children or grandchildren.Reasons vary, but anxiety is at the root of all of them, from grief over leaving the home they have loved for decades, to the fear of their cherished belongings possibly being broken or lost.This is a time when seniors and their families may want to consider hiring professional movers who are trained to make the process as easy and stress free as possible.If so, you will want to ask the right questions about items such as cost, insurance and cancellation policies. You also want to find out what special considerations the movers have in place to accommodate and reassure senior clients. For example, does the mover offer complete packing and unpacking services, as well as storage opportunities? Two men and a Truck Canada, for example, offers storage for people who are downsizing. We will even plan our moving route to detour along the way and drop off furniture or other items that are being given to family members.Ask potential movers about security measures to ensure that nothing is taken from the truck while items are being carried inside the destination home. This is particularly important in condominiums and apartment buildings. We have a third mover on our teams to provide a set of eyes on the truck the entire time. This provides a great deal of peace of mind to seniors. So does the fact that our workers are clean, uniformed, fully licensed, insured, bonded, polite and patient. We operate by The Grandma Rule — to treat everyone the way we would want our grandma to be treated.Your professional mover should also be aligned with seniors’ facilities, with an understanding of things such as when elevators can be used. Many senior living communities and residences have protocols and guidelines that must be followed. Of course, senior moves may entail other scenarios such as moving from a cottage to a primary residence or moving and storing belongings during a renovation.Pertinent questions to ask a potential professional mover include whether an estimate is free, whether they will conduct it in the seniors’ home and what kinds of payment options are available. Are things such as shrink-wrap and padding extra? Find out about the logistics of moving day: do they have an office contact number should challenges arise? This should be a landline, not a cellphone. If the mover packs for you, will heirlooms and other items with sentimental value be treated with special care? The keys to a successful seniors move are open, honest communication and providing service that instills confidence. Seniors feel comfortable when they know what to expect on moving day. In fact, all clients benefit from this level of attention.At Two Men and a Truck, we take our clients’ concerns seriously, and we understand that every customer’s needs will be different. When hiring a mover, ask all the questions you have to ensure that moving day will be a positive experience for you and your loved ones.Chuck Resnick is vice president, marketing and operations at Two Men and A Truck Canada.www.twomen.ca

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