Search

Ingenious Storage Alternatives for Your Mud Room

Helping A Disabled Friend Or Relative Move Into A New Home: 10 Ways You Can Make It Easier, Safer, And More Successful

5 March 2018

Cassandra Little

While packing up everything you own and moving it across town or further is never easy for anyone, it could be even more challenging for someone with a disability. Make this challenge easier, safer, and more successful for a disabled person you care about by being there with them, from the first box packed to the last unpacked.

1. Help Them Plan The Packing And Moving

Nearly everyone finds planning a move exhausting and overwhelming, but it may be particularly nerve-racking for someone who maneuvers through life in their own special way. For example, navigating an apartment complex via wheelchair takes some getting used to, so up and moving to another location might be a little scary. Likewise, if your friend doesn't hear or see the way everyone else does, having strangers in the house and an odd assortment of boxes lying around could prove difficult. For these and other reasons, it's important that your friend be reassured by having a solid plan in place.

You could make a list of needed items and a chronology of upcoming events so that your friend is fully prepared. You might also keep some boxes or other supplies in your trunk as they're purchased, until moving day arrives.

2. Supervise A Yard Sale Or Donation If Your Friend Needs To Downsize

If your friend is like a lot of other people, they've collected more "stuff" than they need while living in their current home. Millions of real-life hoarders mimic those on the popular show, stashing all kinds of things in their homes they don't need or use, and come moving time, are left with a major task on their hands. Ask politely if your friend would like help with a yard sale or donating extra belongings to a local charity. Although they may be reluctant to part with anything at first, once they realize the sheer volume of things they have to transfer, they might change their mind. Additionally, a yard sale could bring in a few extra dollars to help with the move.

3. Talk To The Moving Company Directly

The moving company should be made aware of your friend's disability, both to understand how to work with the disability and to get your friend a potential discount on the final bill. Tell the movers how your friend is affected by their disability, if they're going to be there during the move, and any other relevant information. Be sure and mention any special equipment your friend might have, and if you're able, disassemble it to its smallest form right before the movers arrive and see that it's reassembled in the new place in time for needed use.

4. Ask For Other Volunteer Help, Too

Even with a full crew of professional movers, this is no small task; therefore, you may want to call on a few friends of your own to lend a hand. Most especially after everything has been moved out of the old house or apartment, a good cleaning may be in order if a deposit is at stake. If there are stairs in either the former or future home, that's going to make the move more complicated and likely leave you with an aching back. A few other people could help you get all the boxes in one central location, organize furniture so it's easier to remove or help drive back and forth between dwellings, if needed. No matter what, extra hands showing up for a move is always a positive show of support.

5. Keep Basic Necessities In A Handy Box Or Bag

Everyone needs a separate bag full of their personal necessities kept aside as they move to ensure that the most important items don't get swallowed up in boxes, where they might not be found for days. Ask your friend if they've made such arrangements and clearly marked the bag or box or kept it somewhere handy.

6. Tell The Movers About Furniture Arrangements In The New Place

Even before they pack the truck up with your friend's furniture, let the movers know how it's suppose to be set up in the new house if special arrangements are in order. That way, they'll know which pieces to place towards the back of the moving truck and which ones need to be at the front.

7. Check The New Home For Potential Hazards

Most especially if your friend or relative with a disability has difficulty walking around, take a few laps in the new place yourself before they enter. Look for cords, carpets, and other odd things that may pose as hazards.

8. See That All Utilities Are On And Functional

While you're looking for potential dangers, flick all the lights on and off, test all the faucets, and flush the toilet, too. While you may be under the impression that everything is in order, because your friend may face challenges later if something isn't working, it's a good idea to pull a complete function test on everything in the new home.

9. Give Your Friend A Check-Up Call In A Few Days

Hopefully, the move goes smoothly and your friend settles into the new place comfortably, but why just take that for granted? Give them a call in a couple days or so, to make sure they've got everything under control and have everything they need to turn the new apartment or house into a wonderfully happy and completely safe home.

10. Leave A Positive Review Online For The Helpful Movers

If you're really satisfied with the service provided by the moving company you work with, say so online. This will not only help anyone else looking to move locally, but also other people with disabilities. Since they're not a major force in consumer markets, people with disabilities may not be represented well when it comes to online reviews, but they need that information just as much as anyone else. The movers, too, will appreciate the good word you put in for them, for a job well done.

For additional moving tips, contact a company like Kaster Moving.

Share