Moving Can Be Stressful

Downsizing and moving into an assisted living community can be a daunting task for seniors. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting and requires a lot of planning and preparation. However, with proper planning and organization, the downsizing process can be made much smoother and less stressful. In this article, we will discuss downsizing and provide a checklist of essentials for seniors moving into an assisted living community.Why Downsizing is Necessary:Downsizing is often necessary when seniors decide to move into an assisted living community. This is because they will be moving from a larger home with more space to a smaller living space that is more manageable and requires much less maintenance.Checklist of Essentials for Seniors Moving into an Assisted Living Community:Determine the Space AvailableBefore moving into an assisted living community, it is important to determine the amount of space available in the new living quarters. This will help seniors decide what items they can bring with them and what they need to sell, donate, or discard. Get a copy of the floor plan for your new living space and determine what furniture and items can fit. Seniors can also take measurements of the new living space and make their own floor plans.Take Inventory of BelongingsSeniors should take an inventory of their belongings and decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. This is a good time to downsize items that they no longer need or use. Many take this opportunity to gift family heirlooms or memorabilia to loved ones and relay the history and stories that surround precious items.Sell, Donate, or Discard Unwanted ItemsSeniors should sell, donate, or discard items that they no longer need or use. This can include furniture, clothing, kitchen items, and other household goods. This will help reduce the number of items that need to be moved and make the move easier.Pack with CareWhen packing for the move, seniors should take care to pack fragile items with extra padding and label boxes clearly. This will help ensure that items are not damaged during the move and that they can be easily unpacked and organized in the new spaces.Hire Professional MoversSeniors may want to consider hiring professional movers to help with the move. This will help reduce the physical and emotional stress of moving and ensure that items are transported safely to their new living quarters.Bring Important DocumentsSeniors should bring important documents with them to the assisted living community, including identification, medical records, insurance information, and legal documents. These documents should be kept in a safe and secure place.Familiarize Yourself with the CommunityBefore moving in, seniors should take the time to familiarize themselves with the assisted living community. This may include taking a tour, meeting staff and residents, and asking questions about the services and amenities available.Downsizing and moving into an assisted living community can be a worrisome experience for seniors, but it doesn't have to be. By following the checklist of essentials above and planning carefully, the process can be smoother and less stressful. Downsizing may require some difficult decisions, but it can also be an opportunity to simplify and declutter.By following these steps, seniors can make the transition to an assisted living community with confidence and ease. It may take some time to adjust to the new living environment, but with the right preparation and a positive attitude, it can be an exciting new chapter in life.

When you're young, you may desire with multiple floors and big kitchens for entertaining friends and raising your family. We want beautiful yards with gardens and lush landscapes; dogs, cats, fish, and all kinds of things. As we age, those things might become difficult to maintain and upkeep; like cooking meals, bathing, laundry, running errands, taking medicine, operating electronics and even once-easy tasks like using household appliances all become tougher and tougher.The first questions is not how to get into assisted living with no money. Rather, it is; Am I ready - or is my parent ready for assisted living?  Its Tough Making the Move to Assisted Living for you or your loved one, We Can Help!Legend Senior Living Associates have fielded many questions from loved ones about how to move a parent with dementia to assisted living.  Its necessary when things that your parents used to do are now impossible to do independently or when their quality of care decreases to the point where its dangerous and potentially life threatening for them to not have some sort of aid.More than 15 million Americans are currently devoting love, time and care to aging loved ones with Alzheimers and Dementia care needs and sometimes it can be difficult, expensive, and time consuming; thats why assisted living residences are there to give you a helping hand! Heres list of 12 symptoms and signs its time for assisted living:Aggression with dementia or Alzheimers is one of the first signs that its time to start considering placement in assisted living , simply to ensure the safety of everyone. A condition called Sundowning often causes aggression or agitation in the evening.When caregiving is causing Caregiver Stress or burnout these signs can be just as telling as other symptoms. This stress is often damaging to the emotional relationship between you and your loved ones.When you notice an increase in care needs, or escalating care (like helping get someone to the bathroom or helping support most/all a persons weight) that can put a caregiver at risk.Wandering (especially in later stages of dementia) is one of the leading risks of slip and fall hazards.Ensuring seniors are eating healthy, balanced meals, getting vitamins, and have a supply of fresh nutritious food in the refrigerator and pantry that isnt expired. Many aging adults and those with memory needs forget to remove old, expired, or spoiled food.Aging adults with memory care needs or other seniors taking medication dosage correctly and at the right time. Assisted living residences provide seniors medication management and medication problem avoidance. Medical staff at assisted living residences also know things like the safest NSAID (like ibuprofen) for seniors (over 65 years) as well as other medications.When you need medical care or supervision for your loved one in the case of an emergency. Assisted living residences are perfect when theres a risk of a potential health issue, slip and fall, or wandering as theres always staff available and medical help a few minutes away.To keep important financial tasks like paying bills on time, as well as opening and disposing of mail to prevent mail fraud or identity theft.To help seniors get around without hurting themselves. Senior drivers often exhibit physical and mental changes as they age; like slower response time, losses in clarity and vision, drowsiness due to medications, reduction of the ability to focus, or may even judge distances incorrectly and these mistakes can be deadly. Assisted living residences provide free transportation services and safety for everyone on the road.When your loved one struggles with dressing, changing clothing, or is unable to shower or groom themselves. Often, seniors that arent in assisted living homes can go days without showering or changing clothes.When your aging loved one isnt engaging in their favorite hobbies, talking and socializing, or going out and about.If your loved one is exhibiting depression, loneliness, isolation, or the inability to cook or clean without assistance. This goes along with being unable to do the things they once loved to do. Making a Transition to Assisted Living for Seniors Also Makes the Transition Smoother on YouWhile making the decision to move a senior into assisted living is a tough choice, making a transition now rather than later helps adjust and keeps your ageing loved ones safer. You can start the touring process with assisted living communities; finding friendly staff, comfortable features, activities and friendships for your loved ones, as well as a clean environment with a pleasant dining experience and peace of mind.Youll soon find that assisted living residences only require a small initial adjustment before theyre the best opportunity for socialization, dining, activities, personalized care and effective care action plans in place (leaving you in charge without physically doing it all yourself) which is a large burden off of your shoulders.

