Leaving your family home and moving to a senior living community can be a difficult and emotional decision. You’re leaving cherished memories and taking a leap into uncharted waters. Whether it was your decision or your family’s, it’s going to be challenging to let go of the past and look to the future. Even if you’re looking forward to the change, you still face the task of downsizing. Where do you start? Most senior living communities post floor plans of their independent apartments and villas on their websites. Print a copy to use as a roadmap. You can also check with the senior living community to see if they have a move-in coordinator or offer any services to help new residents relocate.
The secrets to successful downsizing are to make a plan and approach the task step by step.
Here is an example of a downsizing plan.
Six months
Six months before moving is a reasonable timeline to start downsizing without feeling stressed or rushed.
Start small
As the saying goes, “eat an elephant one bite at a time.” The same can be applied to downsizing. Pick one area, even a linen closet, and start. Once you gain momentum, you’ll be motivated to tackle larger spaces.
Sort
Create three piles — keep, trash, and donate. If you have items of value, you can create a fourth “sell” pile. (If you’re so inclined, you can plan an estate or garage sale for a later date.) This is a good time to ask family or friends for help. If you’re on the fence about the status of an item, an objective opinion can help. If your new senior apartment has a small kitchen, you don’t need multiple roasting pans. If you haven’t lost the weight to wear those 10-year-old jeans, you probably never will. If you aren’t planning to have an estate or garage sale, check with local charities or church groups. Often, they will come to your home to pick up furniture and appliances that you don’t plan to take with you. They will resell or donate them.
Collect moving supplies
Collect boxes and purchase more if needed. You’ll also need packing tape, an electric screwdriver or drill, labels and markers for boxes, foam wrap, newspaper, and other packing materials for delicate items, photos, dishes, glasses, etc. Labeling each box with its room destination in your new apartment will make it easy for movers — and you — when it comes time to unpack.
Research moving companies
Get bids from different companies. You can also ask the move-in coordinator at the senior living community for recommendations.
Change of address. Inform the post office, utility companies, credit card companies, and magazine subscriptions of your new address. You can accomplish most, if not all, of this online.
Prepare “day-of” boxes and an overnight bag
These will include essentials you’ll need for your first night and the day after you move in. Include medications, pet supplies (if you have a pet), clothes, box cutters, your electric screwdriver or drill, toiletries, linens, supplies, and appliances you’ll need, like your coffee maker and microwave. As you’re decluttering and packing, you can keep a running list of essentials.
Pre-move
If the senior living community will allow it, see if you can pre-move. You can transfer kitchen items, linens, cleaning supplies, plants, clothing, coats, and any other items that you don’t want to load into a moving truck. If you need any services, such as cable or fiber-optic installation updates at your new place, this is a good time to schedule them.
Moving day
While you may think “the more the merrier,” the opposite is true. Recruit a couple of friends to move smaller or fragile items. Otherwise, let the moving company literally “handle the heavy lifting.” They know what they are doing, and having a crowd underfoot only impedes their progress. If you have a pet, it’s a good idea to board it for a few days. It will be safe, and you’ll have peace of mind that it won’t escape.
Arrival
Once everything is moved, you can settle into your new home. Unpacking isn’t fun, but once you get started, you’ll get in the flow. Soon, your new place will feel like home, and you can get into the rhythm of your new community. Embrace it.
Moving to a Kingsbury Community
At Kingsbury, we treat all residents like royalty and will do whatever you need to help you get acclimated. Our properties are built by Ohioans for Ohioans, and we truly are “the heart of it all.” Once you are settled into one of our independent living communities, we invite you to take advantage of our first-class amenities and get to know our personable, helpful staff. We welcome you to our community, and we’ll do whatever you need to make you feel at home. Come on in! Schedule a visit today!