Complete Senior Moving Checklist: Nothing Forgotten
Senior moves are complex. Between healthcare transitions, downsizing decisions, property management, and emotional considerations, countless details can slip through the cracks.
This comprehensive checklist ensures you don’t forget critical elements during your move to a continuing care community, 55+ community, or independent living situation.
12+ Months Before Move
Decision & Planning
- ☐ Schedule family meeting to discuss relocation plans
- ☐ Research senior communities (visit 4-8 options)
- ☐ Speak with current residents at communities
- ☐ Consult financial advisor about timing and tax implications
- ☐ Review healthcare insurance (Medicare, supplemental) and coverage areas
- ☐ Discuss move with primary care physician
Documentation Review
- ☐ Locate estate plan, will, and power of attorney documents
- ☐ Review beneficiary designations on bank accounts, retirement funds
- ☐ Gather property deed and title documents
- ☐ Collect insurance policies (home, auto, umbrella)
- ☐ Review mortgage and any debt obligations
6-9 Months Before Move
Community Selection & Application
- ☐ Submit application to preferred community
- ☐ Provide financial documentation (bank statements, investment accounts)
- ☐ Get medical evaluation if required by community
- ☐ Review and understand community contracts/lease agreements
- ☐ Confirm application approval and estimated move-in date
Home Preparation
- ☐ Schedule home inspection and any needed repairs
- ☐ List home for sale with realtor or schedule estate sale
- ☐ Photograph valuable items for insurance purposes
- ☐ Get appraisals on fine art or antiques (if planning estate sale)
Moving Company Selection
- ☐ Interview 3+ professional moving companies experienced with senior moves
- ☐ Get written quotes and compare services
- ☐ Verify licensing, insurance, and references
- ☐ Confirm specialized services (unpacking, arrangement, fine art handling)
3-6 Months Before Move
Community Finalization
- ☐ Schedule final community tour and unit walkthrough
- ☐ Confirm unit selection (apartment, cottage, townhouse)
- ☐ Understand move-in procedures and community policies
- ☐ Arrange pre-move orientation call with relocation coordinator
- ☐ Get community address and contact information for utilities setup
Healthcare Transition
- ☐ Request medical records from Philadelphia-area physicians
- ☐ Get list of current medications with dosages
- ☐ Identify Lancaster-area physicians (contact information for new providers)
- ☐ Transfer prescriptions to Lancaster pharmacy
- ☐ Arrange medical equipment (oxygen, walkers, wheelchairs) if needed
- ☐ Schedule final health checkups before move
Home Sale/Estate Sale Management
- ☐ Monitor home sales progress with realtor
- ☐ Schedule estate sale company consultation (if doing estate sale)
- ☐ Provide estate sale company with item descriptions and valuations
- ☐ Begin downsizing non-moving items
8-12 Weeks Before Move
Estate Sale Execution
- ☐ Marketing period for estate sale items
- ☐ Schedule estate sale (typically 2-3 days)
- ☐ Arrange disposition of unsold items to donation centers
- ☐ Collect any financial proceeds from estate sale
Property Closeout
- ☐ Finalize home sale (or schedule closing)
- ☐ Schedule utilities disconnection at old residence
- ☐ Schedule final home walkthrough before closing
- ☐ Update address with relevant parties (see address change list below)
Moving Logistics
- ☐ Confirm moving company and exact moving dates
- ☐ Provide moving company with inventory list
- ☐ Arrange packing (professional or self-packing per movers’ recommendation)
- ☐ Take photos of valuable items for insurance documentation
- ☐ Get moving company insurance/coverage details in writing
4-8 Weeks Before Move
Final Item Curation
- ☐ Make final decisions on items moving to new residence
- ☐ Measure new apartment for furniture fit (share with movers)
- ☐ Create floor plan of new residence showing furniture placement
- ☐ Identify items for storage vs. moving (if applicable)
Utilities & Services Setup
- ☐ Arrange electricity setup at new residence (contact Lancaster utility company)
- ☐ Set up gas service at new residence (if applicable)
- ☐ Arrange water/sewer connection (usually landlord responsibility at CCRCs)
- ☐ Set up internet/phone service at new address
- ☐ Forward mail with Post Office (or have held at community)
Financial Transition
- ☐ Coordinate wire transfer of entry fee to community
- ☐ Set up automatic payment for monthly community fees
- ☐ Arrange property tax payment closure on old residence
- ☐ Update insurance companies with new address
- ☐ Update financial institutions with new mailing address
2-4 Weeks Before Move
Address Change
- ☐ USPS mail forwarding (address change form at post office)
- ☐ Update bank accounts and financial institutions
- ☐ Update insurance companies (auto, umbrella, etc.)
