If moving to a senior living community is on the horizon for you or a loved one, you may be wondering where to begin. One of the first things you’ll need to consider is the size of your new living space, and whether or not you’ll have the same amount of room for your belongings. If your new space will be smaller and you aren’t sure how to downsize your home for retirement, there are a few key steps you can take to prevent being overwhelmed by downsizing.
The following tips are rich with advice to help seniors who are downsizing for retirement and can help you navigate the process with sensitivity, grace, and practicality so everyone is prepared when moving day arrives.
1. Allocate Plenty of Time
Among the many tips for downsizing, allocating enough time for the process is perhaps the most important. Sorting through a lifetime of belongings is time-consuming. Doing it at a comfortable pace will ease the physical toll and make the downsizing process more enjoyable. Give yourself permission to reminisce as you come across keepsakes that bring on a sense of nostalgia. It may take several weekends of work, but sorting through items one at a time without rushing will let you make better decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
2. Ease into the Process
Start the sorting and packing in a smaller area of the house that’s less likely to hold sentimental attachments, like a linen closet or pantry. This method lets you set your own pace and get a realistic idea of how much time you’ll need to complete the whole house. It’s also a way to test a system for deciding what you’ll keep, trash, or donate.
3. Focus on Reducing Clutter
As a senior downsizing from a family home to a one- or two-bedroom apartment floorplan, you may find there’s simply too much stuff to fit the new floor plan. An inherent part of any move, decluttering for seniors focuses on first sorting through items that are easy to eliminate. Stacks of outdated magazines, items you have in duplicate, and things you haven’t used in over a year are all good candidates for the discard pile. Avoid hanging on to things you might need “someday;” it’s just more you’ll have to organize when you reach your new home.
4. Get Rid of Stuff You Don’t Want
A fresh start means you get to fill your home with the things you want and create an independent living lifestyle that makes you happy. This is the perfect excuse to part with unwanted gifts you kept out of obligation, or anything that brings about negative feelings. No one will blame you for cutting back as you plan for your move, so take advantage of the chance to purge guilt-free.
5. Align With Your New Floor Plan and Amenities
Another important tip for downsizing to a retirement community is to try to pare down your belongings to only what you’ll have space for in your new home. It’s a safe bet that if you don’t have a garage in your new place, there’s not much point in keeping most of the things in your current garage. The same goes for a formal dining room, extra bathrooms, and bedrooms.
You’ll also want to consider the senior living amenities and services available at your new home. If your community offers on-site dining venues, housekeeping services, and fitness centers, you may be able to reduce the number of cleaning and cooking tools you have in your belongings, as well as any bulky gym equipment.
6. Be Conscious of Your Mental Health
A move to senior living is a big change that can bring about strong feelings, so the added stress of parting with your home and treasured items can trigger big emotions, too. You may tell yourself it’s just real estate and things, but it’s very normal for older adults to struggle with letting go of their possessions. It may even feel a bit like mourning as you discard things and prepare to leave familiar surroundings. Allowing family and friends to help you with the move can help reduce loneliness and keep your spirits strong.
7. To Hold Onto Memories, Get Creative
Practically speaking, you’ll probably end up parting with some things you wish you could keep. After all, a collection of antique dolls or music boxes undoubtedly carries dozens of special memories. Choose a couple of your favorites to keep, share others with family members or friends, and as for the rest, take photos that you can assemble in an album that’s sure to take up far less space.
Find Your New Senior Living Oasis at Querencia
When it comes to downsizing help for seniors, we’re the experts. Contact us using the form below to get more downsizing tips, or to learn more about the luxury lifestyle at Querencia at Barton Creek.
