Downsizing Guide for Seniors

Is the time to downsize approaching sooner than you might like? There could be a variety of reasons that make this a necessity: simplifying your lifestyle, cutting costs, moving closer to your grandchildren, or to move into an assisted living facility to have assistance with medical needs.

Cleaning out a home can be intimidating. But there are ways to simplify, break it down and make it more manageable. This is also the perfect time to relive significant memories and to share these memories with your children or loved ones.

Start Early: It is best to get a head start on downsizing so you have time to split up the tasks and not feel the pressure of rushing and/or doing it all at once.
Pace Yourself: It is important to go room by room or piece by piece. If you like calendars, maybe schedule a day a week or a box a night to go through. This will give you the proper amount of time with each item to reminisce and decide what to do with it.
Plan accordingly for Garages, Attics and Basements: These are the 3 most daunting rooms of the house because they typically accumulate the most random items. The other issue is depending on the time of year it might be too cold or hot to sort through all of those items. So plan those accordingly and at a time that will be most comfortable for you.
Eliminate Rooms: If you know where you will be moving too, think about what spaces will no longer be available in your new home. For example, if you won’t have a home office anymore, maybe plan a garage sale or ask any family members if they need any office furniture.
Make Yes or No Piles: It’s important to not have a maybe pile because it will create more work for you down the road. If you took the time to go through that box or room, then take the time to make a decision on each item. If it is a no then you could have subcategories like, sell, donate, offer to family, and trash. If it is a yes item and is small you can start placing them in moving boxes that are labeled for each room for your new place so it will already be packed and sorted for you when the time comes.
1. Questions to ask yourself if you are having trouble deciding:
  1. Have I used this item in the past year?
  2. Will I need it in my new place?
  3. Will it fit in my new place?
  4. Does it have a significant dollar value?
Say goodbye to duplicates: Do you really need 3 spatulas or 2 roasting pans?
Collections: If you are a collector, it might be hard to part with your prized possessions. One way to handle this if there isn’t enough space in your new destination is to take high resolution photos of each item and put them in a photo album. Then offer the collection to a family member, sell them or donate them to a place that will appreciate it as much as you do.
How should I sell? The easiest way is typically a garage sale. However, you don’t typically get the full asking price at those. If you have a grandchild or are tech-savvy you can also try using Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Craigslist and more. Just always remember to have someone go with you to meet someone, and if possible meet them in a safe separate location. Police Stations usually have a dedicated spot in their parking lot that is well lit and made for this purpose.

We understand downsizing can be tough and at some points overwhelming. But don’t be afraid to ask for help from your loved ones and use this time to bond. You might be surprised they might want your record collection or other items that won’t fit in your new place but hold a ton of sentimental value just as much as you do.

If you are looking into moving into an Assisted Living Facility after downsizing and are interested in how much space you will have and what items are the most essential, we would love to help! Please call our Director of Marketing & Admissions, Beverly Robinson at 386-847-3022 for more info.