Moving can be stressful at any age, but senior citizens are likely to face unique and difficult challenges. Relocating for senior citizens in Kenya often involves downsizing, moving in with or getting closer to your loved ones, and sorting through decades of personal items and treasured belongings. Some moves may also involve moving elderly parents into a retirement community.
From our decades-long experience as movers for senior citizens in Kenya, moving homes is especially tough for them due to a unique combination of emotional ties and physical demands.
Many elderly citizens have lived in their homes for years, and every room has reminders of important milestones, making it tough to vacate. In fact, they value older items (furniture, appliances, etc.) more than new ones – often citing sentimental reasons and sometimes even decline to accept new purchases or replacements.
Whether you’re moving an elderly parent or are moving yourself, the process requires careful planning, patience, and emotional support. This guide contains practical tips and considerations for moving senior citizens in Kenya – everything you need to plan a stress-free transition.
Key Considerations When Moving Senior Citizens
Every month, Nellions relocates senior citizens in Kenya both locally and internationally. Here are a few key considerations based on our observations and talks;
- Understandably, many senior citizens walk and talk quite slowly. Consequently, they expect things to move at their own pace
- Moving is perhaps more emotional for the elderly compared to younger people. In the process of moving, older adults sometimes experience relocation stress syndrome, which can manifest as anxiety, confusion, loneliness, and hopelessness.
- They sometimes don’t speak clearly, which can be a challenge when they’re explaining a complex task
- Elderly citizens are often friendly, hospitable, and caring. They will often insist that movers pause their work and join them for lunch or drinks at the same table. Declining the offer can be tricky!
- They are usually attached to their old furniture and appliances. They are also very particular when it comes to housekeeping and settling in. You have to install certain items exactly where they want them.
- Most prefer calm or quiet environments. Talking or chattering with high voices might rub a lot of them the wrong way.
- They prefer to move into houses where they can move without help. For instance, they hardly ever move into houses with high staircases unless there are elevators.
Tips for Moving Senior Citizens in Kenya
If you’re helping an elderly parent or loved one move to a new home, always remember: be patient and understanding. Here are some useful tips for moving senior citizens successfully;
1. Start Planning Early
Planning early helps you avoid last-minute surprises, gives you extra time to make decisions, and allows you to adjust in case things change or go wrong later. You can begin sorting through belongings 1-2 months before the moving day.
During the planning stage, consider aspects such as easy access to healthcare and proper housing at the new destination. Elderly citizens moving for retirement prefer quieter neighborhoods with sounds and scenes of nature to the busy, noisy urban life. Get them a house with easy accessibility features such as sleeping quarters on the ground floor.
2. Create a Seniors’ Moving Checklist
With a seniors’ moving checklist, you can ensure you’re checking off each crucial item that needs to get done. It will provide a complete perspective of the upcoming deadlines for your move, so you can stay on target and make the move as smooth as possible.
Here are some essential tasks to accomplish before moving senior citizens in Kenya:
Two Months Before the Move
- Check for mobile accessibility – Senior citizens should be able to move around their new home without any limitations. Make sure the new home provides accommodations for accessibility so that it’s easy to get around or use the house, such as a wheelchair ramp.
- Get moving quotes – Get an estimate to know what you can expect to pay for the move. A quality moving company provides you with an in-person walkthrough for an accurate quote. Make sure that you get a full quote and there will be no surprises on moving day.
- Sort and organize belongings – Home decluttering makes your move easier, so you don’t end up bringing items you won’t use in the new home. Understandably, it can be difficult for the more mature among us to get rid of things that we’ve had for decades. If it’s helpful, give things away to family members for safe keeping, or find a mover who also does long-term storage.
- Book your movers – Movers can book up quickly in high moving seasons, such as summertime, or on a weekend. If you know the date you’ll be moving, make sure to book your day as soon as possible.
One Month Before the Move
- Make a list of valuables – Write down the essential items that are coming into the new home.
- Reconfirm your scheduled appointment with your movers to ensure you know the time and date of the move.
- Begin the packing process – Pack important documents and valuables well in advance so you don’t leave anything behind.
- Get in touch with your physicians – Use this chance to touch base with physicians to ensure prescriptions are up-to-date. They may also have some advice or caution for the moving process, depending on any medical issues.
