Is your parent, grandparent, or other close senior moving to another place soon? Many older adults downsize when they retire or when their children relocate out of the family home.
Sterling Interstate has been helping seniors move for many years. We understand that it can be a challenging and emotional process. That’s why we’ve put together some tips to help make your loved one’s transition smoother.
Start Early and Downsize Gradually
The key to successfully downsizing is to start early and do it gradually. Don’t wait until the last minute to help your loved one pack.
Start going through their things a few months before the move. This practice will give you plenty of time to sort through everything and ask them what items to discard before moving day.
Abide by the “One Year” Rule
At some point, prepare for your loved ones to give up and want to keep everything. After all, they may not have the energy or inclination to go through all their belongings and get rid of things, but trust us, it’s worth it in the long run.
A good rule of thumb is the “one-year” rule. If your loved one didn’t use an item in the past year, they probably won’t do so in the future. So get rid of it!
Think About Your New Lifestyle
When downsizing, it’s essential to think about your loved one’s new lifestyle. For example, they probably won’t need as much furniture when moving from a large home to a smaller condo.
It’s also important to consider the new location. If they’re moving to an assisted living community where meals are part of the package, they might not need many kitchen appliances.
Digitize Any Photos and Documents
One of the major challenges of downsizing with seniors is dealing with all the family photos and essential documents kept throughout the years. What do you do?
A great solution is to digitize. You can keep everything safe and accessible without taking up physical space.
There are many ways to digitize your loved one’s belongings, such as scanning or taking photos with your smartphone. You can even find apps that will help you do it.
Make Arrangements for Valuables
When downsizing, you may come across some valuables your loved one no longer has a use for. If they have jewelry, art, or other items of value, you’ll need to make arrangements for them.
You may want to sell them, give them to other family members, or donate them to charity — or you may decide to keep them in storage. Either way, you and your loved one should decide what to do with them before moving day.
Invest in a Crating Service
Does your loved one have a porcelain vase with sentimental value? Maybe they own delicate antique furniture that needs special care. A tailored crating service can ensure the safety of their items and give them peace of mind.
Unlike other senior moving companies, Sterling Interstate can custom-build wooden crates to protect your loved one’s fragile belongings during the moving process. We have extensive experience helping seniors move, and we can help your loved ones too.
Learn About Our Senior Moving Services
If you need help with senior moving, reach out to our team. Sterling Interstate is an experienced moving company that can assist with everything from packing and unpacking to storage and crating. You and your loved one can sit back and relax while we handle the heavy lifting.
When you’re ready to talk to a senior move manager, call (602) 643-9022 today. Helping seniors move is our specialty, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
