How To Downsize an Aging Parent’s Home?

Moving is an emotional life event, whether it’s cross town or cross country, whether to a small apartment or a large home, dealing with the organization, packing, discarding, cleaning, paperwork and the other tasks poses a big challenge. For your elders, who are moving to assisted living home, downsizing their years old “treasure” is overwhelming-even paralyzing. They want to go with everything, whether it’s a watch of their 30's or the book their father presented. The treasure of their memories may feel to you nothing but a junk, but you must respect and help your elders in downsizing their possessions. Leaving behind family possessions is quite painful as they are pretty much attached to it. It feel like they are leaving their wonderful memories behind which evoke their nostalgia.

But still you must not be taken away by seeing such a strong bond of your elders. Instead, you must convince them and make downsizing less stressful for them.

Tips To Downsize an Aging Parent’s Home?

 

Talk to Your Elders about That:

We know that it is quite stressful for you to talk over downsizing. But this is essential to break the ice over that. Tell them that this chair is worn out and will eat up more space or there is no use of leather bag. Suggest them to donate these things in charity, may be they would give their node over donating the things for a cause.

Encourage Your Elders to Use the Things That Can Be Used:

What seems old and useless to you may be a source of great comfort and joy and therefore worth moving. Pack those things that can be used by your elders at living home. Make sure to tell them that you pack only necessary things. They may be insisting to bring “junk” with them, but you must explain that the thing is worn out.

Seek The Professional Help:

If you have sour relationship with parents regarding downsizing, or they are still adamant that they don’t give up their “treasure”, it’s a time to call a professional to sort out the matter. You can call National Association of Senior Move Managers. Your stubborn parent would cooperate better with someone out of your family. Even a professional can handle the downsizing task better in your absence but they are expected to remain gentle with your parent.

Sell The Stuff:

If your elders agree to give up the treasure, what will you do with that after they move to the assisted living home? Instead of approaching junk dealer, you can sell it on eBay or Craig-list as you can earn good money on selling antiques like old watch, pen and coins. After selling those items, you can purchase a beautiful gift for your elder to soothe their “separation” pain.

So, these are the tips to downsize the possessions of your beloved elders.

Remember, the stress of giving up their belongings will go away after some time. Don’t worry about that. Give them your care and love which is more important than anything else to them.