For many seniors and their family members, the New Year brings plans for new living situations. Adult children who live far away and visit over the holidays realize their elderly parents are struggling with the upkeep of their home, or show signs of increased memory or physical issues. Those who live nearby suddenly see the incremental changes over time through the sharper lens of “last year vs. this year.” Celebrating and reminiscing flex to make room for discussions of downsizing and moving.
Five Tips from Relocation Services in Denver to Reduce Senior Stress
Downsizing to move aging parents can be a difficult and emotionally charged situation. According to advice from the AARP on making your elderly relative’s move more manageable, “The more stressful the move, the harder it will be for your loved one to adapt to the change.” How can you help reduce the stress of the senior relocation experience? The more proactive you can make the process, the better it will be for everyone involved, especially your seniors. As senior relocation specialists in Denver, Lifestyle Management of Colorado offers the following tips to make downsizing easier:
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Chunk It Out
Work in short blocks of time over the course of a few months rather than waiting until the week before the house goes on the market. You may be able to make it through all-day marathon sessions, but your senior will be less tired and more able to focus productively on the task at hand with short shifts spaced out over time.
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Be Ready for Emotional Detours
While you may be prepared for trips down memory lane when sorting keepsakes and memorabilia, other items may bring up nostalgic memories as well. Books, vases or floor rugs may have a sentimental shopping story your elderly relative needs to share! Listen, and help them through emotions that may surface.
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Sort Items by Category
Keep, share, sell, donate and toss. “Keep” items are those that will move with your senior to their new home. “Share” items are gifted to interested relatives or friends. Many additional items will need to be sold at garage or estate sales, or donated to charitable organizations. And finally, some items may be destined for the trash.
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Don’t Rush the Process
The accumulation of your senior’s belongings took many, many years. Spending time to help them detach and pare down is not only beneficial for their well-being, but also prevents valuable items from being mistakenly discarded. In September 2017, a brooch that sold for $8 at a garage sale went for $26,000 at a New York jewelry auction!
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Hire a Senior Relocation Specialist
When the demands of downsizing are more than you can add to your own busy life, or the assistance of a neutral party may be beneficial, hiring a senior move professional can streamline the process.
Senior Relocation Professionals Ease the Burden for the Elderly and Their Families
For many families, helping senior relatives downsize and prepare to move to a new living situation is more of a challenge than they can undertake. When adult children live out of state, spreading the tasks of downsizing over several weeks or months may be impossible. Even relatives who live locally may find it difficult to add weekly sorting sessions with their senior loved ones to their already packed schedules and caregiving duties.
Downsizing and move management services from a Denver senior relocation professional can help ease the burden on families and seniors alike. At Lifestyle Management of Colorado, we will tailor a downsizing and moving plan to fit the needs of your family. Contact us today for more information!
