Home > Downsizing Tips for Seniors: Helping Mom and Dad Move

Downsizing Tips for Seniors: Helping Mom and Dad Move

Downsizing for retirement can be a big task, and many families come together to help their aging parents make the transition.  These downsizing tips for seniors will help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for the whole family.

10 Downsizing Tips for Seniors

Tip 1: Stay Positive – But Balanced

If your loved one is struggling with the idea of moving, be thoughtful in how you discuss it. Don’t focus only on the positive things and new community and ignore the adjustments that come with a big life change. Make sure their feelings and concerns are heard, and remind them of all they have to look forward to in their golden years.

Tip 2: Be Cooperative

Don’t create added stress in the moving process. While you might disagree with your siblings or other family members about how the move should go, fighting and letting tensions rise will make the move more difficult for your parents.  Hold a family meeting before preparations begin and agree on a plan. Then stick to it and be cooperative to create a positive experience for everyone involved.

Tip 3: Plan Ahead

Once the decision to downsize has been made, plan for at least three to four months of preparation time before moving day. There is a lifetime’s worth of belongings to sort through, which can take a substantial amount of time. If you can’t help prepare, hire a moving company that specializes in assisting seniors.

Tip 4: Give Them Time

Be prepared to take it slowly when downsizing, even one drawer at a time. Allow your parents ample time to relive the memories that come with each item.

As you go through belongings, sort items into the following categories:

• Bring to the new house
• Give to a family member
• Sell
• Donate
• Throw away

Keep in mind the square footage of the new home when deciding what to keep. If a parent wants to keep more than can safely fit, ask them to consider a storage unit for things they will not use frequently. Then if they have not used an item for 12 months, they would agree to part with it. You can also take photos of some items that they treasure, but have no room for, or keep just one item from a collection.

Tip 5: Keep Favorite Items Whenever Possible

Don’t be quick to replace older household items with new ones, even if you think this will make their life easier. Familiarity assists in the adjustment process and cuts down on anxiety. Some items may have sentimental value that you are unaware of. Keep as much the same as possible, even snapping photos of the old home and arranging the new one similarly. If their furniture fits the new space and they still like it, they should be able to keep it.

Tip 6: Help With Administrative Tasks

• Prior to the move, cancel utilities, including phone, gas, electricity, water, cable and internet providers.
• Arrange for these same services at the new home.
• Start a list of friends who need to be notified of their new address.
• Look over health and pharmacy plans to find providers in the new location.
• Have medical records and prescriptions transferred.
• Inform Social Security, insurance companies, retirement benefits, attorneys, banks, etc.
• Make a list of all the things that need to be transferred: medical and dental records, auto registration, license, insurance, bank accounts, financial records, safe deposit box contents and homeowner’s insurance.
• Arrange for their mail to be forwarded.
• Get a refill of all prescriptions just prior to moving.

Tip 7: Keep Essential Items Close By

In the final stages of packing, one of the most important downsizing tips for seniors is to pack essential items in their luggage instead of on the moving truck. These should include basic bathroom items such as towels and toiletries; basic kitchen items; bedding, safely packed and labeled medications and something to do for fun (a book, game, etc.) before everything is unpacked.

Tip 8: Leave Time for Goodbyes

When it is time for the move, give your parent time to say goodbye to their home. If possible, plan a party where they can say goodbye to friends and neighbors. This might not seem like the most important on the list of downsizing tips for seniors, but it can go a long way in making the change easier

Tip 9: Bring Important Documents

During the move, keep an accordion folder of important papers with you/them the entire time. The folder should contain a copy of their will, advance directives, insurance policies, a list of medications and contact information for the doctors that prescribed them. Also, bring information and medical records on pets.

Tip 10: Help Them Settle In

After the move, it will help your parents adjust if you can be available to help get them settled in.

• Help them unpack, again allowing them to choose how things should be placed. If they are not overwhelmed with moving chores, they can begin getting settled into their new community.
• Go with them to social events and church services.
• Find places where they can continue the same hobbies as before the move. Take them to the bank, the post office and other businesses that they will be using.
• Show them how to get around within the community so that they will feel more confident going out on their own when you are not there.
• Be there for them and be supportive as they adjust.

Finding a New Home

While moving to a new community can be an adjustment, following these downsizing tips for seniors can make the transition easier. It’s also important to find a community that meets their needs and aligns with their values for this new stage of life.

Advent Christian Village is a faith-based senior living community in beautiful Live Oak, Florida. We offer a full continuum of care that grows with our residents as they need it, from home ownership in independent neighborhoods to our compassionate assisted living and skilled nursing care. As part of our mission to make community living more accessible to everyone, we also offer manufactured housing and income-based rentals. There is truly something for everyone.

Benefits include walkable communities, convenient amenities and services, medical care and a local pharmacy, a sense of belonging and lifelong friendships with other community members.

Schedule a tour today – we’d love to share what your life at Advent Christian Village could be.