Downsizing 101: Helping the Elderly Sort Their Belongings

Downsizing can be tough for anyone to do. It can be a stressful or emotional process. Many possessions can hold sentimental value of some sort, which is why it can be especially hard for seniors to downsize.

However, as people age, its common to move to a smaller home or relocate to a retirement community. In fact, according to a survey conducted by TD Ameritrade, 42 percent of Americans plan to downsize in retirement. Despite this commonality, elderly loved ones may feel overwhelmed or hesitant when it comes to executing on downsizing.

Here are some tips to help elderly loved ones get through the process while minimizing stress:

Tip 1: Talk about downsizing

Before any action takes place its best to talk about the process of downsizing first. It's important to take into context the history of this matter. Did they bring up the idea of making a change and downsizing on their own? Or is this necessary due to relocating for health or medical reasons?

Try having a casual conversation about their future, suggest making goals and plans to begin the process.

Tip 2: Start small

Begin by getting rid of items with no sentimental value first, like old newspapers, clothing that they no longer wear or expired medications. It can also help to begin by sorting through items in smaller rooms. Save areas like basements and attics for last — those rooms tend to be the most difficult to go through.

Tip 3: Consider the layout of their new home

If your loved one is moving from a three bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment, it's important to take into account that you'll need to eliminate at least two rooms worth of items. A good example of this may be if they have an office space in their current home, it's likely most items within that space will need to be sold, donated or thrown away if they're moving to an apartment with one bedroom.

Tip 4: Sort items into 'keep' piles and 'toss/sell/donate' piles

It's important to help your loved one make concrete, logical decisions about which items to keep. It can help to create piles: A 'keep' pile and 'toss/donate/sell' piles.

Some items may be valuable—it's understandable if your loved one doesn't want to donate or throw out items of value, however, that doesn't mean it makes sense to keep them, so offer to help sell them online.

A good example of this could be small appliances; such as a microwave. Many retirement community apartments come equipped with these types of items, so it doesn't make sense to have a duplicate.

Be sure to ask your loved one: When is the last time you used this item? When sorting through things. If it's been sitting in a closet for a year or more, it's time to get rid of it.

Tip 5: Consider Distributing 'Legacy Gifts'

Ask your loved one if they have any heirlooms or meaningful items they plan to pass down to children, grandchildren, friends, etc. If they do, talk to them about giving those gifts early in order to avoid moving or storing items that will eventually be given away anyway.

A nice perk of doing this is they will get to see the joy on people's faces when they pass these along and share the story behind said items.

Tip 6: Make this a bonding experience — reminisce together while sorting through their belongings

Although it's important to carefully balance reminiscing with making progress decluttering, it's OK to stop and enjoy the moment once in a while. Especially when coming across meaningful items like wedding albums or old baby clothes. This gives you and your loved one a chance to share stories and connect over memories you may have forgotten about. Consider inviting all of their kids or grandkids over for one day and reminiscing together over these items.

With that being said, be sure to dedicate a specific frame of time to doing this. You don't want to linger on it for too long or it could become overwhelming or too emotional for your loved one. The emotions that come with an experience like this are inevitable. Change can be hard for anyone. Your loved one has gotten used to having the items they've accumulated over the years around them, even if they are boxed up and stored. Those items evoke memories and personal stories. They have provided comfort and a sense of ownership and pride. Loved ones are bound to struggle a bit with letting them go. It will take time, and it will likely cause some amount of stress for all parties involved. As long as you're empathetic and create a structured schedule, it should make the process less painful and more enjoyable as your loved one shares those memories with you during the downsizing process.

Remember to stay positive and highlight all of the good things that will come along with downsizing and moving to a new home.

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2115 1st Avenue SE

Cedar Rapids

Iowa 52402

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