--- title: Senior Moving Checklist: Downsizing With Care url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/senior-moving-checklist/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Senior moving checklist # Senior moving checklist A senior move goes well when it is paced in rounds, with family help, a floor plan of the new home and the familiar things set up first. This checklist breaks the work into six steps, and O'Brien's offers senior moves, downsizing help and de-clutter assistance. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Moving later in life often means leaving a home of many years and deciding what to keep from a lifetime of belongings. The practical tasks are the same as any move, but the pace, the emotions and the care for fragile and sentimental items make it its own kind of job. Work at a gentle speed and share the load. ## Step 1: choose the plan and the people - Decide on the destination, whether a smaller home, an apartment or senior living. - Pick a family member or friend to coordinate, and name backups. - Gather the legal and medical papers: power of attorney, medication list, insurance cards. - Ask the new community for its move-in rules, elevator reservations and times. ## Step 2: measure the new space first Get a floor plan and measure rooms, doorways and closets. Decide which furniture fits before sorting everything else. Mark pieces on the plan so the crew places each one on moving day. Fewer pieces in the right places make the new home feel familiar quickly. ## Step 3: sort in rounds - Round one: items that obviously stay or go, such as duplicates and broken things. - Round two: furniture and large items against the floor plan. - Round three: papers, photos and keepsakes, with family present. - Set aside gifts for relatives, donations and anything to sell. - Consider storage for items undecided, such as [estate and downsizing storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/estate-and-downsizing-storage/). O'Brien's can help with de-clutter and home-staging work if the house is being sold, as described on the [de-clutter and staging page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/home-staging-and-declutter/). ## Step 4: arrange the services - Book a free in-home estimate with someone who can answer questions at a patient pace (see [senior moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/senior-moving/)). - Decide how much packing the crew handles (see [packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/)). - Plan medicines, glasses, hearing aids and mobility aids to travel with a family member. - Forward mail and update the address with Social Security, Medicare, banks and pharmacies. The [change of address checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/change-of-address-checklist/) lists them. ## Step 5: moving day and settling in - Have a helper at each address while the crew works. - Set up the bed, bathroom and kitchen first and place the familiar chair and photos. - Unpack medicines, glasses and the phone before the rest. - Keep clear walkways and remove loose rugs. - Introduce yourself to neighbors or the community staff on the first day. ## Support beyond the move The Eldercare Locator, run by the Administration for Community Living, connects older adults and their families with local services. Use it to find help with transportation, meals and in-home support after the move. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Administration for Community Living, Eldercare Locator](https://eldercare.acl.gov/home) - [USPS, Change of Address](https://moversguide.usps.com) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Senior moves and downsizing help](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/senior-moving/) - [Estate and downsizing storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/estate-and-downsizing-storage/) - [De-clutter and home-staging furniture help](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/home-staging-and-declutter/) - [The 8-week moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-checklist/) Moving guides ## Read next - [The best time of year to move in Northern Nevada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/best-time-to-move/) - [How far ahead to book movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-far-ahead-to-book-movers/) - [A moving timeline that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-timeline/) - [Change-of-address checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/change-of-address-checklist/) - [How to transfer utilities when you move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/transferring-utilities/) - [What goes in a first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) - [Move-out cleaning checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/move-out-cleaning-checklist/) - [Moving-day tips from a family mover](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-day-tips/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How long does a senior move take? It depends on the home and the sorting. Start early and sort in rounds so the work is not rushed. ### Can the crew pack for me? Yes. O'Brien's offers full packing, partial packing and box packing only, so you choose how much the crew handles. ### What if the new home cannot hold everything? Store the extras. Vault storage starts from $40 per month and can hold furniture while you decide. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) F Francie H. February 20, 2026 We were referred to O'Brien's Moving and Storage though a friend in Reno. We couldn't be more pleased with the Professionalism and Service. They were quick to set up Luke to come out and give us a quote and scheduled the actual move date right away. Luke was on time for our quote as were the movers on our moving day. All three of the gentlemen who moved us were professional and courteous from start to finish. From the initial phone call to the completion of our move, we felt like we were treated as family. We would definitely use them again and recommend O'Brien's Moving and Storage to our friends in the future. ### Owner's reply Francie, Thank you for this amazing review. The result you have expressed is exactly what we all strive to accomplish. I love that you walked away knowing you are now a part of the O'Brien's family, whenever you need us we are a phone call away! I will let the movers know about the kind words expressed about them, that will be very satisfying for all of them. We will look forward to any referrals you send our way, thank you for the opportunity! M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070