Before, During, and After Downsizing:
What Seniors Need to Know

Courtesy http://elderfreedom.net/

When it comes to making the most of those golden years, many seniors find that where and how we live makes a big difference. That’s why so many decide to downsize from their larger family homes to more manageable spaces.

Downsizing can be a bittersweet process. On the one hand, it’s exciting to start a new adventure in a new place. On the other hand, our homes are filled with much more than stuff — they are filled with memories. Knowing the right decisions to make from start to finish can help create a more positive, smooth, and maybe even painless downsizing experience. Here are a few moving tips every senior should think about when they consider downsizing their home.

Before You Begin

There are a lot of good reasons to consider a smaller home. Less space to manage means less time spent cleaning and less money wasted heating and cooling rooms you no longer use.  Big homes can feel isolating, especially when compared to a cozy cottage in a retirement community. Before you downsize, consider your needs and wants.

• Will you move into a smaller house, purchase a condo or rent an apartment?
• What is the chance that you will eventually need long-term care?
• Do you want to move closer to family or retire in a comfortable climate or exciting city?
• Will you be living alone or with a spouse, partner or roommate?
• How much can you afford for living expenses?
• Will you need home modifications to help with sight, hearing, or mobility?

The answer to these questions can help you determine your budget for downsizing, which, in turn, helps you find the right space at the right price. It also helps to know the temperature of the housing market. Answer all of these questions honestly, and use your results to drive your search for a new home.

Making the Move

Since the whole purpose of downsizing is to live in a smaller, safer, and more manageable home, you will have to let some belongings go — and unfortunately, some of them may be hard to part with. This is especially true for seniors who have lost loved ones and will be purging some of their belongings, as well. Make the process less challenging by.

• Giving sentimental items to family members and donating other items to a cause really meaningful to you or your loved one.
• Keeping only one or two particularly treasured keepsakes out of a collection.
• Taking pictures of items you want to remember but don’t need to keep.
• Organizing possessions into keep, donate, sell and unsure categories. Put the boxes marked “unsure” into storage until you are ready to decide.
• Scan photos and keep digital copies in the cloud, as opposed to physical copies that clutter up space.

Downsizing is challenging, but it can also be liberating. Moving beyond needing all that stuff can lift a heavy weight — or even a dark cloud — from over your retirement plans.

However, when you finally decide to pack up, it’s important to make a checklist and check out some helpful online guides (for example, how to pack DVDs and wrap fragile items before boxing them up) to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. If there are items you’d like to keep, consider renting a self-storage unit. Make sure you can fit the price of renting a storage unit into your budget, and keep in mind that you might need to rent a U-Haul truck to transport those items to your new home.

Life After Downsizing

A smaller space may take some time and adjustment to get used to, especially if you’ve moved to a different city or town. Be patient and compassionate with yourself. You can have a lot of fun making your new house into a home by:

• Inviting friends over for meals, movies, book clubs, and crafting.
• Taking walks to explore your new neighbourhood.
• Getting to know your neighbours and their families.
• Making new friends at local community and senior centres.
• Volunteering your time at a local charity that makes a difference in your area.

Downsizing can feel like stepping on to an emotional roller coaster. There are exciting, soaring highs, but that means there will likely be a few stomach dropping lows. Just remember you can handle this. Make a plan to keep you grounded; knowing what you want and what you can afford will help your enjoy your new home and all the new experiences that come with it.