Search for a Moving Company with the Best Reputation
How to Help Senior Citizens when they need to Downsize their Home
It can be very difficult for senior citizens, retirees, or the elderly to move out of their beloved home. As a child of one of those older adults, you may not know how to help them downsize their home. We hope you will find these tips helpful when moving older adults.
1. Use a floor plan to plan the new space.
If you know the exact dimensions of the new space before the move, it will be easier to determine how much room there is for furniture and possessions. From there, you can decide what to get rid of.
2. Take photos of their old home.
Use these as a reference during the move to layout their new place like their old house, so they feel more at home.
3. Talk to them.
Ask your parents what you can do to help and let them know how the move will go. You can get them started with small tasks to take on early, like emptying drawers.
4. Plan their move.
Make a schedule that will ensure they have time to adjust. At Leaders Moving & Storage we recommend getting a moving quote at least 6 weeks in advance. You should also start decluttering and removing items at least a month ahead of the move. Schedule your move at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. You don’t want to rush the move in any way.
5. Help sort through items.
Your parents may need help removing unused items. Offer to take sentimental items, ask to sell other items online, or research donation places. Anything you can do to reduce the load will be appreciated.
6. Start with the least sentimental items first.
Seniors and older adults have a lot of memories to sort through. Starting with items they haven’t used in a long time will help them get through the process of downsizing easier.
7. Hire professionals to help pack.
It might be easier for seniors to sort and pack with people they don’t know personally. Leaders Moving works with senior citizens all the time. Our Master Movers will treat every item like their own. We can pack the whole house, or only part of it.
8. Be understanding and patient.
This is a big step for older adults who may have lived in their home for decades. Allow them the time to reminisce and tell stories. You might have some laughs along the way.
9. Help them pack an essentials box or suitcase.
The last thing your parents need is struggling to find what they need on the first day in their new home. Pack an essentials box with things like outfits, dishes, towels, sheets, toothbrushes, and anything your parents need.
10. Prepare them for move day.
A professional mover should let them know what to expect when they arrive. They should have gas and water lines disconnected by proper authorities ahead of time. All the boxes should be packed and taped. Beyond that, ask if you can take their pets or help drive them.
Call the Moving Experts
Leaders Moving & Storage has been helping seniors downsize to a new home for 20 years. We can help with all their moving needs and can offer short-term and long-term storage for any items they can’t get rid of. Call or get an online quote today.
We’re sponsoring an event for senior citizens about downsizing. Downsize Columbus will be holding the event Friday, April 24, 2015th at the Dublin Community Center. You can get advice from experts about real estate, auctioning your items, and staging your home. And of course, visit us to find out how we can help with your move. Find out more about the event at http://www.downsizecolumbus.com/. We hope to see you there!
photo credit: Jasmine Villa via photopin (license)
About the author
LEADERS Moving & Storage was founded in 1994 in Ohio with a pickup truck and a handshake. Since then, we’ve become one of the largest moving companies in the Midwest and have set the standard for others to follow.
Related posts
