Moving Older Parents: Get All Your Duct Tape In A Row:Tips On Using Boxes To Move Elderly Parents

Tips About Boxes When Moving Mom And Dad 

I didn't start out being an expert on the topic of moving seniors, but I confess, I have become the go to person on this topic.  Not only do I have personal experience on the matter of moving, but  as editor of I Antique Online.com, I manage many group forums on this topic.

Helping Older Adults Downsize: Tips On Moving

If you follow my blogs (or rambles) you have probably already read some of my tales on older adults downsizing. Today I want to discuss BOXES.
When you get ready for the big day (it will come)...transitioning to a smaller apartment or to a Assisted Living facility or other type of residence, you almost always are going to be
taking belongings in both suitcases and boxes.

If you follow my blogs you know I adore     plastic boxes for moves in an assortment of sizes to use both for the move and to keep later for additional storage under a bed, in a closet or in a storage space. Another favorite type of box of mine are FREE empty cardboard boxes from a nearby Liquor store. These boxes which held bottles are very sturdy and small enough to be easy to handle. These can get dumped later!

Cardboard Liquor Boxes

Liquor boxes usually come with cardboard partitions inside. You want to have some with the partitions and some boxes without. The boxes with compartments are great for packing glassware, vases and other items that need a "cushion". The empty boxes work great for books, cleaning supplies and other odds and ends.

Tips On Marking And Securing Boxes When Moving

Now on the subject of TAPE and MARKING BOXES Do not be a fool, use good packing tape to fortify the bottoms of boxes and to seal when the boxes are packed. But my most important tip is to mark the box both on the top of the box and on one or more sides. Since
most movers stack boxes, it is so much easier to figure out what is inside when you can read your labels on one or more sides of the box!


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Packing Up Elderly Parents

Lessons Learned When Packing Up Aging Parents For a Move 

I started writing about caring for aging parents a few years ago when I was smack in the middle of these issues myself.  As the editor of I Antique Online.com, I receive many emails from adult children who want help in transitioning mom and or dad to a smaller apartment or Assisted will Living facility.

Letting Go Of Stuff

First let me begin by telling you that I made a lot of mistakes when it was my turn to move dad from Florida to New England (I'm smarter now).  Dad had a great deal of trouble letting go of his STUFF and insisted on bringing a lot of his "Asian inspired collectibles"  (all reproductions I found out) and decor with him.

What Would It Cost To Bring Along The Knick Knacks ?

Truthfully, I had no idea if any of the tchotchkes he wanted to bring to his new apartment had any significant monetary value. I knew he liked his Mud Men figurines and his giant ceramic tiger which sits on the floor and scares the daylights out of me, but how much of it did he need to bring?   And what would it cost to bring these knick knacks and living room decor with him?

Consulting With Movers, Shipping Services Etc.

After consulting with movers, senior care managers, shipping services etc., I decided  that since we were NOT bringing furniture and only smalls, we would use the local shipping service and  have his aide help with the packing. She would then bring the boxes to the neighborhood shipping service.

Sounds good right? Nope...it was a disaster. I assumed that my dad's aide would be able to pack up ceramic frogs,  Chinese bowls (inexpensive), figurines etc. and bring these boxes to the Post office. We had privately agreed that she was to pick out his favorite objects (with his say) and send only a few boxes (we were downsizing) to his new apartment.

Sneaking In Objects Into Boxes

She tried to be helpful,  but my father kept sneaking other objects into the boxes when she wasn't looking. Let me just say that my dad now has four staplers, an assortment of radio parts, broken tools, rocks, old telephones etc. in his new place.

Invest in Bubble Wrap And Sturdy Boxes 

As far as the packing is concerned, either she didn't know how to pack or my dad took over. Breakables were not carefully wrapped in bubble wrap. Boxes were  too loosely packed. Instead of receiving 6 well packed boxes, I received 12 flimsy boxes, poorly packed.  Half of the items came  broken (a blessing in disguise).

Moral of the story: Don't pack in front of a parent and use a professional packer if you can't do it yourself.  Consider using the U.S. Post Office.

For more information visit; http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/estatemavenshelpwithestateliquidation


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists