Moving is a challenge for everyone, but for people with mobility impairments, health limitations, or in old age, additional and specific hurdles often arise. This is not just about transporting belongings, but about creating an environment that ensures safety, comfort, and independence in the new home. Barrier-free planning and sensitive implementation are crucial to making this move smooth and dignified.
Sensitive Aspects of Moving in Old Age or with Health Limitations
When moving with special needs, the individual requirements of the affected person are paramount.
- Emotional burden: For elderly people or those with chronic illnesses, a move often means saying goodbye to a long-familiar environment that offered security and routine. This can be emotionally very stressful. Tip: Plan enough time for farewells and processing the change. Encourage conversations about memories and take fears seriously.
- Physical limitations: Lifting, carrying, and packing can be physically overwhelming or simply impossible. Tip: Absolutely leave the physical work to professionals. A comprehensive packing and unpacking service is invaluable here.
- Orientation and routine: A new environment can lead to orientation problems in case of cognitive impairments or declining vision/hearing. Tip: Try to place familiar items and furniture in the new apartment similarly to create a sense of continuity. Maintain usual routines (meal times, sleep times) as much as possible.
- Medical care: Changing doctors, therapists, or care services must be organized early. Tip: Clarify the new medical care in advance and ensure that all documents (medication plans, findings) are readily available.
Barrier-Free Planning and Specific Adaptations in the New Apartment
Moving into a new apartment offers the opportunity to optimally adapt the environment to specific needs. Planning for accessibility ideally begins during the apartment search.
Before the move (planning):
- Inspection of the new apartment with a critical eye:
- Accesses: Are doors wide enough for wheelchairs/walkers? Are there thresholds?
- Bathroom: Are the shower and toilet barrier-free or adaptable (grab bars, shower seat)? Is there enough freedom of movement?
- Kitchen: Are work surfaces and appliances reachable?
- Floors: Are the floors non-slip? Are there tripping hazards like loose rugs?
- Light and contrasts: Is the lighting sufficient? Are there clear contrasts (e.g., between floor and wall) for better orientation?
- Reachability: Are sockets, light switches, window handles at a comfortable height?
- Planning and organizing adaptations:
- Hiring craftsmen: If renovation work (e.g., installation of a walk-in shower, attachment of grab bars) is necessary, plan it early. Ideally, this work should be completed before moving in.
- Aids and devices: Ensure that necessary aids (wheelchair, walking aids, nursing bed) are in the new apartment in good time and are set up and functional.
- Ramps/threshold ramps: If temporary or permanent ramps are needed, obtain them in advance.
During and after the move (implementation):
- Securing barrier-free access routes: On moving day, all access routes to the old and new apartment must be free of obstacles. Thresholds can be temporarily bridged with small ramps to facilitate the movement of aids.
- Furniture layout plan: Create a detailed plan of how the furniture should be arranged in the new apartment to ensure sufficient freedom of movement, especially for wheelchairs or walkers.
- Set up essential areas first: Bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen should have priority. Ensure that these rooms are functional and safe before other areas are tackled. Medications and important personal items (hearing aid, glasses, etc.) must be immediately accessible. Pack a special, easily accessible “emergency box” for this purpose.
- Install orientation aids: Bright lighting, night lights in hallways and bathrooms. Color markings on door frames or steps can help with orientation. A large, clearly visible nameplate on the new door and mailbox.
- Utilize professional support:
- Senior moves: Many moving companies offer specialized services for seniors and people with special needs. These often include not only pure transport but also packing and unpacking services, furniture assembly, professional disposal, and sometimes even the coordination of craftsmen for adaptations.
- Inform care services: Clarify with the moving company whether they have experience in handling sensitive situations and can meet the needs of the person concerned.
- Involve trusted persons: Have a trusted person (family member, caregiver) present on moving day to support the affected person and serve as a contact person.
A move with special needs requires more than just logistical planning – it requires empathy, patience, and precise coordination with individual requirements. Through careful preparation, the use of professional support, and the conscious design of the new barrier-free home, this transition will become a safe and positive experience that sustainably improves the quality of life.