How to find the best moving services for seniors

Are you planning a move for your parents, grandparents, or an older adult? It isn’t easy planning moves for seniors, especially when they’re used to living in the same home for decades.

Senior relocation is often necessary for financial, health, and safety reasons, but that doesn’t make the process any easier. From finding the right moving services for seniors to laying out the best relocation plan and ensuring their safety, there are a lot of things to take care of.

Fortunately, with the right moving plan, care providers like you can relocate seniors to their next home, stress-free. In this moveBuddha guide, we’ll teach you how to simplify the moving process and show you how to find the best senior moving services, whether you need local moving or you’re planning a long-distance move.

Choosing the best relocation options for seniors

According to the US National Institute of Health, most senior citizens prefer to age in place in their own homes. Unfortunately, this isn’t always an option. Cognitive impairment and physical disabilities — not to mention inaccessible floor plans — make it dangerous for some seniors to live alone.

As a caregiver, it’s your job to find the best possible option for the senior in your life. More often than not, you’ll need to choose between moving within the same community, opting for a retirement home, moving in with family, or planning a long-distance move abroad.

1. Relocating within the same community

Downsizing to age in place usually involves moving into a smaller home that’s more suitable to the needs of seniors. With this option, the senior finds a residence of their choice that’s easier to manage and navigate, allowing them to live independently.

For example, some people opt for senior living communities, which provide a lot of social interaction for adults in their golden years.

The key here is that the senior is relatively mobile and independent. It’s also important to ensure the senior lives with a partner or roommate to combat feelings of loneliness or isolation.

2. Retirement homes

Retirement homes are a popular option if a senior:

• Doesn’t have family nearby
• Has health concerns that need regular monitoring
• Doesn’t want to deal with home maintenance

Retirement homes allow seniors to be part of a community, but they still have independence and healthcare resources if they need help.

3. Moving in with family

Some seniors move in with loved ones if they need to save money, or if they need assistance with daily life. Typically, moving in with a family member means the senior won’t have as much space as they did in their previous home, so downsizing is a must.

Keep in mind that you might need to modify the home to make it senior-friendly. That might include installing bars in the bathroom or putting in wheelchair ramps.

4. Moving to a different state or abroad

Healthy, mobile seniors sometimes move to another state or even another country.

According to the Social Security Administration, over 400,000 retirees collect their benefits from abroad, so this is a surprisingly common choice for older adults. This is a great way to experience adventure in their golden years, but it also helps seniors enjoy lower costs of living after an international move.

Moving abroad is no small decision, though. It’s best for seniors to try living in another country on a temporary basis first before deciding to make a big move. If your senior is considering a move, AARP says the most popular moves for retirees are Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

Once you figure out where you are moving — or where you’re moving a senior loved one — it’s time to consider how to make the move. Read on for the best moving services for seniors and tips on how to streamline the process.

The 5 best moving services for seniors

Whether you just need help loading a moving truck or you need a full-service moving company for the job, it’s critical to choose the best moving service for seniors. Based on moveBuddha’s research, these providers are the best fit for senior relocations.

1. U-Pack

U-Pack is a self-service mover, which means you’ll either need to pack up on your own or hire additional movers to pack up for you. Once you’re ready to move, U-Pack drops off the truck and you have three days to load it. U-Pack will drive the truck to your new destination, where you have another three days to unload.

If you’re price-conscious, U-Pack is one of the most affordable movers for seniors. They offer predictable, accurate pricing via their online quote portal. Plus, they even offer senior discounts!

The downside is that they don’t include labor, so you’ll either need to ask friends and family to help, or hire additional movers for the labor.

2. International Van Lines

If you want a full-service mover, International Van Lines is a popular choice for seniors. This company operates in all 50 states as well as other countries, so it’s ideal for seniors who are relocating to a new area. 

Because it offers packing, loading, transportation, and unloading, International Van Lines is more expensive. The good news is that you can expect about a 15% senior citizen discount, which can certainly make the move more affordable. 

3. American Van Lines

Need help packing and loading? American Van Lines specializes in loading and unloading your items. There’s even a buy-up for packing, so if your senior needs help packing and loading goods, this is one of the best moving services for seniors. 

American Van Lines is one of the most popular long-distance movers in the U.S., so it’s ideal for cross-country moves. The company specializes in packing and shipping fragile items, so if your senior is taking a lot of fragile belongings with them, this is a reputable mover for the job. 

4. Safeway Moving

Safeway Moving is another senior moving company that specializes in long-distance moves. It includes 30 days of free storage with every move, so if there’s a delay between your move-out and move-in dates, its storage options can definitely come in handy. 

