Whether you are the wife or husband of someone who will be downsizing to assisted living, or you are an adult child helping a parent, you can play a significant role in making the transition a smooth one.

Feelings and emotions will most likely arise as you go through the process. That’s okay, considering that downsizing to assisted living represents a major change in family dynamics. But it also can open the door to new possibilities for lifelong wellness for your loved one and peace of mind for you and your family.

Taking the time to listen, developing a plan, and remembering what really makes a home is important.

As an adult child: Be a source of comfort. You’ll want to support your parent as they face this change in their relationship. It’s likely your mom or dad will have some guilt and anxiety about their life partner moving out of the home. By listening and being present, you can relieve some of the worry and be a shoulder to lean on—as well as offer some practical advice on downsizing to assisted living that will ease the move for everyone involved.

As a spouse: Reassure your spouse often that you will still be their husband or wife and very much part of their life. Let them express any fears or worries about downsizing to assisted living and listen closely. Remember, you are helping them create a new lifestyle designed for their safety and wellbeing, and you want it to feel like home. Your actions will speak louder than words, so be sure to spend extra time with them the first few days they are in their new home and then be a regular visitor for meals, activities, and events.

Downsizing to assisted living: 6 tips for spouses and adult children

1. Take it slow. Once a decision has been made to move to assisted living, don’t get in a hurry to downsize in a day. Have some conversations with the person who will be moving about how nice it will be to live with less to worry about. Frame it all as a new beginning, a fresh start for a lifestyle filled with possibilities that is not weighed down by the baggage of the past.

2. Have a plan. It doesn’t have to be rigid, just a way to start the process with small goals you can accomplish together each day. Involve your parent or spouse in the strategy. A room at a time? One closet a day? Maybe start in a garage or storage area where there’s more likely to be items that haven’t been used in years. Invite grandchildren to come by and help sort objects, and keep the mood upbeat. Don’t keep going if your loved one becomes tired or seems to be upset about the process. Tomorrow is another day.

3. Help your loved one with sorting. Invite friends and family over so your loved one can feel comfortable sharing memories and stories when downsizing to assisted living. Again, don't expect to do it all in one day. Start with three piles: one for the things that mean the most, one for things that your loved one is ready to part with, and one is a “maybe” pile. Don’t worry about what’s in each pile yet. Just see it as an exercise in the early stages of letting go. Encourage family members to speak up if there’s something they’d like to have.

4. Identify favorite items. Is it an easy chair? A quilt that’s been in the family for years? Maybe there’s a special bookshelf that someone carved, or a bedside table that has special memories tied to it. Reassure your loved one they can take it with them (after checking dimensions and floor space of new residence). If there are collections they must part with, take photographs so they can enjoy viewing them later. Perhaps a family member could temporarily keep the items. Remind your spouse it’s not so much the item, but the happiness they feel when they see it (even if it’s a photograph), that matters most.

5. Encourage them to donate. It might be difficult for Mom to give away her best china, even after the grandchildren have said they aren’t interested. “Throwing it away” is not a pleasant thought when downsizing to assisted living. But instead, consider giving the china or treasured item to someone who otherwise might never have anything so nice. Your loved one might find pleasure in donating items to a charity, church or other organization. Heirlooms, fishing tackle, power tools, sewing machines and more—what brought your older adult joy once could do the same for someone new.

6. Build excitement about the new home. Take breaks during the process and spend some time in the assisted living community where your spouse or parent will reside. Have lunch there. Talk with staff and caregivers so your loved one can become familiar with them. Drop in on an activity or event. Get a feel for everyday life. Be sure to get a copy of the floor plan of the new apartment and note wall space, window dimensions, and so on. This will help you decide in advance how your spouse or parent would like the room arranged.

At Clearwater Living®, we are committed to providing an exceptional assisted living experience for our residents, and peace of mind for their families. Our ongoing communication, collaboration, and transparency assures you that your loved one is well cared for, respected, and, perhaps most importantly, happy. Contact us to learn more.

Moving to a senior living community can be the start of an exciting new chapter in life. It offers a maintenance-free lifestyle that gives residents freedom and flexibility to engage in favorite old hobbies and pursue new ones. You’ll have opportunities to participate in arts and crafts programs, a variety of fitness classes, and so much more. Residents also have plenty of chances to socialize informally with friends and neighbors.

We know the process of preparing for the move can be a little daunting. For seniors who have lived in their home for many years, it may be tough to figure out where and how to get started. Don’t let those concerns deter you from making a move that has so many advantages. Use the following tips for relocating to a senior living community to plan your move.

5 Tips for Making a Smooth Transition

1. Set realistic goals for downsizing

For most seniors, this type of relocation means moving from a larger space to a smaller one. The longer you’ve lived in your home, the more challenging this part of the move can be. Deciding what to keep, what to sell, and what to donate takes time and patience. If possible, give yourself ample time to clean out the house and prepare for this move.

Relocation experts often suggest starting in rooms of the house that are used the least. Pack and label boxes according to their final destination, such as charitable donations, gifts for family members, and belongings you will be taking with you.

