15 Tips for Senior Downsizing

One transition many older adults face is downsizing. There are many reasons to downsize. Maybe the house has become more than you want or need. Perhaps you're starting to have trouble negotiating the steps. Maybe you want to lower your monthly bills to travel more.

While AARP reports that 77% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their current homes for the long term, downsizing can also be gratifying.

"Fifty-one percent of retirees downsize to rid themselves of the worries of maintaining a large house and for a sense of financial freedom," according to LTC News. "But, moving to a new home is not the only way to scale back. A "downsized" way of living can also be liberating, allowing you to enjoy other aspects of your golden years."

15 Tips for Senior Downsizing

1.    Plan early
Packing up a lifetime of stuff and paring it down to fit into a smaller space can take a while. Start planning and packing early and give yourself plenty of time to do what needs to be done.

2.    Decide where to live
Do you want to move closer to family or a warmer climate? Do you want everything on one floor? Do you want to live in an apartment, condo, townhouse, senior-living facility, etc.?

3.    Set goals and timelines
Keep yourself on track with specific goals and timelines.

4.    Take small bites
Packing up an entire house and moving to a new location can be overwhelming. Start small and tackle one area (room, closet, etc.) at a time.

5.    Make a floor plan of your new home
This will help you determine what will fit, where it will go, and what you need to get rid of.

6.    Take Pictures
If you like a particular setup – for example, the way you have your books and whatnot organized on your bookshelves – take a photo of your bookshelves before you pack everything up, so you can replicate it in your new home. If putting your electronics together involves a bunch of cords, take a picture or video of what goes where.

7.    Keep, Toss, Donate, Give Away
Sort all your items into one of these categories. Don't be tempted to start a "maybe" box.

8.    Get Rid of Duplicates
Do you really need two blenders, three sets of golf clubs, or fifty T-shirts? Probably not. Choose your favorite and get rid of the rest.

9.    Ask yourself some tough questions
If you can't decide whether or not to keep an item, organizing professionals suggest asking yourself the following questions: Have I used it in the past year? Is it beautiful? Does it make me happy?

10. Label
Create a system of labels so you know what to keep, toss, donate, or give away, and a system of labels so you know where boxes should go in your new home.

11. Digitize
You may not have room in your new home for 50 photo albums or five boxes of your grandchildren's artwork, but that doesn't mean you can't keep those memories. You can digitize them yourself or have a professional do it for you.

12. Take Time to Enjoy Your Treasures
If you give yourself plenty of time to declutter, you can take some time to enjoy the memories associated with your possessions.

13. Focus on the Positive
If you're struggling with your decision to downsize, remind yourself of all the benefits – lower utility bills, closer to family, less stress, etc. Remember, you're making this move for a reason, so you might as well focus on the positive things about the move rather than the negative.

14. Ask for Help
You don't have to do this alone. Perhaps ask a friend or family member to help you. Just about any task is easier and more fun with someone else. You can even hire someone to do much of the packing and moving for you.

15. Pack an Essentials Bag
As you get closer to moving day, pack a bag of essentials – toiletries, medications, PJs, basic kitchen and cleaning supplies, sheets and towels, essential documents, and anything else you think you might need in the first day or two in your new home.

Need Help Downsizing?

As part of Phoebe, Comforting Home Care by Phoebe continues our 100+ year mission of serving seniors and people with disabilities in our local community. Whatever you need – help packing, companionship, transportation, home care, etc. – we can help!

Contact us today at 610-625-5206 or connect with us online.