Helping Seniors Move

seniors

Moving is a difficult procedure when you’re young, so imagine how challenging it is when you are a senior citizen and you can no longer move as agilely as you did in your youth.  Not to mention, as you get older you develop a set routine and it becomes harder to adapt to change.  If you are helping Seniors Move or elderly adult in their advanced years move in the Chicago area, check out some of these tips to make the transition an easier experience for everyone.

Explanation

It’s important to explain to your senior citizen what is happening.  It is imperative to tell them that they are moving several months ahead of time so they can become accustomed to the idea.  It may be a new apartment, or a new house, or an assisted living facility.  Whatever it is, it is most likely different from what their current living arrangement is.  Walk them through what living in their new place is going to be like.  Also explain to them what is going to happen on moving day.  Once the movers come in everything will be happening quickly.  This might be overwhelming for the elderly if they do not know what is going on.  Also, it gives them a semblance of control over this change.  They will be able bring up some ideas of specific needs that you can keep in mind.

Early Start

It’s always smart to start packing early.  It gives you more time to sort through your stuff and decide what you want to keep and what you want to throw away.  After living for so long, it is very likely that things pile up.  It will take a while for your senior to get through all the clutter they have collected throughout the years.  Starting early is especially vital if they are moving to a smaller location.  A lot is going to have to be thrown out, donated, or stored away.

Medication

If your senior citizen is not on some sort of medication then he or she is very healthy and I applaud his/her health.  Unfortunately, as the body ages the need for medication arises and it is more likely than not that your older adult has a cocktail of pills they need to take every day.  Keep the medication with you.  Pill bottles can be easily lost in mess that is moving and packing and you don’t want to be ripping open boxes if an emergency happens.  Also, check out the new area before the move.  Find out where the local drugstores and doctors are.  Once your elderly person has properly moved in, you can show them where to fill out their prescriptions and the way to the doctor’s office for appointments.

Who Are Your Movers?

Who your movers are can be very important.  Let them meet the workers and talk to them.  It will help any anxiety they have about strangers handling their things.  They can also help with reassuring your senior citizen by explain their procedures.  Most importantly, do not let your older adult do any heavy lifting.  They are at greater risk for serious injury, so avoid the possibilities of any broken bones or dislocated joints by letting the movers do their job.

It’ll Be Okay

Everyone needs reassurance sometimes and that goes for the elderly as well.  The flurry of activity on moving day will most likely overwhelm them.  Stay by their side and make sure they are okay.  Comfort them when you need to and talk them through what is going on.  Half the panic is usually a result of not knowing.

The Professionals Moving Specialists

Here at The Professionals Moving Specialists, customer service is our number one priority.  We understand the stress of moving and it is our job to make it as minimal as possible.  We will work with you and your senior citizen so that the experience will be as comfortable as possible.  We can help pack and unpack your items and we will coordinate every step of the process with you.  With multiple awards and great yelp reviews under our belt, you know we are the movers you want when you are moving in the Chicago area.

What's Your Moving Sign?

Hey!  Not sure if you've noticed, but we've recently relocated to bigger offices in Chicago, IL.  We're expanding our business, hiring more people, and adding more trucks to our fleet!  So in celebration of this, let's we've surfed the internet for some cool "we are moving signs"!  You never know when you might move and why use that stereotypical ones you find in hardware stores when you can use one so much more interesting and eye catching? 1.  You like cute?  I like cute and this is definitely cute.  I mean a giraffe driving a car with a cat and a bird riding in and on the trailer.  The kids will love it!

1

2. Check out this puppy.  If you're able to break away from his soulless stare, you'll see that he's being very informative about the move.

2

3. I quite like this one.  It has a simple, but eye-catching design and the desaturated color scheme is very complementary.  I'd use this if I was a more serious type of business, but still wanted to be a little unique.

3

4. This one is just fun.  I mean, men with mustaches carrying a piano.  There's a joke in there somewhere.  I'm just not sure where....

4

5. This is along the same line as the top one, just less colorful and a teensy bit less funny.  It's okay, though.  I've always liked the vintage art style.

