How Downsizing Can Help Seniors Prepare For Moving

Downsizing is an important part of moving. By choosing what you’re going to keep and what can go, you’ll declutter your old home quickly and be prepared for your move into your new home. Here are some tips on how to downsize.

Get Started Early

Downsizing is bound to take a long time, especially if you’re someone who gives emotional significance to items from the past. To make it less of an arduous task, we recommend getting started early. Give yourself two weeks to a month to get through it. If you need help getting rid of stuff that isn't wanted or needed anymore, try using a company like 1-800-GOT-JUNK. They will take old furniture, appliances, and renovation debris and will load and clean everything themselves.

Make a List 

When downsizing, it’s smart to make a list of what matters most. When you think about all the things you have in your home, what are the items that you will never, ever want to part with? Put these down in a list. This will make it easier to throw away or donate items that aren’t on this list.

Avoid Emotion First

When you first start clearing out your home, start out with the areas that have little emotional significance to you. If you start out in your first child’s bedroom, then you’ll probably end up on the bed remembering old memories, instead of actually cleaning. We recommend getting started in a room that doesn’t have an emotional attachment, such as the linen closet or laundry room.

Use Storage if Needed 

There are some things you won’t be able to let go of when moving. And that’s okay. If it’s a large object you can’t take with you to your new home, consider buying a storage unit or keeping it at a family member’s. While we generally recommend getting rid of what you don’t need, we understand that sometimes storage is the best option. If you have a lot of belongings you need to move, using a service like U-Haul can be beneficial and make moving easier.

If you are looking for a local real estate agent to sell your current home and give you advice regarding your next move. Use our senior services section to find a real estate agent near you. If you are searching for senior living near me or assisted living near me - use our "Find Communities" button and search your desired area today.