A senior relocation requires special care and thorough planning in order to make the transition to a new home stress-free and pleasant. Whether it’s a relocation to a senior-friendly apartment or a care home – with the right support and a structured approach, this stage of life can be managed in a relaxed manner. Our checklist will help you to think of all the important details and organize the relocation smoothly.

Table of contents

Author

Ahmad Daued

Category
Updated

6. February 2025

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3 months before the relocation

  • Inform family and friends:
    Discuss the relocation with family or friends in good time to get support.
  • Viewing appointment by Umzugsservice Zürich GmbH:
    To enable Umzugsservice Zürich GmbH to provide you with a professional estimate of all the work involved, we are happy to offer our valued customers a free and non-binding viewing appointment so that you can benefit from a serious and accurate quote.
  • Check the new living situation:
    Visit the new home to make sure it meets specific requirements (accessibility, safety, emergency call systems).
  • Clarify whether you have a care degree:
    If you have a care degree, check whether the relocation can be subsidized by the care insurance fund.
  • If moving to a nursing home:
    Clarify how much space and capacity is available in the nursing home.
  • Start clearing out:
    Go through your belongings and decide what you want to take with you, give away, donate or dispose of.
  • Terminate rental agreement:
    Terminate the existing rental agreement in compliance with the notice period.

2 months before the relocation

  • Notify change of address:
    Notify public offices, banks, insurance companies, doctors, pharmacies and the postal service of your new address. Also submit a forwarding order to the post office.
  • Check insurance policies:
    Check your insurance policies and adjust them if necessary (e.g. household contents insurance).
  • Organize clearing out:
    If necessary, arrange for clearing out or bulky waste collection.
  • Plan household or apartment liquidation:
    If necessary, plan the liquidation of the old apartment.
  • Request moving helpers:
    If you are carrying out the relocation yourself, ask family, friends or professional moving helpers for support and hire a van.
  • Dismantle bulky furniture/kitchen:
    Plan in advance which furniture needs to be dismantled.
  • Set up a no-stopping zone:
    If necessary, set up a no-stopping zone for the relocation and observe the deadlines.
  • Check heavy-duty transportation or external lift:
    If large or heavy furniture needs to be transported, check whether an external lift or heavy-duty transport is required.
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High-quality moving company for professional and speedy moving in Zurich, Switzerland & Europe. Including cleaning, clearing, disposal and storage.

1 month before the relocation

  • Organize care services:
    If necessary, plan care workers or domestic help for the new home.
  • Ensure medical care:
    Look for new doctors, pharmacies and hospitals in the new area at an early stage.
  • Start packing:
    Start by packing items that are rarely needed, e.g. decorations, books or seasonal clothing.
  • Plan the transportation of furniture:
    Decide which furniture you want to take with you, sell or donate.
  • Secure valuables:
    Make sure that valuable and sentimental items are securely packed and transported separately.
  • Use up stocks and perishable food:
    Use this time to use up perishable food.

2 weeks before the relocation

  • Label the boxes:
    Clearly label all packed boxes with the room they are to go to in their new home.
  • Get moving boxes and tools:
    Get sturdy moving boxes, furniture rollers and other tools for the relocation.
  • Have important documents ready:
    Collect all important documents (e.g. rental agreement, medical reports, insurance documents) in a safe place.
  • Prepare the new apartment:
    Create a furniture layout plan for the new apartment and prepare it (cover the floor with foil, clean the rooms).

1 week before the relocation

  • Make the final preparations:
    Pack the remaining items you still need before moving day.
  • Keep medication and necessities to hand:
    Pack all necessary medications and other essentials separately for moving day.
  • Read the meters:
    Plan to read the meters for electricity, water and gas on the day you move out.
  • Organize the handover of keys:
    Talk to the landlord about handing over the keys to the old apartment.
  • Empty the letterbox:
    Make sure that the letterbox has been emptied.
  • Defrost the fridge and freezer:
    Start defrosting your refrigerators in good time.

Moving day

  • Checklist for moving day:
    • Check that all boxes and furniture are well packed.
    • Read meter readings for electricity, water and gas.
    • Ensure that all important documents and valuables are with you.
    • Organize the handover of the keys to the old apartment.
    • If necessary, clear out the cellar and attic.
    • Don’t forget tools for special furniture.
  • Carry important items with you:
    Keep personal items such as ID cards, glasses, documents and keys to hand.
  • Provide catering for moving helpers:
    Provide sufficient food and drink for the helpers.

After the relocation

  • Arrival at the new home:
    • Check that all the furniture and boxes are in the right place.
    • Make sure that important items such as medication and clothing are immediately available.
  • Aftercare:
    Check all moved items for damage and report this to the moving company if necessary.
  • Age-appropriate furnishings:
    Furnish your home in an age-appropriate way and install furniture.
  • Dispose of waste:
    Dispose of any waste and packaging material.
  • Keep receipts and invoices:
    Keep all receipts and invoices so that you can deduct them from tax if necessary.
  • Change your registration address:
    Register the new address with the competent authority.
  • Put your name on the doorbell sign:
    Put your name on the doorbell and letterbox.
  • Inform family and friends:
    Let family, friends and acquaintances know your new address.