Downsizing is often a large scenario for most seniors transitioning into senior living. Nevertheless, it can be particularly tough, as it's often hard to do away with the possessions they have had for many years. These possessions are often valuable for seniors because of the emotional attachment involved, as many items carry precious memories.
While downsizing and organizing to fit your loved one’s new space and lifestyle may be challenging, there are ways to make it easy. Here are some tips to help:
Create a plan
Downsizing isn't something you should do on the eve of the move. As such, you should give yourself sufficient time to organize and make concrete plans. Before you begin downsizing, list all the items your loved one possesses. This will streamline the subsequent tasks, as you can organize and sort items in the order of listed priority.
Assess your loved one’s needs
As you downsize, your loved one's needs should be foremost in your thoughts. You must choose what to keep, sell, or dispose of. Putting their needs first will ensure that all the items they'll be moving with are those that'll help them feel comfortable and settle in quickly into senior living.
Consider the size of the new living quarters
When downsizing, consider the size of the new living quarters, as you want to ensure that the items that make the cut will fit perfectly. So, have the new space's layout and size in mind to help you determine what items to keep and what to let go of.
Keep the memories, not the clutter
You can compress many items when downsizing. For instance, you can digitize photo albums and store them on hard drives for easy access. This way, you'll do away with the bulk of physical albums and make space for other items. Physical item collections can also be downsized by selecting a handful for the move and finding alternate homes for the rest.
Don't be scared to let go
Sentimental attachment is understandable, and it can be tough to dispose of or sell off certain items with rich memories behind them. Unfortunately, plans change all the time due to unwanted circumstances in life. You can give away certain precious items to select family members or donate them to various charity organizations.
Get aid when moving
If there's a lot of work to do, you shouldn't do everything on your own. You can request help from friends and family to help sort things out accordingly for a smooth transition.
Alternatively, we can provide the contact details of professional moving companies to assist you with decluttering, organizing, packing, and moving your loved one's belongings.
When transitioning your loved one gets overwhelming, remember that help is near
Transitioning your loved one to senior living can be physically and emotionally draining. There's lots to plan and execute, from selecting suitable facilities to helping them downsize. Why not enlist the help of a senior placement service to help?
At Welcome Home Senior Services and Placement Company, we will listen to your concerns during consultation and understand the needs of your loved one to make the transition as seamless as possible. Get help today.
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