Moving and the Elderly Part 2: Lifting Heavy Items

Ayla PR Representative with Moving Made Smooth, Inc. 

Moving and the Elderly Part 2: Lifting Heavy Items
Once everyone has agreed that your senior family member is moving, it is important to make decisions about how you are going to move their belongings. Below are some tips if you are a die-hard DIY aficionado or if you just want to have their house staged for the movers. They may even want to do some of the work themselves, but be sure to check with their doctor to see if they can take the strain. No one wants to have their back thrown out!

Giving them the help they need to prepare for move day
​An elderly family member may need a significant amount of help to make the transition to a new home. Be sure to plan to take some time off to help them. They may need help to pack up all of their belongings, as some seniors have restrictions on the amount of weight they should carry. In this case, let them pack small items and reserve the larger, heavy items for yourself.

Many people like to stage their house prior to move day. This means taking all of the items from the upper and basement floors of the house and moving them to the main floor or into a single room. This is usually done to save on the cost of movers, as this cuts down the time that they will spend maneuvering around in staircases or corners and walking up and down stairs. Some people just move all the boxes and leave the large furniture where it is and others move everything. This is up to you. You can stage the home a little or a lot and anything helps.

Also consider how heavy you are packing the boxes. If your elderly family member will be lifting the box you are packing later, you may want to consider filling it less. The excess space can be filled in with crushed packing paper to prevent shifting. You can also moderate the weight by filling the box with fewer heavy items and bigger lighter objects. For example, pack a heavy antique table lamp with some big, light pillows.

How to lift items so you won't hurt yourself

• Check to see if the item is too heavy by sliding it with your foot or by gently lifting a corner of the object. If it is, you may need a helper or furniture dolly.
• Be sure the path is clear of furniture, boxes, pets, children, etc. No one wants to trip while carrying something heavy.
• Start with your feet shoulder width apart and bend at the knees, not your back. If you're lifting with a partner lift at the same time. Keep the item close to your body this also helps prevent injury.
• You should be squatting with one foot at an angle to the other and your head should always be facing straight forward to prevent straining yourself.
• As you lift, straighten your legs. Do not use your back to lift.
• As you maneuver the object, keep your knees slightly bent.
• If moving with a partner, be sure to walk at the pace of the person walking backwards. You do not want to cause them to trip and injure themselves.
• Set the object down gradually using a reverse of the above procedure. Bend at the knees, set the object down, and straighten your knees. Take your time!
  
• Remember to communicate with your partner! If you feel like your going to drop the item. Tell your partner and set it down, reposition your hands, and lift it again.