These Questions Can Help Seniors Plan a Stress-Free Downsizing Move

Feeling lost when it comes to planning your  move? Moving to a new home is always a stressful process.  Downsizing to a smaller home can be even more stressful for seniors. In addition to managing a move, you are also managing a major shift in your life.  This means a few questions are bound to come up along the way. Here are a few you may be asking yourself:

What Senior Housing Options Should I Consider?

First off, Independent living can be a smart choice for downsizing seniors who don’t need specialized care, but may be looking for a senior community where they can thrive in their golden years. Independent living facilities include communities that offer a wide variety of activities and amenities.  These include social outings and fitness programs, with a wide variety of costs as well. Average monthly expenses for independent living in Phoenix can range from $1,500 to $8,795.  Some facilities do offer assisted living care for seniors who may need it in the future.

Thinking about the need for assisted living is crucial for seniors and caregivers who are planning a downsizing move. Signs that assisted living is the best option can include burnout on the part of caregivers and heightened safety risks for seniors. Of course, if neither assisted living nor independent living are the most suitable senior housing choices, other options include skilled nursing facilities or continuing care retirement communities, both of which can provide more intensive care for seniors.

When Is The Best Time to Downsize My Home?

Timing a downsizing move just right can mean different things for different seniors because seniors can have so many different reasons for moving in the first place. Some seniors choose to downsize after children have moved away.  While others may be forced to downsize due to a sudden illness or injury. Still, saving money can be a major factor for many retirees who decide to move to a smaller home, but those seniors need to be especially careful with their downsizing plans. Seniors may need to budget for higher home prices even when buying a smaller home, so they may need to maximize profits on their current home. Timing can help with this as well, since homes listed in spring tend to sell quicker and can sell for more money, too.

Who Should Help Me With My Downsizing Move?

From decluttering your home to getting settled in your new home, there are a lot of smaller steps involved with downsizing that can be easy for any senior to miss, which can turn your downsizing efforts into a bit of a mess. So if you can find room in your budget, consider a move manager to reduce the chances of missing any important steps or stressing yourself out during this complicated process. Senior move managers have the expertise and experience to ensure that your downsizing move is completed without any issues, and these pros can be especially helpful for families who are helping seniors downsize their home. You can also ask loved ones to help with decluttering and packing your belongings, or you can hire pro movers to help out.

What Other Expenses are Involved With Downsizing?

Before you finalize your downsizing plans, you need to factor potential moving costs and expenses into your budget. For example, professional moving services may charge additional fees for certain services, so make sure you get detailed quotes from companies before you complete a final booking. You will also need to account for travel costs and meal expenses, especially if you are planning a long-distance move. Don’t forget to think about the emotional costs of moving as well, which can include anxiety over decluttering and even sadness after leaving your old home. These emotions can be more intense for seniors who have lived in the same home for decades, so allow yourself some time to process feelings and to begin to feel settled in your new home.

When planned correctly, downsizing can provide peace of mind for seniors. Having the right home and the right care can help you make the most of your golden years. So use the information above to make your downsizing move stress-free.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

This article was written by Michael Longsdon. For more information email [email protected].