5

6. What's a post without our favorite sarcastic, writing, daydreaming dog?  Just a normal boring post.  Snoopy makes everything better, including your move.

6

7. This moving sign is really cute.  It's not too out there, but it's different enough to catch your attention.

7

8. Alright, this is one of my favorite.  It doesn't outright state that you're moving, but the sentiment is there.  It's laced with the subtle cynicism that can only be found in today's society.

8

9. Little girl and Superman!  What's not to love?  (I like the girl.  She's smart.)

9

10. I swear, there is nothing else better in this world than a bad pun...except maybe fried oreos...maybe.  Nothing makes the day better than a groan inducing pun so horrible you can't help but laugh.

10

11. Are you a pessimist?  Then this is the sign for you!  I mean just look at it!  It's all looping swirls and elegant calligraphy and then BAM! Depressing message. (however true it may be.)

11

12.  This one is so sweet....literally.  Why not soften the blow of stressful moving by a picture of a cavity inducing gingerbread house?  It's perfect for bakeries and the sorts.

12

13. This one is just funny, like "I have no idea what is going on" kind of funny.  But hey, they're version of moving looks rather convenient even if it is scientifically impossible.

13

14.  Make your own sign!  It's a nice little personal touch and it means that no one else will have the same sign as you.  Have a huge storefront window?  Grab some window paint and have a little fun!

Free Things To Do In Chicago

CHICAGOSUMMER

The sun is out, the air is warm, and there’s nothing to do.  That’s a lie.  The best part about summer is the abundance of activities available for you, especially the ones that are free.  Chicago, like all the great cities, has her list of summer fun so check them out when you have time.  Who needs TV and air conditioning when you can be having a great time with your family and friends and creating new memories?  Not to mention, all of it is free!  What are you waiting for?

Lincoln Park Conservatory

Part of the Chicago Park District, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is the place to go for all flora lovers.  Inside, the conservatory is split into four houses: the Palm house, Fern House, Orchid House, and Show House.  Each has a different display, some of exotic tropical plants and others of local flora found around the area.  Check out the dates and maybe you’ll even be able to catch one of the many flower shows that are held in the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Jane Addams Hull House Museum

If history is your thing, the Hull House is a definite place to visit.  Step into the past and experience Jane Addams’ dream of helping the less fortunate.  Go through the house and check out the exhibits.  In Jane Addams’ room, you can find her personal history through pictures and diary entries.  In the gallery, you can see photographs of the house and the surrounding area when it was up and running.  For more information, check out the website:

Dearborn Observatory

For all the stargazers, Dearborn Observatory is opened to the public from 10PM-11PM on Fridays.  However, if you want to guarantee a chance to peer into the telescope and admire the stars, you can reserve a group tour for an hour earlier.  Located on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University, it’s a great place for a twilight stroll before a chance to see the stars.

Dance All Summer

For those more interested in physical activities check out Dance Chicago and the Chicago Summer Dance.  Get free dance lessons at the Park.  Afterwards, join the huge dance party as everyone rocks out to the theme of the night.  Whether it’s swing night or disco night, grab your partner or grab some friends and dance the night away for free.

International Museum of Surgical Science

For something out of the box, check out the International Museum of Surgical Science.  Explore and learn about the history of surgery and be amazed and the latest innovations and discoveries.  DNA science, plastic surgery,  human anatomy; if these are the things that perk your interest, definitely check out IMSS.

The Illinois Movers' and Warehousemen's Association

IMAWA

We, The Professionals Moving Specialists, are fully licensed and certified.  While this may sound impressive, they are only words of a page.  So what exactly do these words in relations to us as a company and you as a consumer?

Basically being licensed and certified is a guarantee of our honesty and ability.  In order to get the credentials, the company has to go through an approved and recognized association.  Here at The Professionals, we are associated with the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association.

The IMAWA was founded in 1906.  For over a hundred years, they have been servicing the Illinois area and helping moving companies.  Not only do they provide education, but they serve as a liaison to the government as well.  They help both large and small businesses, educating them when needed and aiding them with any problems to ensure only the best work in the Illinois area.

