You spend a large part of your life and hard-earned money on the concept of the American dream, buying and living in your forever home. Your home is a special place, filled with lots of memories, love, and tons of laughter. As you age, you might start asking yourself whether your home works with your changing daily routines and needs.
To ease challenges and simplify living, you may want to consider downsizing. Downsizing can offer many financial and lifestyle benefits for seniors.
Why Downsize? Downsizing is the idea that your current space is more than you need and moving to a smaller space may fit your future needs better. Minimizing your living space and the amount of stuff you have can lead to less stress, lower living expenses, and a simpler overall life.
What to Look For. Before you downsize, create a list of your needs and wants in a new home. First and foremost, make sure you are moving to a space where you feel safe and comfortable. If you are going from a single-family home to a condo, consider that you will now have neighbors and the style of living will be different, but sometimes different is good and can expose you to new things you would never enjoy if you didn’t downsize.
Also, consider your future health needs. You may no longer want or be able to go up and down the stairs easily, so consider a ranch-style home or a first-floor unit. Ensure you have optimal mobility in your new living space to help prevent accidents and falls.
YOUR FIRST STEP:
Declutter. As we get older we seem to accumulate a lot of treasures over the years. Moving into a smaller space forces decisions on how to sort through treasures. There are some basic ways to streamline possessions when downsizing:
- Determine what is going on with you
- Give items to the adult children
- Donate
- Sell
- Create 4 piles when decluttering each space – K-T-D-S = KEEP TOSS DONATE SELL
Packing. If the senior and family members are packing up instead of using professional movers, there are a few tips to consider:
- Pack one room completely before moving on. This means making the more difficult decisions up front without leaving items to decide on late in the process.
- Pack dishes and glassware with care. Use extra packing paper and wrap each individual piece. Stack dishes vertically, not horizontally. Pad the container’s top and bottom with cloth or towels and mark the box “fragile.”
- Pack essentials separately. Consider what will be needed in the first week in the new home—examples: medications, toilet paper, shower curtains, towels, and hand soap. Make sure you Label the boxes so that each container does not have to be opened to discover what is inside. Label each box with – WHAT ROOM DOES IT GO, CONTENT believe me as many times as I have moved your friends will appreciate these two bits of information.
Consider a portable storage unit or a moving pod, which will provide a less stressful experience because it can be loaded over time. Make sure when you’re setting a new budget for your new home – you budget this item.
Consider hiring professionals. There are Professional Organizers (like Lifestyle by Design) who specialize in assisting older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation or a transition in your lifestyle.
If you’re looking for guidance beyond this article today, my Coaching Programs can be customized just for you. Book a Complimentary Session to discuss what’s holding you back. I look forward to guiding you on your journey to achieve organized spaces in your home or business.
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