There are a number of reasons older adults would move on to live in a smaller living environment. Some of the more common causes include their adult children having moved out of the house or them choosing to move into a senior living community. Regardless of which reason holds for your loved ones, they would have to downsize in order to fit into the new accommodation. This transition can pose challenges for your loved ones as there’s a need to get rid of a few items along the way. These items no doubt hold a special place in your loved ones’ hearts, so it should come as no surprise your loved ones have grown attached to them. No matter how difficult the move is, there are some tips and tricks to make downsizing a little easier for both you and your loved ones.
Assess the New Space
Before clearing away any items or moving any furniture around, it’s crucial to take a look and evaluate the new living space. At Discovery Village At Alliance Town Center, we have multiple floor plans and photos of our apartments that you and your loved ones can check out. These floor plans come with accurate measurements so that you’re able to come up with a detailed interior plan. This is especially helpful if your loved ones are planning to bring along larger objects and furniture. Just in case you’re not aware, we’ll like to point out that all our apartments are already fully furnished, so there’s no need for your loved ones to purchase any new furniture.
Determine Which Item to Throw or Keep
Following the wise philosophy of organizing consultant Marie Kondo, an item should be kept if it brings you happiness. If your loved ones face difficulties in letting go of objects, ask them this question: “Does it spark joy?”. The KonMari Method™ also advocates the practice of organizing based on categories. Start from smaller spaces such as the closet or laundry room before progressing towards bigger areas like the kitchen and living room. This makes for easier downsizing and allows your loved ones to get used to the idea of organizing their home, which can be overwhelming at first.
Donate Items
While some items are no longer wanted by your loved ones, that does not mean no one wishes to use them. If the items are still in working condition, consider donating them to a non-profit organization or charity. We’re sure these items would be put to good use in a new home. Doing good for somebody always feels nice, so your loved ones might feel much happier and at ease knowing their items are not headed to the trash. Items we recommend donating are clothes, cooking ware, and antique objects like old clocks and telephones.
Make the New Space Feels Familiar
Here at Discovery Village At Alliance Town Center, we highly encourage our residents to add some personalized touch to their apartments. Whether it’s placing personal photos or paintings around the living space or repainting the walls with a preferred color, these small gestures can make the new living environment more welcoming and familiar, which can ease your loved ones’ worries. Since there are some limitations on what your loved ones can do to our apartments, do seek the advice from our concierge team before rearranging the space.