If you are struggling to manage this process, as many families do, it might help to enlist the services of a professional. Senior move managers have experience assisting older adults and their adult children with every detail of relocation. They can create a moving plan that includes everything from which moving company to hire to how to arrange for unneeded furniture to be donated to charity.

To learn more, read How Senior Move Managers Make Transitioning from Your Home Easier.

2. Think about what you will really need

Depending on what type of apartment or suite you are moving to, there might be many items you just won’t need any longer. For example, if you’ve always welcomed the Christmas holidays with several festive trees, space might limit you to just one now. Or if housekeeping services are included, do you need a large vacuum and a handheld one? One or the other might suffice.

If you aren’t sure what you will and won’t need, talk with the team members at the community for advice. They can help you figure out which items to bring and those you can safely rehome. Remember, storage will likely be more limited. Keeping your apartment free from clutter means planning wisely.

3. Create a floor plan for the new space

Another helpful tip is to ask the senior living community for a copy of the floor plan of your new apartment or suite. Make sure it includes dimensions and locations of windows and doorways. Once you’ve narrowed down which furniture you would like to take with you, measure each piece.

Then you can create a plan for where all the furniture, lamps, and even wall art will go. This approach will make moving day much easier to manage. It will also help you identify if you have to scale back on the items you bring. If you or an adult child is tech savvy, you can take advantage of free versions of room design sites, such as Floorplanner or 3Dream, to plot your new home.

4. Make it feel like home

Leaving your home and moving to a senior living community can be exciting! But it’s also a big change. There will likely be bumps along the way. You might find yourself feeling homesick as you settle in. That’s okay and should be expected. One tip to make the transition a little easier is to fill your new place with your favorite old belongings. A comfy chair, a throw you’ve always used, and family photos are a few suggestions.

It may be tempting to swap old furniture for new or to purchase all new bedding and linens. Try to hold off on doing so, at least until you feel more at home. Being surrounded by things that look and feel familiar might help you settle in more quickly.

5. Fill the apartment with light

If your apartment doesn’t get as much natural light as you are accustomed to, supplement it with your own. That may help keep you feeling positive as you are adjusting to your new home. Place tabletop and floor lamps around the rooms. Just be mindful of the cords so they don’t present a fall risk.

Mirrors are also good for reflecting light and making a space appear bigger. Place them strategically in darker locations or places where you want to reflect natural light back into the room.

Plants can brighten up a home too. Opt for low-maintenance greenery, such as pothos, jade plants, and peace lilies.

Plan Ahead for Moving Day

One final suggestion for making the transition less stressful is to create a solid plan for the day of the move. Where will you spend the day? Do you need to be present as the movers are working or can someone else handle that for you? It might be tough to watch your home being packed up into a moving van.

It’s also a good idea to pack a box or suitcase of essentials that you will take in your car instead of sending it with the movers. Items that should go in your moving-day box include:

• Pajamas, robe, and slippers
• Several full outfits of clothing
• Personal care necessities
• Medication and any needed medical supplies
• Important papers and insurance cards
• Coffee pot, filters, and coffee
• Toilet paper, facial tissue, and paper towels
• Snacks and bottled water
• Basic cleaning supplies
• Tape, scissors, and garbage bags

Consider a Clearwater Living Community

At Clearwater Living communities, we are committed to helping residents make a smooth transition. Our team members can help you plan your move, or we can assist you with finding an experienced, local senior move manager.

As you search for a community that best meets your needs, we invite you to visit and learn what makes Clearwater Living an industry leader and a favorite with residents and families alike!

Retirement is the start of a new chapter in life and an opportunity to enjoy living on your own terms. It’s common for older adults to seek to simplify their lives so they can focus on the people and activities that mean the most to them. One topic that often comes up during this time of transition is downsizing.

Some experts on aging refer to this process as rightsizing because it aligns your goals with your needs. Do you really need a big house now? Would you be better served by downsizing and freeing yourself from the burdens of keeping up a home?

The process of downsizing frequently starts with decluttering. If you are considering moving to a smaller home or a senior living community in the months or years ahead, getting rid of unused items now can make a future move easier.

Benefits of Decluttering

Even before organizing expert Marie Kondo gained international attention last year with her quest to tidy up our households, mental health experts were lauding the benefits of decluttering. Whether or not it is done in preparation for a move, decluttering is energizing and uplifting.

The benefits of decluttering your home during retirement include:

• Lower fall risk: Falls and the injuries that can result from them pose a serious risk for older adults. In fact, they are the leading cause of disability for seniors. Getting rid of stacks of old magazines, outdated clothing, excess furniture, and general clutter can make it easier to safely navigate your home. It also frees up space so you can store the items you use most often in easy-to-reach places.
• Improve mental health: When your home is full of belongings you don’t really need, it can leave you feeling stressed and anxious. People might not even realize how much the excess clutter is dragging them down. When your home is tidy and clean, you’ll likely feel calmer and in better spirits.
• Reduce allergens: Clutter causes allergens like mold and dust mites to accumulate in the home. That decreases air quality and can even contribute to health problems, such as asthma and other respiratory conditions. By decluttering, you reduce allergens.

Here are a few steps you can take to tackle the clutter around your home or a senior loved one’s.

4 Steps to Decluttering Your Home

1. Start with the easy stuff

Most of us have things we can get rid of easily in each room. Grab a trash bag or box and pack those items up. Making a quick sweep of rooms can give you the push you need to get started. Have one box for items to recycle and another for those you want to donate or give away. Dispose of everything else.

2. Conduct a paper purge

Another easy task that can help rid your home of clutter is to purge paper. People accumulate a shocking amount of it. The longer you’ve lived in your home, the worse it probably is. Old catalogs, outdated receipts, and past utility statements are a common sight in many houses. Shred or dispose of those you won’t need again.

Junk mail is another constant battle for many households. Unless you are vigilant, it can easily pile up. To lower the amount you receive, sign up for the National Do Not Mail List. You can also email catalog companies directly and ask to be unsubscribed from their mailing lists.

3. Clear out the closets

Closets can harbor possessions you haven’t laid eyes on in years. Linen closets and master bedroom closets are often the worst. Apply the 12-month rule to every item in your closets. That is, if you haven’t worn or used something in the last year, you likely don’t need it.

Box up clothing, linens, and accessories you haven’t used and make frequent trips to donation sites. (Just be sure to call ahead as some charitable organizations are limiting donations due to COVID-19 concerns.) Don’t put off making these drop-offs. Doing so might result in items working their way back into a closet or drawer.

4. Downsize holiday décor

Whether it is patriotic décor or Christmas ornaments, holiday decorations accumulate. Many of us periodically buy new decorations and leave the old ones boxed up in the basement or in a storage closet. Go through every box and be realistic about what you will use and what you won’t. Donate the latter. Veterans centers, nonprofit preschools, and domestic violence shelters are a few places that might appreciate receiving these items.

Downsize to the Rightsized Housing

If you feel overwhelmed at the very idea of downsizing, know that you aren’t alone. In fact, seniors and their adult children often cite it as a reason for delaying a move they’d really like to make.

Fortunately, senior move managers are experienced professionals who can assist older adults with every step of a move. Visit How Senior Move Managers Make Transitioning from Your Home Easier to learn more. You can also call a Clearwater Living community near you for a list of local senior move managers.

The prospect of downsizing and moving to a smaller home or to a senior living community can be daunting. So much so that older adults often put off a move they’d really like to make. Cleaning out the attic and packing up the shed. Figuring out which belongings to keep and which ones to donate. Asking who might be interested in family heirlooms. All of this might feel overwhelming.

One solution to consider is hiring a senior move manager.

Many people are unfamiliar with this group of professionals who are experienced at managing all of the details of downsizing and relocating. From supervising the movers to cleaning out the basement, they can make the transition go more smoothly.

What Tasks Can Senior Move Managers Handle?

Move managers work with families one-on-one to accomplish the many tasks associated with moving. Here are a few of the most common:

• Cleaning out closets, attics, basements, and cupboards
• Creating a floor plan to determine what will fit at the new home
• Arranging for estate sales, online auctions, or garage sales
• Interviewing and hiring moving companies
• Coordinating moving day details with senior living community staff
• Hiring a cleaning service after the move is completed
• Working with realtors and staging professionals to prepare home for sale
• Unpacking boxes at the senior living community and setting up the new apartment

While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it is a good sampling of how a senior move manager can make this process easier on the older adult and their family.

If this sounds like a helpful solution for you, the next step is to locate and interview potential candidates. Here are a few tips for making that experience a little easier.

How to Find a Senior Move Manager

The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) maintains a database of members on its website. These are certified professionals who have completed training on a variety of topics, including ethics, liability, safety, and the moving industry.

NASMM also screens each member to make certain they are insured. That’s essential for giving seniors and their loved one’s peace of mind.

What to Ask Senior Move Manager Candidates

As is the case when you are hiring a contractor of any type, knowing what to ask is vital. Here are a few questions to help you find an experienced senior move manager you feel confident about:

• How long have you been a senior move manager?
• How many older adults have you assisted with a move?
• Are you bonded and insured for theft and damage?
• Do you have employees who work for you or are they subcontractors?
• Do you maintain workers' compensation for your employees?
• Do you have partnerships in place with other professionals, such as moving companies and realtors?
• How do you charge for your services? Hourly or by the job?
• What form of payment is accepted?
• Will a deposit be required up-front? Is it refundable if something unexpected happens?
• Do you provide a written contract that explains pricing and services?
• Can you share 3 to 5 references of past clients who are willing to answer questions?

Explore Our Moving and Downsizing Resources

If you are considering downsizing and moving to a smaller home or a senior living community, we encourage you to download our free checklist for selling your home. It will help make your transition easier with advice from real estate experts!

Our independent living community in Oxnard, CA, Clearwater at Riverpark, will be hosting a Lunch & Learn on moving and downsizing on January 23^rd, 2020 at 10:30am. If you are in the area, join us for this informative and fun seminar where experts will provide tips on how to simplify the downsizing process. RSVP to 805-366-3446 or RiverparkMarketing@ClearwaterLiving.com today!