Many times, older adults find themselves living in houses that are too large for them to manage or needing to move in with family caregivers who can help them. In today’s world, that’s called “downsizing.” It means moving from a larger home to a smaller one. Of course, when the space your aging relative lives in gets smaller it means they will have less room for belongings. That can mean having to get rid of some things, which isn’t always easy. It’s hard enough for older adults to give up the home they love let alone some of their treasured possessions. All in all, it can be quite a hassle for caregivers involved in the process. Here are 4 tips to make downsizing a little easier.
#1: Make a Plan
Before you begin the process of downsizing, sit down with your aging relative and make a plan. Talk about the kinds of things they can and should keep. Remind them that their space will be limited, so they will have to make some difficult decisions. If you’re on a timeline, it can help to write a to-do list that keeps you on track. Write down all of the areas of the house and the order you plan to pack them in. Start with the least used rooms. Caregivers may need to assign dates to the process to ensure everything is completed on time.
#2: Separate Items
Go through everything in each room. Separate them into “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “trash” piles. Try to only touch everything once since it will make the process faster. Pack the “keep” pile in boxes to move immediately. Throw away everything in the trash pile. Then, package up the donate items and place them in one area of the house so that all donations can be taken away at once.
#3: Keep the Favorites
If your aging relative is a collector, they may be unable to take an entire collection with them. Suggest that they pick a few of their favorites and donate or sell the rest. Or, if a family member is interested in the collection, it can help to know that it has been passed to someone else who loves it.
#4: Digitize Photos
Photos and photo albums can take up a lot of space. However, you don’t really want to lose those old memories. Instead of moving boxes full of pictures and albums, consider converting all of them to digital form and discarding the hard copies.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Caregivers in Lubbock, TX, please contact the caring staff at Best In-Home Care (806) 412-0723.
Sources
https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/interior-remodel/6-tips-for-downsizing
https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/advice/a3173/never-throw-out-when-downsizing/