Does the thought of downsizing your home feel impossible? Despite the positive outcomes resulting from a proper declutter, downsizing can bring feelings of dread and quickly become a mess of hard work and difficult emotions.

The overwhelming task of downsizing can make older adults feel unsure about a senior living move altogether. They wonder, “What will happen to all of my things? Where will I store belongings that are important to me? How will I ever organize my whole house into a smaller space?” However, with the right approach, downsizing can bring relief and respite and even support a senior’s goal of maintaining independence.

Whether you’re looking to downsize your own home or the home of a loved one, our five tips will help you shrug off the downsizing dread and get you started in no time. By planning ahead, rightsizing your space, and relying on the proper assistance and time to adjust, you’ll be well-prepared for a maintenance-free lifestyle you won’t regret.

1. Tour a Senior Living Community First

When downsizing for a senior living move, now or in the future, plan to tour a community first. Why? Visiting a community before downsizing can provide valuable direction for your move and, most importantly, connect you and your loved one with a senior living expert to lean on. With resources and recommendations in place, you’ll feel more confident when tackling each task.

Whether you tour one community or several, take advantage of the following:

Referrals—Senior living counselors are well-connected with other professionals who provide downsizing services and support to seniors and their families. Ask for their recommendations for specialists who can assist with moving, relocation, home organization, estate sales, and other needs.

Resources—Many senior living communities offer customizable move-in guides, floor plans, and checklists to help with the downsizing process. Say “yes” to any offered resources!

Services – Some communities may offer moving services, downsizing packages, or other à la carte options that can simplify the move-in process for residents. These can come with an additional fee, but may be well worth the investment, especially for those who don’t have a local network of support.

After viewing a community’s living options and exploring shared resident spaces, you’ll have a great picture of how you might want to downsize. Remember this visual as you work through the tips below.

2. Start Small and Plan Ahead

Keep the process manageable by starting small and planning ahead, allowing ample time to sort through each room of your home. Depending on your level of independence, decide who will manage this process. Collaborate with a family member, friend, caregiver, or other assistant who can provide support.

Make a to-do list for each room of your house and work through one room at a time. Identify your most-loved belongings and the most practical items to take to your new home. Set aside items for donating, disposing of, giving away to family or friends, and packing in preparation for your move.

Not ready to make a decision about an item? Set aside a “not ready” pile. This can help you work through emotions when encountering a difficult item. Then, once your main goals are achieved, you can return to that pile after some time and reflect with a fresh mindset.

3. Rightsize Your New Space

Rightsizing your new living space offers a blank canvas for imagining your home, ensuring it meets your needs and provides a safe, comfortable environment for enjoying life. Get familiar with the floor plan and have measurements handy when selecting furniture, storage solutions, and décor. Identify the items you use most often (daily, every week, etc.) and arrange a model apartment on paper using your floor plan as a guide.

Remember, you’re not living in this space and this space alone. A senior living community provides access to shared spaces, gathering areas, community rooms, and other beautiful amenities that will become part of your home. Prioritize your essentials and pieces that can serve multiple purposes while applying the “less is more” philosophy. Aim for a calming, clutter-free environment with meaningful and purposeful décor that makes you happy and brings you joy.

4. Ask for Help & Consider Professional Support

Seeking professional help may be the best decision you make when downsizing. Imagine having an expert who can help determine what to bring and leave, or how to wrap, pack, move, unpack, and organize your new home. A senior transition specialist or a moving and relocation service specializing in assisting older adults can be a beneficial investment for older adults and their families.

Services can include relocation, moving assistance, packing and resettling, decluttering and home cleanouts, space planning, and junk removal, which can simplify the process and reduce the time, effort, and frustration of downsizing. With the heavy lifting managed by a professional team, you and your loved ones can support each other through the emotional transition without the added stress.

5. Give Yourself Time to Adjust

Moving to a new environment brings a range of emotions and challenges. It is important to set realistic expectations for the transition and give yourself plenty of time to adjust. As you work through the downsizing process, be patient with yourself and take frequent breaks when needed to reset. While preparing for a senior living move may seem complicated, settling in is often much more relaxed. With time, your new home will become familiar and comfortable.

How can you ensure a successful transition? Keep in mind the following tips for new residents getting acclimated to community life:

• Talk to residents and families. Talk to residents and their families to learn what worked well, what they might have done differently, and gain recommendations for a successful move.
• Invite people to visit you in your new space. Encourage family members, friends, fellow residents, or community staff to see your residence. Host an “open house” and use your artwork, décor, family photos, or other unique pieces from your home as conversation starters.
• Learn the community’s routine. Familiarize yourself with the daily schedule of events, programs, and the most popular gathering spaces.
• Explore the community. Find and identify the places you love most: a cozy sitting area, an outdoor walking trail, a quiet library, or a bustling bistro. Discover your favorite spots and connect with other people.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Living in community with others means a network of support is at your fingertips. The front desk or concierge at a senior living community is a valuable resource to residents and can point you in the right direction.
• Stay involved and be active. Socialize. Take advantage of the community’s services, amenities, and lifestyle offers.

Downsizing is a Process

Like any process, downsizing takes time. Even with the best-laid plans, downsizing and timing a senior living move can feel complicated and overwhelming. Show understanding and kindness to yourself through the process. Maintain a flexible mindset when plans change and rely on trusted resources, like a senior care counselor, to help with concerns and questions.

To learn more about timing your senior living move, connect with a Cardinal Bay team member or check out our free resources! Subscribe to our blog or schedule a tour at any of our independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in Central Texas and Oklahoma. See firsthand why residents love living in our communities and wish they had moved sooner.