Moving Military

For many Canadian military families, spring is the time of year you are anticipating a move to a new posting and military base. If you’ve never been through this process before, here is what you can expect:

1. The military will arrange a packing and moving company for you. A few days before your move, people will arrive and pack and box all the belongings you plan to move on the truck to your new destination. Although the lion share of the work is being done for you, purging items you really don’t use and compiling your belongings into practical groupings (for example by room) will make things easier for you once you arrive.


2.Be sure to keep important papers, jewellery, plants and items you will need during the move separately and bring them with you.


3.Not only will the packing company pack all of your belongings, but a company will unpack fragile items for you to ensure nothing has been broken in the transition.


4.Be very mindful before and after move of damage and marks that may already exist on your furniture, instruments or cabinets and take a thorough look at items after moved. If there is any damage, it will be repaired or replaced.


Wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable move.


By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown

Moving Again's Top Online Moving Tips

With so many resources, tips and articles online, here are some of Moving Again's favourites. Enjoy!

How to Pack a Room:
http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Moving-How-to-Pack-a-Room.12079.html

Moving Out on Your Own - Prepare Financially. Are You Ready to Move into Your First Home or Apartment?

http://moving.about.com/od/preparingforyourmove/a/first_home.htm

Moving Your Beloved Plants:
http://moving.about.com/od/movingityourself/a/moving_plants.htm

Checklists for moving:

http://www.mysmartmovers.ca/Moving_Tips.html

Moving Seniors ~ Part Two

Last week we talked about the unique challenges of moving seniors. However, what happens when the senior selling or moving needs more assistance to live day to day.

Where do they go then?

Firstly, it is important to determine what assistance they need and to understand what options exist for them. Here are some types of providers that can assist you or your loved one when moving is required. This information was found in The Care Guide.

Independent/Supportive Living: Apartment Style accommodations exist with services like meals, home making, 24 hour staff and social activities. Sometimes they are rentals, life leases or owned.

Retirement Residences: Retirement Homes are supportive residential settings for people who can no longer manage living with independence. They offer meals, activities, 24 hour staffing, laundry, housekeeping services and various levels of personal care. Rates are not subsidized.

Assisted Living: This refers to providers that assist people who are frail, require supervision and hands-on personal assistance with daily activities like dressing or bathing. Often this care is provided in a designated section of the residence.

Long-Term Care Homes: Known as nursing homes, these are residences for people who can no longer live independently and require 24 hour-nursing services. Eligibility for placement is based on needs and is arranged by Community Care Access Centres.

For detailed information about these different types of living arrangements (in your area of Ontario) and even more services for seniors visit: www.thecareguide.com.

Some other helpful links are:

http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/en/seniorsguide/docs/seniors_guide_final_english_web.pdf

There are 14 Community Care Access Centres throughout Ontario in alignment with the Province’s newly established Local Health Integration Networks. To contact them or find more information online, including the local branch offices, visit: www.ccac-ont.ca

www.211ontario.ca

www.mymotherscaregiver.com

By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown

Moving Seniors ~Part One

Moving is difficult for anyone, but things become even more complex when the person moving is a senior. Often they are leaving a home they’ve lived in for decades and are in a situation where there may be healthcare concerns. They need to change their lifestyle.

There are so many questions that must be asked:

•Should they buy a smaller home or rent?

If there are health concerns it might not be wise to tie up your savings with the investment of a home. However, if you are still healthy and active, you may be unhappy in a boxy little rental with no garden or garage to putter in.

•Seniors are vulnerable to scams. Many of them haven’t moved in years and are unfamiliar with the costs or expectations of a move. How do they protect themselves?

When selling their home, a senior should use a licensed and reputable real estate agent. A real estate agent knows the legal issues involved in buying and selling a home. They can refer you to trusted lawyers and other services needed for moving. A good realtor will protect you. Unless it is a family member or completely trusted life-long friend, I don’t recommend letting anyone talk you into trying to save some money by selling privately.

Also, when choosing a moving company, find a reputable moving company with good references and lots of experience. Ask lots of questions. You may want to involve a family member or trusted friend to help you with this.

Finally, never give anyone your private banking information like pin numbers over the phone. (Never give anyone your pin number). It is probably a good idea to bring a trusted friend or relative with you to the bank, if you are unsure of yourself during the financial aspects of the transaction.

More next week on Moving Seniors- By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown