Moving? Get ready, set for major address changes and oft overlooked ones

Older Americans in overwhelming numbers say that they want to stay in their current homes and communities as long as possible. Who can blame them when moving is among the most stressful passages in one’s life. And it’s also expensive.

But sometimes a move is necessary.

Maybe you have too many steps and need one level, want to move to be close to family as you age or live in a warmer climate in a senior community. Perhaps you (or your partner) have an illness, are no longer ambulatory or have dementia and need an assisted living facility or, in severe cases, are a candidate for a memory unit or an extended care facility. Hiring a caregiver at home is simply not in the budget.

To reach the goal of moving requires many adjustments and at the top of the list are address and phone number changes. Some are obvious, such as the post office address change card. which has become more involved than in the past. In New York State you have to fill out a change of address form (you can do this online or go into the post office), wait for a letter to arrive saying the address change was received and then go into the post office and show an ID. Other address changes can easily be overlooked such as memberships, therapists and more.

We’re here to help you check all the boxes that take place when you leave an old address for a new one. Fortunately, email addresses and cell numbers don’t have to change, which offers a huge degree of security that you can still be reached and in touch with those you love and leave behind.

Here is a checklist of necessary address changes that include the obvious ones and some that can be overlooked.

Medicare (1-800-633-4227), Social Security (1-800-772-1213) or if you are deaf or hard of hearing (1-800-325-0778), supplemental insurance, drug plan. You have to call them all separately to let them know about the address change. Your rates might then go up or down, depending on where you’re going to be living. Either do this online or call. The phone numbers are on the back of your cards and keep the cards handy because you’ll have to plug in your membership number.

Doctors on portal and pharmacy. This is an easy change. Find under personal information your old address, hit edit and delete it and then add the new one. Same with phone number. And don’t forget to make changes for your pharmacy. Your prescriptions might be transferable, but the pharmacy needs to know your new address whether you pick up your meds or have them mailed. If you have a new plan, you must also share that with the pharmacy before you can get your prescriptions.

Landline. Will you have the same landline? If moving within close proximity to your old address, landline numbers can stay the same even with a new carrier. However, most will be changed based on the location if another city and especially another state. If your landline number changes, let people know in a group email and of course add in your new address.

Voter registration and driver’s license: We just had a big election. We thought by changing the address on our license it would also change the voter registration information to include our new address. Wrong! You have to do these separately either online or through the mail. You cannot do this over the phone. If you move, you cannot vote unless you re-register with your new address. Once received by the Board of Elections, you’ll get information in the mail about where to vote.

Memberships: This may seem trivial—gym, library, place of worship, AARP, any clubs and so forth, but they need to know where you can be reached. When you move, some of these memberships might be reciprocal such as a country club or temple.

Rewards and Points programs: Make sure you call the Frequent Flyer or reward programs to give your change of address. If not, you might not get rewarded.

Bank and any financial places you deal with i.e., Fidelity or wherever you have your holdings; if you have a financial planner or advisor, they can do some of this for you. You’ll probably have to sign a document to make this change. The banks will most likely send a document for you to sign also for security purposes to make sure it’s you requesting the change of address.

Tax agencies/CPA. When you do your taxes, you must have an updated address for your CPA or tax filing and also the IRS will require this too for any transactions such as the special code to protect your identity.

Credit card companies. Look at the back of your card for the phone number or make the address changes online under your personal profile.
Lawyers need to know where you are living and where to send the bills for your new home.

Cleaning service. Some do this robotically every other week. Let the service know that you have moved so they don’t come to clean a place you no longer own. If that’s the case and you haven’t made the change, you might be charged anyway.

Standing appointments. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, psychotherapists, manicurist, massage therapist, hair stylist and colorists if you have regular appointments, et al. Make sure they know you’ve moved to a new address. If you don’t show up for a standing appointment, they might bill you.

Internet, cable and cell phone providers. Some places have preferred providers. Margaret had Spectrum, but her new building in the same city had a contract with another provider. Don’t forget to turn off the old service and then contact the new provider. Do the same with your cell phone provider.

Insurance company. (life/long term/homeowners/renter’s/driver’s) Cancel the old insurance and buy new. Your new address will determine the cost of this. If you live in a flood plain, for example, you might need to add different or more insurance.

Utility companies. Make sure they have your change of address to start charging you at the new place. Tell them a date to turn off the electricity or power at your former residence. You don’t want to end up paying someone else’s bill or come to a new place and not have electricity.

NP subscriptions and magazines. Call and give address changes so you can continue to receive the publications. The post office might forward them for a month or two, but that’s it. It’s up to you to give each publication your new information.

Online shopping sites. Ones such as Amazon or Instacart that you regularly frequent need to be contacted too. Stop automatic payments if you have any.
Loan providers. If applicable, change the address.

Passport. Do you have to change your current/new address on this? No, unless you have an application in process, and you are waiting for a Passport.

Check off the boxes. It’s time consuming but necessary if you want to continue to receive your mail, be able to use your credit cards, pay and receive medical insurance and prescriptions and receive your Social Security payments and more. It may take a month or two to get settled and for the changes to take place. In the meantime, enjoy your new home, sweet home. At an older age or often any age, it should be looked upon as an adventure that will put more bounce in your step and offer more pros than cons.