Moving House With Mobility Issues – A Supportive Guide
Every article written about moving house invariably discusses how stressful and difficult moving can be. This is often used to open the post, to make it clear that yes, moving is a pretty hefty organizational task, and no, you’re not “weird” for feeling it’s a little tired and uncomfortable to deal with.
If that’s the case, then you can only imagine how tiring this entire effort may be for someone with extra health concerns or limited capabilities to think through. While enlisting help can be essential even for those in perfect health, managing your affairs, packing your belongings, and dealing with the stresses of travel can mean so much more to certain individuals that it’s difficult to know where to begin.
Never fear, because in this post we hope to discuss moving with mobility issues, giving important advice through this lens. We hope that anyone with mobility issues who may be apprehensive about moving house and the mighty organizational task it seems to involve will gain some peace from these words.
Without further ado, let’s get started:
Choose Accessible Moving Companies
A good place to start is by selecting an accessible moving company. These companies will be able to field your requests and understand your condition, and in many cases, these provisions can be more helpful than you realize. For instance, many moving companies now offer packing services. This means that provided you have your belongings organized correctly for them to pack (they won’t root around your cupboards for days before the move), they’re happy to pack and collect those boxes properly.
This serves two purposes. First, it helps you avoid a laborious physical effort, and secondly, moving companies will often stipulate that in order to insure your belongings from point A to point B, they’d prefer to pack them personally and inventory the contents that are being insured. This is a win-win from both sides.
Use Helpful Boxes & Labels
It’s important to utilize the right boxes for storage, but these boxes should also be ergonomic and properly seized for the right implements. For example, using the correct wardrobe boxes for moving can be helpful here, as the boxes are perfectly designed to take clothes.
This means you could easily hang up your jackets or suits correctly, without causing damage, and without having to fold and perfectly portion your clothing within those storage boxes. With a few helpful customized labels you can easily apply with adhesive to each box, you won’t have to crawl to write each designation in big letters too. That way, when you come to unpack, you can ensure you do so in the right order.
Arrange Personal Transportation & Accommodations
You may have extra transportation and accommodation needs. Both are important, but the latter is essential. After all, if you have a long way to travel from home A to home B, then you need to split up that journey into increments, giving you space to rest in-between.
This might mean booking a few hotel rooms ahead of time, with mobility support such as accessible bathrooms so you always have an appropriate rest stop on the way. On top of that, you might decide to rent a car that can accommodate your mobility needs, or ask a friend or relative to drive with you. Of course, if you have a close family, then this may already be decided.
However, even if you have a comfortable people carrier you can relax in for the entire journey, try to make sure you don’t overly fill its internal compartments with luggage and stored items, instead leaving that up to the removalists to be responsible for. The last thing you need is to feel stuffed in a hot car with luggage on your lap constricting you. Moreover, make sure to take regular breaks so you can stretch your legs and feel a little less constrained in your vehicle. Those with mobility issues will know the benefit of slight movements to help them feel more comfortable. Essential investments also include travel pillows and earplugs for comfortable sleep on your way.
Craft A “Priorities” Box
If you have mobility issues, then it’s unlikely you can easily tear through all of your packed boxes to find the basic items you need. That’s why it’s always helpful to implement a “mobilities box,” which is a box entirely dedicated to items you’ll need most of all when moving in.
This might include a kettle so you can enjoy coffee when you arrive at the new place, toiletries, medications, and other conveniences that you may need right now. A priorities box can also include your essential identifying documents or any emergency contact numbers you may need to keep hold of. This way, you have access to your most essential provisions straight away, and won’t have to ask permission to use them in any context.
Implement Mobility Aids In The New House Before Moving
It’s good to implement mobility aids in your new household before moving there, depending on the extent of your condition. A little time to prepare the new space, with the help of a friend, relative or trusted service can be ideal.
This might include installing handrails so you can easily access the property, ramps for mobility aids or scooters, and even installing stairlifts or any other specialist equipment you have access to. In some cases, there may be a fund you’re entitled to access as part of disability benefits for rehousing and moving, and so it’s always good to check your entitlement before making those purchases yourself.
Plan Utilities Well In Advance
Mobility issues make it harder for someone to easily prepare for and manage life without utilities. While an able-bodied person may be able to make it a few days without essential provisions like electricity or water (they could visit the gym to shower, opt for takeout food, and use candles until the lights are switched on, which is uncomfortable but doable for a day or two), those with mobility limitations may not have that luxury.
As such, it’s important to plan those utilities in advance. Make sure that your contracts are switched over, that technicians visit the new abode to refit certain essential utilities, and that everything is functional before moving in. This way, you can avoid being left high and dry or incurring additional cost because of bad planning or timing on the part of your contract provider. Make sure your needs are understood, and don’t be afraid to demand the quality of service you expect from a provision you pay for.
Give Yourself A Wide Moving Timeline
Ultimately, everything laid out above takes time and effort to plan and bring into being. That’s why it’s so important to give yourself enough time for everything, making it clear to the home seller of your extra needs and how this may inform your moving-in schedule. Anyone with sense will be able to understand this and won’t penalize you for it.
This moving timeline may be a period of a month to six weeks or more depending on your neesd. And of course, always make sure to check in with your doctor or physical therapist to ensure they know the change you’re making, and so they can offer advice. In some cases, you may be able to gain a prescription for pain medication if the journey could prove to be difficult.
With this advice, you’re sure to move house capably with mobility issues, welcoming the wonderful new chapter of your life with the best possible planning.
