3 Steps Seniors Can Take To Downsize For A Move

Making a move can be an overwhelming process. If you’re a senior who will be leaving a home you’ve lived in for years or even decades, it can be a very emotional time. Going through your belongings and eliminating items can be difficult, time-consuming and physically exhausting. However, downsizing for a move into a smaller home–or into an assisted living facility–is very important and takes some planning.

One of the first things you’ll need to do is hire a reputable moving company like HireAHelper, and figure out a time frame to get things done. Gather all the supplies you’ll need to go through your belongings, for packing, and for cleaning, and make a list of things you’ll need to buy.

Here are some of the best tips on how to downsize for a move.

Prepare

Before you begin packing, it’s important to prepare your home for the move. This means cleaning, decluttering, and going through storage spaces throughout your home. There may be things that can be auctioned off or sold on eBay, so talk to your family members about helping you make some extra money for the move.

Now is the time to acquire boxes, packing materials, tape, and any necessary cleaning products as well. Be sure to have several different sizes of boxes so that small, fragile items can be kept safe. Big, bulky items that aren’t that heavy–pillows, blankets, towels, etc.–should go into larger boxes.

Take Inventory

It’s always a good idea to go through your belongings before you pack up, not only to see what you have and take note of it, but to pull items aside to give to family members, dispose of, or donate. This will help you pare down easily and give you a chance to get rid of things you don’t want to take to the new place.

Once you do start to pack, make a list of each thing you place into the boxes so they’ll be easier to find after the move. It’s also a good idea to make sure the movers take an inventory, as well.

Packing

Go room to room when packing and keep like items together; try not to mix rooms if possible. For breakable items such as dishes and cups, wrap them well with thick newspaper or bubble wrap and place them in the box on their sides. individually wrap cups and mugs to place inside one another,  and then wrap again to protect against breakage or cracking. Remember not to put too many of these into one box, as it will quickly become very heavy and will be both a physical hazard and a damage issue.

If you have a flat-screen television, find the proper way to move it. Many flat-screens can be ruined if they are laid flat in a box, so it is better to pack them in a proper shipping container. Strong packing tape is a must for each box, and you’ll need to make sure each box is securely wrapped on all sides.

Don’t forget to reserve 8-10 boxes for moving day, when last-minute items such as cleaning supplies and toiletries will need to be packed up. These should be packed into your car rather than into the moving van so they can be unloaded first. (Especially if they hold medicine or medical equipment.) Remember to leave toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates and cups, and utensils for last.

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As a senior, it can be a tedious task to downsize and prepare for a move. Don’t be afraid to look to your family members for support and use these steps as a guide to prepare for move-out day. Entering this new stage in your life can be bittersweet, so ensure that you and your family have decided this is the right step ahead for you.

For more information, click here to contact Sherron Lawrence at Realty National, Inc., our own Senior Relocation Specialist.

This is a guest post by Mike Longsdon of ElderFreedom.net.