- ☐ Update Medicare/Medicaid with new address
- ☐ Update Social Security address online or via phone
- ☐ Update state ID/driver’s license address
- ☐ Notify all healthcare providers
- ☐ Update credit card companies
- ☐ Update subscription services and memberships
- ☐ Update employer pension benefits (if applicable)
- ☐ Notify attorney, CPA, and financial advisor
Healthcare Finalization
- ☐ Complete medical record transfers
- ☐ Fill prescriptions for move transition period
- ☐ Confirm appointments with new Lancaster-area physicians
- ☐ Obtain vision/hearing aid prescriptions/supplies for transition
- ☐ Schedule any necessary medical procedures before/after move
Pre-Move Walkthrough
- ☐ Walk through new apartment with community representative
- ☐ Verify electricity, plumbing, appliances function
- ☐ Photograph new apartment before furniture arrives
- ☐ Identify special setup needs (grab bars, accessibility, etc.)
- ☐ Confirm furniture placement with community maintenance staff
1 Week Before Move
Final Preparation
- ☐ Confirm moving company arrival date/time
- ☐ Prepare items for move (ensure well-protected, clearly labeled)
- ☐ Arrange parking for moving trucks at old residence
- ☐ Pack personal items (medications, jewelry, important documents)
- ☐ Confirm community is expecting you (notify relocation coordinator)
Final Financial
- ☐ Verify entry fee has been transferred to community
- ☐ Confirm first month’s fees have been paid or will be auto-deducted
- ☐ Set up utility auto-payments (internet, phone, etc.)
Move Day
- ☐ Do final walkthrough of old residence
- ☐ Lock up old residence (return keys to realtor/estate company)
- ☐ Travel to new community with personal items
- ☐ Greet moving team at new residence
- ☐ Direct furniture placement according to floor plan
- ☐ Verify all items arrived and account for special items
- ☐ Check that utilities are functioning (electricity, water, heat)
- ☐ Take photos of furniture placement for records
Week After Move
- ☐ Unpack personal items with moving company (if unpacking service arranged)
- ☐ Set up bed with preferred linens
- ☐ Organize kitchen with frequently-used items
- ☐ Hang artwork and arrange furniture to preference
- ☐ Update emergency contacts at community
- ☐ Arrange for repairs/touch-ups with community maintenance
- ☐ Attend community orientation and meet relocation coordinator
- ☐ Get introduced to healthcare staff and schedule initial wellness visit
- ☐ Meet neighbors and participate in community activities
30 Days After Move
Settlement & Final Tasks
- ☐ Verify all forwarding mail is arriving
- ☐ Confirm all utilities are functioning properly
- ☐ Resolve any moving damage claims
- ☐ Get final property tax/home sale documentation
- ☐ Finalize estate sale accounting (if applicable)
- ☐ Update will/estate plan with new address (if needed)
- ☐ Schedule initial healthcare appointments (complete physicals, etc.)
Beyond the Move
- ☐ Give yourself time to adjust (minimum 3 months)
- ☐ Participate actively in community programming
- ☐ Volunteer or join committees
- ☐ Explore new town/community
- ☐ Establish new healthcare relationships
- ☐ Build new friendships and social connections
Using This Checklist
Print this checklist and:
- Share with your spouse/partner
- Share with adult children who can help track items
- Share with your professional movers
- Share with your estate sale coordinator
- Share with your community relocation coordinator
Nothing should fall through the cracks. This checklist ensures you’ve covered all bases.
At LiteMovers, we reference this comprehensive checklist during every senior move we coordinate. Contact us and we’ll help you work through every item on this list.
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