For your loved ones, there will come a day when they will realize that their children have grown up and are prepared to leave the nest. This means that they will have to downsize to a smaller home. Other reasons that can result in downsizing include increased medical costs, lifestyle changes, and financial constraints. As this move poses a new phase in your loved ones’ life, it is justifiable that they will feel overwhelmed, nervous, and upset at all the changes happening in their lives. As such, downsizing can cause much stress on your loved ones’ emotional and mental health. In order to make downsizing easier, here are some tips on downsizing for the elderly.
Talk It Out
Before proceeding to the downsizing process, it’s recommended to take some time to have a proper conversation with your loved ones, in which you will provide the reasons and advantages of downsizing. This talk can also provide an opportunity for you to connect with your loved ones, and get to better understand and address their worries. If possible, have this talk in advance in order to allow your loved ones to be more prepared for the move by giving them the space to sort out their items and handle the drastic change. The reason we do not recommend announcing the move right away is that your loved ones may have a surge in emotions, which can make them shut themselves out and be unwilling to listen to advice.
Create a System
When it comes to downsizing, it’s always good to start small. Areas in the house such as laundry rooms and bathrooms are relatively easier to declutter as there may not be many valuable items. As you and your loved ones work your way up to bigger spaces such as the living room, kitchen, and garage or attic, your loved one will find the entire decluttering process to be more organized. Do encourage your loved ones to let go of any objects with no sentimental value or are easily replaceable. If there are items that are still in good condition, donation is the way to go as there are other people who would appreciate these items instead.
Plan Out the New Living Space
An excellent method to declutter is to look at the new living space. This allows you and your loved ones to have a better idea of how small the living space is so that you all can pack the items accordingly. At Discovery Village At The West End, we provide floor plans and layouts on our website. If you’d like to know more information, you can contact our team members, who are more than delighted to attend to any requests.
Why Choose Discovery Village At The West End?
In our senior living community, our apartments are already fully furnished, so your loved ones can immediately move in from the first day and feel welcomed at the same time. However, if your loved ones like to add a few personalized touches or would prefer to change the decor up, they can consult our concierge team, who is on-site 24/7 and can provide interior recommendations.
