Downsizing doesn’t have to be about moving to a smaller space. It can also be about decluttering and rightsizing to meet your exact lifestyle needs.
If you’re considering moving into a senior living community during the upcoming year, let us help with ideas for getting your things prepared. There are a handful of easy ways that older adults can save time when preparing for a move to a retirement community.
Keep reading to explore some of the best ways to scale down in the new year and make resolutions for a smooth move to senior living. We’ll also offer insight into how decluttering and downsizing can streamline the moving process.
Start Downsizing Early
Preparing for a move into a senior living community involves decisions, organization, sorting, packing and, finally, the actual move itself. Through all this, it’s important to prioritize your own wellness and have a clear idea of what kind of space you need.
A key idea that’s gaining momentum is smart sizing, which emphasizes moving to the right-sized space for your lifestyle. Waterstone of Lexington’s premier independent living units provide such a space – with spacious floor plans offering just what you need and want – and access to the enriching lifestyle you desire.
Start Small
You should start the process small by organizing, sorting and labeling items.
Begin with the very small, such as heirlooms or accessories, then move on to the very large, such as art or furniture. Box up what needs to be padded and label other items with painter’s tape for their future location. Ideally, if you organize thoroughly, the moving company can start loading their truck within minutes of arriving at your home. You might also want to contact a Senior Move Manager® to get help with what to prioritize.
Donate, Gift or Sell Items
One of the absolute best ways to declutter is to assess what’s in your home and how often you use it. If you don’t use it regularly and it doesn’t serve your immediate needs, consider donating, gifting, or selling such items.
For any possessions that you don’t want, label or place them in a ‘To Be Donated’ box. Gift these items to those in need or to local shelters or centers.
Pass on cherished items to friends, families, or neighbors who can use them. You can also organize a garage, yard or sidewalk sale and price things fairly to quickly find them good homes.
Focus on Just One Room at a Time
A good practice is to focus on one room at a time. You might experience emotional attachment while working through a lifetime of memories. It’s important to give time enough to sort through those memories. You never know what you might find or how it will impact you.
You may want to try moving clockwise through your home, spending the same amount of time on the downsizing in each area, every day. Before you know it, your home will be packed, and you’ll be on your way to a brand-new space – one where you will have an engaging lifestyle right at your fingertips and where your family members can gather to make brand-new memories.
Waterstone of Lexington: Your New Forwarding Address
Waterstone of Lexington offers a modern approach to retirement living in a historical setting with full amenities and services. Come see how we redefine independent living, assisted living and memory care at our Welcome Center in Belmont. The community will open in late summer 2022.