Adulthood meant buying a “starter” house that was smallish and affordable. Fast forward 50 years give or take and now many of us are looking for a “closer” house that fits our current needs, such as one with a smaller yard and fewer steps.For many men and women, their “closer” home is a life plan community such as Kendal at Oberlin. They move into a cottage or apartment knowing that if someday they need more services, they can move within the community to assisted living or nursing care. Others move to a condo or smaller house, hoping it is their “closer” and that they will be able to age in place.
Regardless of your destination, moving can be overwhelming. Often just the thought of downsizing and moving is so overwhelming that older adults remain in a house they no longer need or like.
1. Start with the big stuff. Furniture is costly to move so make cuts beforehand.
“Measure your space, identify outlet locations, and plan accordingly. Ask yourself: Does this piece fit my new space and lifestyle? Prioritize items that are functional, meaningful, and versatile,” according to Caring Transitions, a company that offers senior moving services.
You can find free furniture templates online to help in your decisions. People moving to Kendal can access floor plans that makes it easy to envision where furniture can be placed in their new home.
2. Make a list of places for unwanted stuff. The days of getting big bucks for books, china and the like are gone, so look for outlets that can reuse your items and keep them out of landfills: Public libraries and Little Free Libraries, thrift shops (many which support non-profits), Habitat for Humanity ReStores, Facebook Marketplace, local furniture bank. For more valuable items find an online auction or consignment service.
3. Clothes and more clothes. Our closets, drawers, maybe even our basement and attic are full of clothes we no longer wear or want (or fit into) but still haven’t parted with. But now you have to.
“In the majority of households, items that fall into the same category are stored in two or more places scattered around the house. Say, for example, you start with the bedroom closet. After you have finished sorting and discarding everything in it, you are bound to come across clothes you kept in a different closet or a coat draped over a living room chair. You will then have to repeat the whole process of choosing and storing, wasting time and effort, and you cannot make an accurate assessment of what you want to keep and discard under such conditions” writes Marie Kondo in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Better to start by category. Gather all your clothes in one spot and put them into piles by type – coats and jackets, tops, sweaters, etc. Then you are able to see the big picture and can begin sorting – keep one blue jacket, not three, pick the whitest T-shirt, etc.
4. Consider hiring help. Depending on your time, health and interest, you might consider a Senior Move Manager or a senior relocation service that helps older adults and their families downsize and move. Services include selling valuable items, getting rid of confidential papers, packing and unpacking, and really most any service you might need to facilitate your move.
Unlike people who move to a condo or apartment, men and women who decide to move to a continuing care retirement community know for certain that this will be their last move. And while this finality can evoke emotions, even anxiety about aging, the move can also reduce stress and bring peace of mind, according to myLifeSite, which helps consumers research retirement communities.
“Indeed, it’s crucial to recognize what retirement communities actually offer: stability, support, security, connection, and care … not chaos. The choice to move to a retirement community is a proactive step toward taking control of your life as you grow older.
In the end, proactively making ‘the last move’ to a retirement community really comes down to choosing your own destiny … or having it chosen for you. It’s about selecting a path that prioritizes well-being and peace of mind. A retirement community is not just a home but a vibrant lifestyle where residents can thrive without the worry of what lies ahead.”