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Downsizing Tips for Seniors: Decluttering with Ease

10/04/2024
Downsizing home with small houses concept

Decluttering or getting rid of items to make more room and downsizing or moving to a smaller home are two trends that have become increasingly popular, especially among seniors and older adults.

According to a Merrill Lynch Retirement study that was conducted with Age Wave, about 51% of adults ages 50 and over downsize after they retire.

Time has repeatedly shown that decluttering and downsizing make life easier and safer as fewer things often equate to fewer problems.

Decluttering and downsizing can also make way for better organization and cleanliness habits and sustainable and financially responsible purchases.

Before moving to an entirely different place or deciding whether to do so, most people choose to declutter first. As we get older, decluttering is often much harder due to age and the amount of stuff we have accumulated over a long time.

The most important (but unfortunately hardest) thing to do is to get started. The longer you wait to declutter, the harder it will be to address. The best tip for getting started is to start small.

Stick to one room at a time. Choose a single drawer or closet to tackle first. Then focus on a specific shelf or area. Spend a set amount of time and a realistic goal. There’s no need to get everything done in a day.

Spread out the task over time and ask for help from loved ones. Make separate piles of items to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. Determine whether you may need and can afford a storage unit. Take care of important documents and ensure they’re in a safe place that you can easily remember.

Host a community garage sale so that your items can find new homes and purposes while earning some money. Making decluttering fun and a bonding activity will make the entire process much easier, more enjoyable, and faster.

Or look into hiring a professional organizer who will offer their expertise into how you can reclaim living space.

What to Do First When Downsizing for Seniors

Senior Couple Downsizing In Retirement Packing And Labelling Boxes Ready For Move Into New Home

So, you’re considering downsizing. But first, have you considered these questions?

  1. Is home maintenance a significant burden in your life?
  2. How important and necessary is more space to you? Do you have a lot of unused space?
  3. Can you afford to stay in your current place in the long run?

There are many factors that you should think about before making the final decision to downsize, but remember, there is so much to look forward to when you finally decide to do so.

Downsizing can help you:

While downsizing may be more difficult for seniors (just as decluttering can be), there are many dedicated downsizing services for seniors. Downsizing assistance for seniors recognizes the heavier physical and emotional toll this process has on them.

To get started, downsizing help for seniors will often recommend they create a thorough and realistic checklist. What does this entail? In downsizing checklists for seniors, unique needs and preferences are considered.

Downsizing Tips and Tricks

To ease the burden, here are some downsizing tips and tricks to keep in mind.

  1. Start early: the sooner, the better! A last-minute panic is never good for anybody and can have serious consequences.
  2. Have a plan and timeline. If you already have a set move-out or move-in date, make sure you adequately spread out everything that needs to get done before then.
  3. Implement structure and routine.
  4. Consult downsizing specialists, real estate agents, and senior move managers for professional opinions and advice.
  5. Lay out a floor plan that fits your desired lifestyle and needs.

Consider Chelsea Senior Living

Downsizing does not always entail moving into a house or apartment, but also includes moving into senior living communities.

At Chelsea Senior Living, we aim to make the lives of seniors easier and more comfortable in every way. Our private, fully furnished apartments are spacious, simple, and ready to move in. You can still, of course, customize them to your liking, but you no longer need to stress about managing a new place on your own.

Schedule a walk-in tour to see if Chelsea Senior Living apartments are right for you.