The main purpose of IMAWA is to help the customers.  They provide these services for the company not only to help them be the best they can be, but also to guarantee that the consumers are getting the help they paid for.  Along with brochures and various media references on how to choose the right mover, they also have consultations if needed.

The association works very closely with the government.  Some examples are the Illinois Department of Agriculture which deals with warehousing, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which is involved with interstate moving, and the Illinois Commerce Commission which regulates moving in general.

Having existed for so long, the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association did not get its current name until 1953.  Instead, they cycled through various other names before finally deciding that this was the one that best fit their purposes.  Currently, 80% of all licensed movers in Illinois are part of IMAWA.  About 44% of all these companies have been with the association for twenty-five years or more.

The best way to avoid getting swindled by a fraudulent moving company is to make sure they are properly licensed.  If the information isn’t on their website, then contact them and ask them to provide the information.  It may seem tedious, but the information is there for you, the consumer.  Legitimate companies want you to know that they can be trusted.  Fraud companies rely on the fact you might not want to bother.

The Professionals Moving Specialist are proud to say that we are licensed by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association.  Look us up before you hire us and see some of the reviews that were given about us.  We have nothing to hide.

How To Avoid Moving Scams

stopmovingscam

Scams are everywhere.  Internet scams, phone scams, bank scams, get rich quick scams, etc.  With today’s technology, it is getting harder and harder to tell what situation is a scam and what isn’t.  This goes for moving as well.

Nowadays, everything is searched for online.  Because of this impersonal form of communication, it gets harder and harder to tell if the business is as real and upfront as it claims to be.  Here are a number of waysand tips How To Avoid Moving Scams in Chicago, IL

Inspections

After giving you a quote online or on the phone, a real, licensed business will always have an in home consultation.  Why?  Because you can say you have a certain amount of stuff, but it translates differently once it’s all packed.  Experts are able to see this and calculate accordingly.  They may ask questions about your furniture and what may need to be disassembled and reassembled.  The estimate they end up giving you will be as close as possible to what they charge you.

Scam movers, on the other hand, will not give an in-home consultation.  Instead, they will quote a price over the phone or online and low-ball it.  Though everyone loves to save money, you would do well to be a bit cynical.  If it’s too good to be true, it almost always is.

Payments

Legitimate moving companies will ask for payment after the move.  That way, you are safe in your knowledge that nothing is broken or lost.  And if something is, the moving company has insurance and paperwork for you to fill out.

On the other hand, rogue movers will do one of two things.  They will demand payment upfront.  Once you hand over the money, they no longer have to worry about treating your belongings well.  If anything breaks, you can’t take it out of the money you paid them or withhold paying.  Or they will give you an incredibly low estimate and raise it substantially once your belongings are on the truck.  They will force you pay the amount as they hold you items hostage.

Paperwork

As a legitimate business, there will always be paperwork to fill out.  There are federal regulations when it comes to moving and all the rules have to be abided by.  You should always be given a “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet if you are moving out of state.  For instate, there are various insurance forms and contracts.

If you mover has little to no paperwork for you to go through, they are doing it wrong.

Location

Movers usually have a place where their offices are located.  After all, the trucks have to gather somewhere and most companies offer storage services and packing supplies as well.  There is usually an address on the website you can go to.

If there is no address, we weary that the movers are not legitimately licensed.  If there is, you might want to visit.  The state of the office can tell you a lot.  Or maybe the office doesn’t even exist and the address is a local lake!

Company Name

What else is there to look for?  The company name of course.  When your call is answered, the first thing out after “hello” should be the company’s name.  If it’s not and something generic like “moving company” is used instead, there is a high chance that the business is not legal.  Also, look at the trucks.  Legitimate moving companies all have their company name and logo on the side of the truck.  It is an indication that it is family owned and part of a fleet of trucks meant specifically for moving.

The Professionals Moving Specialists

Now that you know all the signs of an illegal moving company, See Chicago Moving Company!  The Professionals Moving Specialist is based in Chicago, IL .  Our moving Company is a legitimate business, properly licensed, bonded, and insured.  If you have any questions or worries about moving, call us and ask!  Our aim is to provide the best service for you during the stressful time of your move.