COLLIERVILLE: 901-854-6590

BARTLETT: 901-266-3329

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Downsizing Tips for Seniors

There’s nothing quite like clearing the clutter and starting over with a clean slate. A big move can be the perfect opportunity to clean out that storage space or closet you’ve been avoiding. These downsizing tips for seniors will help you get started.

Downsizing Tips for Seniors

Most of us have heard the term downsizing before and know it refers to determining which of your possessions will come with you to a new living space. But did you know that some people call downsizing “right-sizing,” especially when moving into a supportive senior living community? The fact is that most of us have a lot of clutter in our lives, and a lot of objects we don’t want or need that end up hanging out in storage spaces out of habit. Moving to a senior living community can allow you to finally sort through your belongings and determine what’s bringing value to your life. Embrace the “right-sizing” process with these downsizing tips for seniors.

Get to Know Your New Home First

Before you start downsizing your belongings, you need to know what kind of living space you’ll be working with. After all, you don’t want to accidentally get rid of something you need or bring unwanted clutter. So visit your new community, and be sure to scope out the living spaces to do some planning. You can also request layout maps for different apartments and other information to help you plan your move. Online resources like senior community move-in lists can also be helpful.

Sketch Out Your New Space

Once you know your new space, it’s time to start planning how you’ll fill it. You can make lists of items or even draw a blueprint of their new space. You can measure your existing furniture and other things to see how they will fit and identify areas that can be used for additional storage if needed.

Start with the Easy Stuff

Once you know the space you’ll be moving into, it’s time to start sorting. You can make the process easier by doing an initial sort to eliminate things you’re sure you won’t need. Clothes you no longer wear, broken items you plan on fixing “someday,” and kitchen appliances you don’t use should be first to go. In general, if you don’t use something regularly or have a sentimental attachment to it, it’s a good idea to get rid of it. If things are in good shape, consider donating them to people who can use them.

Make a Plan for What’s Left

Once you’ve gotten rid of the easy stuff, it’s time to figure out how to keep the things you need. However, it’s important to remember that there’s a difference between hanging on to something out of sentimentality and keeping something in your living space that you’ll use. Instead of trying to hang on to all of it yourself, work with friends and family to “re-home” anything you’re attached to but can’t necessarily keep in your new space. For example, you may not have room for boxes of old photos, but a relative might be happy to keep them for you. And if you genuinely need them back, they’re only a phone call away.

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Don’t let anxieties about downsizing stop you from embracing the new home you deserve. Follow these downsizing tips for seniors, and you’ll be ready for what’s next!

Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? Check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville and Bartlett. Our warm and inviting communities make it easy for seniors to embrace a healthy lifestyle, with home-cooked and restaurant-style meals, exercise classes, and a nurse devoted to residents’ health and wellness. We would be happy to schedule a tour for you so that you can explore the community, speak with the Community Director, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. To learn more about our amenities and services, please call 901-266-3329 (Bartlett) or 901-854-6590 (Collierville). We look forward to meeting you!

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