Month: May 2021

If you’re planning to move in summer or at a time of year when outdoor temperatures can reach extreme highs, then you need to be ready. Knowing how to protect yourself from heat illness, when to get help if it’s needed, and the signs of distress related to heat can help you stay healthy during your upcoming relocation.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Make it a point to stay hydrated throughout the packing and moving process. Keep a lot of water and a selection of sports-type drinks designed to hydrate the body on hand. Force yourself to take regular sips of water. Keep your refrigerator stocked with these beverages, and if you’re working out in a garage, then pack a cooler complete with ice and your favorite drinks. Supply water to friends and family and others who help you.

Know the Weather Forecast

Pay attention to the weather forecast, especially if the predictions show dangerously high temperatures. This may mean that you’ll need to plan to pack extra on the days when it’s cooler and avoid packing on days when it’s very hot. If forecasters predict dangerously high temperatures for your moving day, plan to get as much done in the early morning and the evening when the temperatures are cooler.

Take Breaks

Take frequent breaks while you’re packing, unpacking, loading the truck, or exerting yourself. If you tend to forget to take breaks, set the alarm on your mobile device to remind you to stop, drink, sit down and rest. Have a place that’s cool where you can go for breaks, whether that’s near an air conditioning unit or just in a shady spot.

Pack When it Cools Off

If you’re packing your belongings yourself, plan to do as much packing as possible in the early mornings and the evenings, when it’s cool enough to move comfortably. Avoid packing in the heat of the day, especially if you’re working in a hot spot like your garage or attic.

Get Help When It’s Needed

The best way to protect yourself from getting a heat-related illness is to get help from professionals. Hire a professional moving company to do your packing, unpacking, and moving for you. Professional movers know how to get the work done safely, and movers are used to working in long, hot, challenging conditions. Hiring movers can help you avoid a serious illness or over-exertion that could endanger your health and put a serious wrench in your upcoming relocation.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Know the signs of a heat-related illness. If you or any others display symptoms of heat illness, contact emergency services as soon as possible to get help.

• Nausea
• Confusion
• Cold, clammy skin or hot, dry skin
• Tiredness or weakness
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Dizziness
• Heavy sweating

Protect You and Your Loved Ones: Hire a Moving Company to Do the Work.

You can worry less about staying safe when moving in the summer by hiring a moving company. Work with a full-service moving company that can do the packing and heavy lifting for you. It’ll make it easier for you to stay cool, comfortable, and safe during your upcoming relocation. Contact us today to get a quote.

Hundreds of thousands of seniors relocate across state lines every year and moving away from familiar people and places creates specific challenges. Although moving affects everyone from school-aged children to adults relocating for work, our valued elders experience unique challenges.

Many discover that large family homes become underused after children grow up and move out. Upkeep, maintenance, and landscaping seem more like expenses and chores than lifestyle assets. Whatever the reason Baby Boomers and, soon, Gen Xers decide to move, these are challenges and solutions worth considering.

1. Recognize the Telltale Signs You Need to Downsize

It’s sometimes difficult to let go of homes that resonate with heartfelt memories. It seems like each room reminds you of a significant life event. But it’s also essential to recognize the importance of quality of life. If you find yourself struggling with the following, downsizing may be the best solution.

• Underused Space: Empty-nesters discover they simply don’t use rooms that were designed for a larger family. While they may not seem overly burdensome to clean and maintain, you pay taxes and associated costs. That impacts your financial position during retirement.
• Exhaustion: When yard work leaves you tired and takes multiple days to complete, you may have too much land. Working yourself to exhaustion detracts from leisure time.
• Finances: Big houses or those in expensive areas rank among the primary reasons older Americans move to quiet and less expensive areas.

Downsizing tends to resolve many of the challenges seniors experience as they transition into retirement. People with substantial equity or who own their home outright can improve their financial situation.

2. Preparing Your New Home for Physical Limitations

Moving to a new community involves learning the lay of the land, accessing health care, and other necessities. Many retirees find local resources are in place to offer information and recommendations. But the physical space can present challenges that need to be taken care of in advance. These rank among the more prevalent issues.

• Stairways: Some seniors require ramps and lifts to negotiate stairs and are likely to make upgrades to meet this challenge. But people just beginning to struggle physically would be well-served to make changes before moving.
• Thresholds: Our bodies lose muscle mass as we age, and seemingly small things like thresholds become problematic. It’s reasonable to make alterations when using a walker, wheelchair, or just feel like your legs get tired.

The key takeaway is that age slows our bodies down. Taking proactive measures before moving in helps sidestep unnecessary challenges.

3. How To Manage Relocation Stress

Even when someone eagerly anticipates a move, relation stress can creep up on them. Acclimating to a new environment leaves gaps in people’s daily routines and a loss of familiarity. Having little to occupy your days and too much time to think about it can be a recipe for depression. The good news is that you can help manage stress and anxiety by immersing yourself in the community. Joining local organizations with like-minded people helps establish new bonds. Taking up hobbies and attending social events can rekindle a sense of place.

It may take a little time to build a new life after moving. However, that new chapter in your life can be a rewarding adventure.

Moving Help

Are you downsizing and starting a new chapter? Contact us today for a free quote. We can help with your packing and relocation to make your downsizing move stress-free.