Downsizing – It’s about what do I do with my stuff?

Helping seniors pack to move to a retirement homeSenior Moves has helped nearly 3000 people with the downsizing process. Most of them knew they needed to move and didn’t want to. They liked living in their familiar situations and DID NOT WANT ANY CHANGE. Unfortunately their situations had changed and they were overwhelmed! They didn`t know where to start.

We have discovered their biggest concern is what will they do with their stuff.

None of us know how much time we have and it is important to make the best of the time we do have. We ask our clients where they are planning to go and guide them in choosing things that will make their new residence home. It doesn’t matter if it is a 3 bedroom condo or adult bungalow or a small room in a nursing home, choices can be made that will help them settle in easier.

We ask how they would like to use their new space?

Do they want to have friends or family members visit in their new “home”?  (Choose chairs, possibly a smaller table with chairs, a kettle and coffee mugs, or wine glasses, plates for pizza or a cookie or muffin so they can be hospitable)

Do they want to spend  “alone time” in their suite? (Watching tv, reading, working on family pictures or records, writing a book, painting) They could take family members or friends out for lunch rather than have them in their suite.

Are there hobbies, collectibles, paintings that are important to them …

We always tell our precious seniors that they are THE PRIORITY and the first thing they need to do is identify  what will move with them.

Step 2 is what to give to family members

Step 3 is what to sell

Step 4 is what to donate

and step 5 is what to discard.

We find if they choose what to bring with them to enhance their life then do steps 2,3,4,and 5 that things go quite smoothly. Unfortunately seniors often think about steps 2 to 5 and don`t make number 1 the priority.

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