You have the freedom to create your own package with Safeway Moving, but it can handle every aspect of moving your loved one, including packing, loading, transportation, storage, and unloading. 

5. JK Moving

Do you live in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C.? JK Moving offers local moving services to these areas, as well as full-service moving help to all 50 states. If you’re helping a senior move, consult JK Moving’s popular smartphone app to manage all aspects of the move in one place. JK Moving doesn’t offer a senior discount, but it does offer financing to break up the costs of moving.

Streamline the senior moving experience

If you’re helping a senior move, be aware that relocating isn’t just a physical process. This is an emotional time, so planning ahead can make the process easier for everyone.

Following a senior moving checklist can certainly help, but if you need professional guidance from moving specialists, moveBuddha recommends following these tips for moving seniors.

Determine the move date

The time of year matters a lot for relocation. Summer might be the most convenient time to move, but demand for moving services is higher during the summer, so it will be more expensive.

But moving a senior in the dead of winter or the chill of fall can come with challenges, too. When in doubt, hire a moving company well in advance of the move so you don’t have to postpone the move-in date.

Manage medical and legal documentation

Before moving, seniors will need help preparing their documents, such as:

• Medical records
• Wills
• Power of attorney
• Tax returns

It’s also a good idea to secure their sensitive documents in a safe deposit box, where seniors can still access them. A fireproof safe at home is also a great option.

If they’re moving into an assisted living facility, you might need to help the senior fill out paperwork before move-in day. For example, some facilities require you to sign documents authorizing staff to make decisions in the event of an emergency.

Budget for the move

From packing materials like boxes to renting a truck to paying for relocation services, moving seniors comes with expenses.

Work with your senior to see how much you can budget for the move. Some movers offer special senior discounts, but even then, it’s good to know how much help you can afford.

For example, seniors with a bigger budget might be able to afford in-home packing services, while seniors on a more modest budget will need help DIYing their move.

Selecting the right senior moving company

Some transport companies have special packages for relocating seniors. If you’re in the market for senior movers with years of experience, check the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) to find a local mover in your area.

As moving specialists, moveBuddha knows a thing or two about hiring full-service movers for seniors. Check out some of our top picks for moving companies across the US to plan the easiest move for your loved one.

Regardless of where you search for movers, evaluate them by these criteria:

• Licensed and insured: Ensure that the company has a license. Look for licensure by the State Department of Transportation, the State Association, or the Bureau of Consumer Affairs. The Federal Department of Transportation is responsible for licensing out-of-state movers. Check that the company also has insurance, which can cover you if there are any injuries or damages during the move.

• Reviews: Look for a reputable moving company with plenty of online reviews. Check the Better Business Bureau to see if anyone filed complaints against the company.

• Legitimate place of business: Check the company’s address on Google to make sure it has a legitimate business address. If it’s someone’s home or an empty lot, go with a different company.

• A clear breakdown of costs: Moving costs shouldn’t be a surprise. Your moving company should provide a fairly accurate free quote. This includes fees and a signed order of service, including dates for loading and delivery. If you want add-ons like unpacking services, make sure you request them upfront for the most accurate quote possible.

Declutter to simplify the move

The less stuff you need to move, the easier the move will be for everyone. In fact, downsizing can even help you save money if you hire movers because there’s less to move.

Try to involve the senior in the decluttering process as much as possible. Moving is already an emotional process, and losing beloved belongings can make things even harder.

If it’s appropriate for the situation, help the senior declutter before moving. Consider selling items in an estate sale, donating to charity, or storing bulky items in a storage unit.

Reduce stress during relocation

Seniors understandably don’t want to leave a home they’ve lived in for decades. Known as relocation stress syndrome, seniors can actually suffer negative health consequences when they relocate.

Everyone is different, but you can minimize the stress of relocating by:

• Making the new home resemble the old house as much as possible
• Allowing the senior to be part of the planning and decision-making process
• Respecting the senior’s treasured possessions
• Honoring the senior’s preferences
• Helping them meet new people and try new activities in the area

If a senior is moving into a new community, see if they can spend a few nights at their new home before they move there permanently. If they have an idea of what their new home is like, they’ll feel less stressed when it’s finally time to move.

Simplify with the right moving services for seniors

Moving a senior is a big step, but in many ways, it’s a new adventure for older adults in their golden years. Every senior is different, so it’s important to handle their relocation with care.

Cost is a concern for any move, but seniors are especially sensitive to moving expenses. Whether your senior is moving around the block or across the globe, make a budget before your move. Use moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator to get an instant, free estimate for moving services for seniors.