Downsizing tips for seniors are designed to help make the process less daunting.
In our retirement years, moving to a smaller, more manageable home is a tempting option. As we age, downsizing makes sense. It offers financial and safety advantages. Plus, it reduces investments of time and energy in home maintenance. Moving into a smaller home in an independent living retirement community can bring you peace of mind during your retirement years.
“Downsizing is a gift — it encourages you to focus deeply on building a home that sparks joy, no matter the square footage."
— Marie Kondo, author and founder of KonMari Media
1. Create a Plan
Creating a detailed and organized plan makes downsizing more manageable. Start a few months in advance of your move. Organizing, packing and moving your belongings will probably take more time than you expect. A plan keeps your stress to a minimum by avoiding last-minute decision-making for your move.
2. Downsize gradually and start small
Downsizing is a process that takes time. Pack less frequently used and sentimental possessions first, such as decorations and souvenirs. This will help you decide on the items important enough to hold onto. Need a place to start? Choose a drawer in your home. The satisfaction a clean drawer can create should not be underestimated.
3. Discard duplicates and consolidate collections
Now is the perfect time to toss all extra mugs, spatulas, and collectibles around the house. Set aside your favorites and take photos of the others. You can donate or discard the ones you don’t really need.
4. Adopt the “one year” rule
Have trouble deciding whether to keep something? if you haven’t used it over the last year, you probably won’t use it anytime soon. That makes it a good candidate for donation.
5. Assess your space and needs
Get the measurements of your new floorplan and storage space. By knowing exactly how much space you’ll have, it will be easier to decide which furniture and belongings to keep.
6. Donate used items
Once you have decided which items you no longer need or want, ask family, friends and neighbors if they are interested in taking them. For all the rest, you can host a yard sale or find a registered nonprofit to donate your household items to. Consider Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill or Seattle-based Mary’s Place. And, according to the IRS, “You may deduct charitable contributions of money or property made to organizations if you itemize your deductions.”
7. Keep track of important documents
As you go through your documents, label and set aside the most important ones. Birth certificates, passports, insurance policies and medical records should be placed in a secure location that is accessible throughout the moving process.
8. Digitize memories
Photos and letters are tangible parts of your personal history that are important to hold onto. To save space, find a scanning service that will digitize your photos and letters and send them back to you. You can also use self-service scanning at businesses such as Office Depot.
9. Get help from family
Finding extra helping hands can make downsizing easier. By allowing family and friends to help, the process will be more enjoyable and could also present opportunities to pass some of your items along.
10. Take the time to reminisce
“A good life is a collection of happy memories.”
—Denis Waitley
It can be sad to go through a lifetime of treasured memories. It’s also the perfect time to reflect on the many happy moments associated with your belongings.
If you are thinking of downsizing and are considering a move to a vibrant retirement community in the Seattle area, use the Horizon House Downsize to Rightsize assessment tool. And if the time is right to join a lively independent living community with seniors from diverse backgrounds and cultures, contact Horizon House today to learn more.