Photo from Unsplash

Originally Posted On: https://teamkleiner.com/quick-guide-to-downsizing-for-seniors/

As we age, most older adults will consider the option of downsizing or moving to a smaller space. It is estimated that over half of retirees in Canada ages 50 and over move into smaller homes after retirement. If you’re a senior or someone helping seniors move to a smaller home or to a senior care centre, use this guide to make the process smoother.

Why Should You Downsize?

With the volatility of today’s housing market in Canada’s most in-demand cities, the idea of selling your home and finding another may seem overwhelming. However, there are plenty of benefits, especially if you are a savvy baby boomer planning your retirement.

At the end of the day, the reason for downsizing a senior’s home may vary among families. Some of the most common reasons for senior downsizing include:

• Maintenance. As individuals age, keeping up with everyday chores and household tasks can be difficult. Even if a senior has a spouse, partner, or family nearby, they may still want help with gardening, minor home repairs, meal deliveries, and housekeeping.
• Cost of living. Cutting housing costs is a quick way to save money and increase retirement savings. The smaller the space, the less you’ll have to spend on expenses like heating and electricity.
• Health Issues. For those with reduced mobility, physical abilities, vision, hearing impairments, and other medical needs, senior living communities can offer the services and amenities that the elderly population needs.

When Should Seniors Downsize?

Ultimately, there’s no perfect time to begin the senior downsizing process. Retirement is typically one of the most common times people start the downsizing process, but health concerns or other life events may also serve as a catalyst.

In any case, keeping the lines of communication open and having a clear goal is crucial when beginning the senior downsizing process. That way, you will better handle overwhelming emotions by not springing the change on your loved one at the last minute. Give the entire family time to process what is about to happen and let them have space to adjust to the change.

Decluttering: The Delicate Part of Downsizing

Once the decision to downsize has been taken, comes the inevitable need to declutter and downsize a life’s worth of belongings, which is no easy feat. And if the need to downsize comes up unexpectedly due to health matters, a death in the family, or other concerns, the task’s weight can be even more challenging to process.

Additionally, as people age, they often find themselves in an unnecessarily large home. A house with three spare bedrooms, a media room and a den can be nice, but most seniors do not need that much space.

At first glance, moving to a smaller home should be simple, but many seniors find the decluttering aspect overwhelming. Sometimes emotional drainage can be avoided by hiring outside help to handle the heavy lifting. Luckily, if you live in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley or Vancouver Island, you can find real-estate professionals such as Team Kleiner that offer one-on-one all-inclusive experience to assist you during the whole process.

Offering a complete and all-inclusive package, the dynamic husband and wife duo and their highly professional and caring team are committed to guiding you every step of the way, from selling your current home to finding the perfect new residence, as well as assisting with packing, moving, and storage solutions.

Final Thoughts on Downsizing for Seniors

Downsizing and decluttering can make life easier and safer, but it’s often a stressful and emotional experience, especially if you’ve lived in one place for a while. It is therefore important to keep a positive attitude about the experience and create exciting plans for yourself after the move. That way, downsizing can also be a freeing experience that can save you time and help you let go of stress when considering upkeep for your new space.

If you do feel stressed and overwhelmed by the whole moving process, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Hiring help from professionals that care to help you one step further such as Team Kleiner is a great move that can reduce your overall stress levels and make the transition easier.

Lastly, plan out your downsize and start as quickly as possible to reduce anxiety and bring as much joy as you can into the process.