In a market where home prices have increased, and interest rates stifled buying power, downsizing appeals to those ready to ditch their mortgage and big spaces. An article on Business Insider cited the National Association of REALTORs, which stated that Baby Boomers were the leading sellers in the market. For seniors, downsizing may feel overwhelming. However, partnering with Senior Moves and the team of senior move managers simplifies the process and helps every client feel excited and empowered about their move to a new, smaller home. Table of Contents:What is Deliberate Downsizing?How We Help Downsize and DeclutterHow to Downsize Personal PossessionsTop Tips for DownsizingA Comprehensive Checklist for Seniors DownsizingShould I Downsize My Home?Synopsis:Many seniors downsize in retirement, moving to a smaller home with fewer responsibilities. Senior move managers help retirees and seniors as they work through downsizing. From helping seniors understand what items to keep to creating a checklist of possessions, professional senior move managers offer helping hands and a helpful and compassionate heart during the move.What is Deliberate Downsizing?When clients choose to downsize deliberately, they are ready and prepared to decrease their possessions to move to a smaller space. Clients who initiate deliberate downsizing want to live with less and are happy to sell or donate items they no longer want or need. Not every client is prepared for deliberate downsizing. For some, downsizing feels overwhelming. Helping seniors prepare to minimize possessions is a process. However, professional senior move managers help clients understand they can keep the items that mean the most to them. Downsizing efforts focus on uncovering items that are not cherished, special, or necessary.How We Help Downsize and DeclutterThe team at Senior Moves guides the downsizing process for clients. We work side-by-side with every client to help them understand what possessions bring them happiness (and must be kept), and we listen to them during this process.Conversations are so important for downsizing preparation. Every possession holds a memory, and distinguishing the items with the most powerful and impactful memories serves as a litmus test for helping seniors decide which items to move to their next home.During the downsizing dialogue, Senior Moves team members help seniors uncover items they are thrilled to discard. We all have possessions or items that weigh us down and take up space, yet discarding these items can be a task we would all rather avoid.Senior move managers discover all the items in a home that help seniors lighten their load. Once they learn that important items move on with them, sorting through other items with less emotional value feels a bit freeing.Senior Moves believes that possessions should never be tossed away without a conversation. There must be a method, a process, and, most importantly, a big heart when helping anyone downsize.As senior move managers and seniors sort through items, the process lends to natural decluttering. Old papers, broken items, outdated clothing, and other unwanted or unnecessary items should be sorted into piles for donating to charities, recycling, or for the weekly trash pickup. Feel the Love: How to Downsize Personal PossessionsSenior Moves recommends that any individual preparing to downsize should start thinking about the items they own with a heart scale. Think of how much love or joy the item brings; the emotional pull could be tied to a garment that looks amazing or a card that holds significant joy. Use our Heart Chart to help understand how to rank the emotional value of items:Heart RatingMeaningFive hearts denote absolute joy or love towards an item. These are the items you cannot live without and cannot imagine losing. Examples include photos, precious notes/cards, favorite clothing, family mementos, etc.Four hearts distinguish really loved items. While you could live without them, they still hold deep meaning. Examples of four heart Items could include favorite books, special knick knacks, etc.Three heart items are those that you would rather keep, but if you didnt have room for them, it wouldnt be the end of the world. Think of this heart rating as a neutral feeling. You dont dislike the item, but you definitely dont love it. These items might be donated or tossed.One heart feels the least love. If the emotion for the item is this low, move on from it. Senior Moves Top Tips for DownsizingSeniors should not try to downsize on their own. A houseful of possessions requires helping hands. When we help seniors downsize, we follow a few guidelines. Here are five tips for downsizing the Senior Moves way: Never try to sort items in one day. Downsizing is a slow process. We always allow seniors time to process emotions and think through each item.Have a professional help schedule donations. Senior Moves manages donations for all clients. In addition, think of charities where you wish to donate unwanted items. What you dont love could be the five-heart item in someones life! Spread the love!Understand that extra trash pickups may be necessary. Senior Moves helps clients work with waste management companies to schedule pick up for bulk items.Remember to recycle. Dont just throw items in the trash. Consider recycling items that can take on another life through sustainability. Senior Moves also helps clients sort recyclable items.Consider giving some items to family members. Some seniors pass on furniture or other items to their children or grandchildren. This is a great solution for saving loved items that would not fit in a new and smaller space.A Comprehensive Checklist for Seniors DownsizingSenior Moves strives to be certain that no item goes uncheckedliterally! Our senior move team uses a comprehensive checklist to track items during downsizing. Not only does this help us understand where items are located once they are packed, but we also can help seniors track donated or discarded items.Our tracking system helps our clients know every item's location (and destination). Nothing is misplaced, lost, or wrongly donated (or discarded).Should I Downsize My Home?Not every senior is ready to downsize, but some clients simply cannot wait to make the move to a smaller home. As Kiplinger reported, others upgrade to a larger space; about one out of every three seniors go bigger in retirement.For those ready to downsize or thinking about moving into a smaller home, contact Senior Moves to inquire about our downsizing services. Our senior move managers guide you through downsizing, helping you ease into a move. Reach out today for a consultation.