One Week Before the Move
- Pack any prescribed medication – Small items like medication are easy to forget the closer you get to your move day. Pack them in an easily accessible but impossible to forget place.
- Set up a charity pickup – Save yourself time and back issues by scheduling for a donation truck to visit your home to pick up items you’ll be donating to charity before the move.
- Transfer or forward your mail to go to the new address and inform important companies, such as your insurance company and other billers, of the address change.
Moving Day
- Verify your movers – Ensure you are working with the right moving company by checking for company logos on the movers’ truck and uniforms.
- Get a walkthrough of the home – Make sure the home is in a good condition before you leave the property by doing a walkthrough with the real estate agent or property manager.
- Read and sign the moving documents – Thoroughly review the fine print and ask any questions you may have before signing the final documents for your move.
3. Listen and Ask for Their Input
A move can be emotional for older adults, especially if they’re leaving a home or neighborhood they’ve known their whole lives. Some senior citizens like being involved in the moving process and will often give instructions as to how certain items should be placed. Always involve them in decision-making and listen to their concerns.
Some may need to rest at some point during the day. Move their bed as the last thing from the old house and set it up as the first thing in the new home.
Others are friendly and just like to chat with the movers as they go about their tasks. The need for human connection is innate in all of us, so strive to accommodate them as much as possible.
4. Be Kind and Patient when Moving Senior Citizens
Elderly citizens are generally slow-paced. Making decisions can sometimes take longer with them as you will have to repeat some things for them to fully understand. Always be kind and patient and work with people who are empathetic to the elderly.
Be warm and friendly in conversation and manner when dealing with senior citizens. Listen to their instructions carefully and seek clarification where necessary. You will find that some tend to live far from their loved ones, so they appreciate the chance of having someone to talk to.
5. Declutter Before Moving
Relocating senior citizens often involves downsizing where many opt for a more minimalist lifestyle as they enjoy their golden years. However, downsizing for senior citizens can be distinctly challenging – they will normally have accumulated lots of items, and there may be particularly sentimental items they’re not ready to let go of.
One particular cheat code to downsizing and decluttering at the same time is contracting temporary storage services in Nairobi. This is especially cost-effective for items such as family heirlooms passed down through generations, treasured personal items, and souvenirs.
If you’re not prepared to take on storage costs, you can reach out to family and friends for assistance. A loved one will likely offer their garage, basement, or attic to give you peace of mind for your most prized belongings. You may also sell or donate any gently used items you no longer need.
6. Involve Family, Friends, or Professional House Movers
Enlist the help of family and friends for assistance with tasks such as cleaning, decluttering, and packing. You can rely on professional senior movers in Kenya to load and transport household goods and personal effects with care on moving day.
When choosing a moving company, consider professional movers who have elderly move managers and are members of reputable associations, such as the IAM-trusted Nellions. When you use movers for seniors in Kenya, you can count on a team of experts who know how to manage the move safely and efficiently.
7. Think About Health
Healthcare is something that can’t be put off with senior citizens, so it’s important to have a health plan for your elderly parents in advance.
Start by taking the time to speak to doctors about moving plans, including advising them of your new location. If the move is out of the county or state, for example, insurance providers may need to be switched. You may also need time to forward important health records to your new physicians.
Speaking with your doctors also gives you the opportunity to discuss the appropriate options for packing medication and even getting recommendations for doctors, dentists and therapists in the new community. Also, schedule any final doctor or dental visits before your move. If you start at least one to two months before the move, you can ensure you get the appointment times, care and advice you need in time for the move.
Kenya’s Trusted Movers for Senior Citizens: Nellions Moving and Relocations
Moving senior citizens in Kenya isn’t simple, but it can be a positive start to a new chapter with careful planning and support. Nellions prides itself in helping families streamline the moving process with a reliable team of professional movers and coordinators trained to handle every aspect with precision, care, and respect for your valuables. As a full-service professional moving company, you can count on our expertise and experience for a seamless move.
Looking for movers for senior citizens in Kenya? We are East Africa’s #1 IAM-trusted mover with over 15000 families moved both locally and internationally. Call us today via 0700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke to book a free home survey.
