Downsizing Tips for Seniors Moving to Assisted Living

Moving to assisted living can be a significant life change. There’ll be mixed emotions, from excitement about the new chapter to the bittersweet feeling of leaving a familiar home behind. As you help your loved one prepare for the move, it’s important to get some advice to ease this transition.

Downsizing tips for seniors moving to assisted living include:

1. Make a plan
2. Start early
3. Sort before packing
4. Try to be practical
5. Ask for a hand

And you can always contact the future community for help!

1. Make a Plan

Before you start packing, rearranging, sorting, or anything, start by creating a plan. It lets you be prepared for everything ahead and have a way to deal with potential roadblocks.

Begin by scheduling a tour with the community so you can start making your plan. By visiting the future home ahead of time, you can:

• See for yourself the physical space your loved one is moving to
• See the layout of the community itself
• Determine what future amenities and activities will be on-site
• See if the new place is furnished

If it’s possible, try to get a floor plan. Measurements matter! You’ll be able to design—on paper—how you and your loved one will be laying out the physical space of their new home. Plus, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you’ll bring furniture along.

Then, you’ll be able to start preparing for the move with a clear plan in mind. You’ll know what you’ll have room for—along with what can be left behind.

2. Start Early

We’re all often guilty of procrastinating when we shouldn’t. But starting early—especially when moving—can make a big difference in how stressful the situation is.

Start simple by decluttering. Go through each room one by one and get rid of trash, old storage containers, and anything your loved one thinks is unnecessary. Don’t forget to ask them before throwing anything out!

Try to set aside some time and stick to the schedule. Whether you spend a week helping or just one day here and there, it helps to know in advance. And by spreading this out, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed in the future. Meanwhile, by starting early, you and your loved one have more time to reminisce together and reflect on cherished memories every time you pick up something.

3. Sort Before Packing

There’s an effective strategy for downsizing—sorting things into three different piles. This lets you break things down into simple, manageable chunks. Try to set up the following:

• The yes pile, for things that are absolutely mandatory. Clothes, bedding, toiletries, cherished memories, and the things necessary for your loved one’s happiness go into this pile.
• The no pile, for things that aren’t required at all and should be discarded. Duplicate items, unnecessary belongings, old things that haven’t been used for years and now sit in a layer of dust should all go into this pile.
• The maybe pile, for things that can be difficult to decide on.

Then, start by going room by room. Start in the rooms that aren’t used very often and set up these 3 piles before going through things. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for anything damaged, cracked, or useless! These can often go overlooked, but why pack something that just needs to be thrown out later?

Don’t forget to go easy on your loved one, though. Try not to ask questions like, “You still held onto this? Why?” It can be embarrassing or confrontational, and your loved one has enough on their mind. Remember: these are their belongings, not yours. Let them bring the things that they deem important.

4. Try to Be Practical

When downsizing, it’s essential to try to be practical. Focus on packing the essentials and the things that truly matter to your loved one’s life. Determine what they need in their new home, and recommend letting go of anything that doesn’t meet these needs.

But don’t forget to be a little lenient here and there. While practicality is important, there’s going to be the occasional item that doesn’t serve a purpose other than making your loved one smile. So anything sentimental, like a photo album or a prized piece of clothing, should come along too!

Take your time through this process, and let them have the final say. Your loved one deserves to surround themselves with belongings that bring them happiness and comfort.

5. Ask for a Helping Hand

There’s an extremely important thing to note: remember that you and your loved one don’t have to do this alone. It can help to reach out to family and friends to get some support. You never know—the things that aren’t useful for your loved one may find a new home with one of your friends!

If it all seems overwhelming, or you’re worried about doing it all yourself, think about hiring a team of professional movers. There may be a nearby company that specializes in helping seniors move to assisted living. These movers can help provide you with valuable support, and they’ll have a wealth of expertise in safely packing and moving a person’s treasured belongings.

Here to Support Your Loved One

If your loved one is thinking about assisted living, reach out to us here at Washington Pointe Las Colinas. We’re here to help you and your family. We can ease this transition for you, so contact us today at Woodbridge Place to find a community that truly feels like home.