How to Help Your Elderly Parents Downsize
Taking care of elderly parents means you may have to help with downsizing or an estate sale. Here’s how to keep the process as smooth & stress-free as possible.
24 September 2020/General
How to Help Your Elderly Parents Downsize
If you have aging parents, you may have to help them with downsizing to a smaller home, an assisted living facility, or unfortunately have to help them deal with the aftermath if one of your parents has passed away. Moving or dealing with the death of a loved one can be a very emotional time, for you and for them, but with a few tips, you can care for your elderly parents during this time.
1. Start Early with Decluttering Process
Begin the process of decluttering well in advance of moving day. Start with simple tasks such as shredding old bills, mail, and papers that are not relevant or important anymore. Go through clothing and carefully consider household items to decide which are still being used and justify going along with the move. Also, ensure expired medication and food is thrown out and replaced. The earlier the decluttering process starts, the easier it will be when it comes time to move.
2. Prepare for Emotional Attachment to Possessions
Elderly people have a lot of memories in their home and attached to belongings they have possessed for a long time. Be prepared to expect emotions from your loved one when they see these items or are asked to choose to discard or donate them. Some elderly people have lived through very frugal times and may resist throwing things away. If a parent has passed and you are helping to sort their belongings this may bring up strong feelings in your surviving parent. Be patient and ready to hear stories and memories. You must be emotionally prepared to discuss and react in appropriate ways to these situations.
3. Create Systematic Storage and Organization Plan
The principles of an efficient move still apply to downsizing or estate sales. Go through each room systematically; declutter the space; organize everything into piles of keep, donate, discard; and label all boxes and bags with its contents. It might be useful to keep a physical list of the rooms, prioritize them, and list their major contents if your parent(s) could use that organizational help. If your finances allow, there are movers who specialize in relocating seniors.
4. Get Your Siblings Involved in Sorting
Some parents love to keep their children’s bedrooms as untouched as possible and will keep all of their childhood items. It might be useful to have your siblings come over and look through their childhood bedrooms to make decisions about what to pack with proper moving supplies and what to keep, donate, and discard on behalf of your parent(s) so they don’t have to make these tough decisions all on their own.
5. Keep the Downsizing Experience Light
Make the process fun for your parent(s). Play some of their favorite music while you work, take breaks for tea or delicious snacks, and keep it relaxed and comfortable. Also, it is recommended that you limit the amount of time you spend each day on organizing and packing so that it doesn’t become overwhelming.
6. Make a Secure Storage Plan For Pets
If there is a pet to consider, make sure that they can be put in a crate or placed in a room where they will not be tempted to wander outside during the move. Also, older pets may need some time for adjusting to new surroundings.
If you’re taking care of elderly parents during a downsize or estate sale, you might need a self-storage unit for furniture or items that do not need to be accessed regularly. Call your nearest location to reserve one today. We have self-storage facilities located in North Edmonton, West Edmonton, South Edmonton, St. Albert, and Red Deer.
Key Takeaways about Helping Elderly Parents Downsize
- Starting the decluttering process early helps elderly parents manage the emotional stress of downsizing by beginning with simple tasks like shredding old papers and sorting through clothing that is no longer used. Creative decluttering tips maximize storage space and make moving day easier.
- Emotional preparation is essential when helping elderly parents downsize because many seniors have strong attachments to belongings that hold significant memories, especially if they lived through frugal times or are dealing with the loss of a spouse.
- Systematic organization improves the downsizing process by tackling each room methodically, creating separate piles for items to keep, donate, or discard, and maintaining a physical list of rooms and their contents for better coordination.
- Involving siblings in the downsizing process allows them to make decisions about their own childhood belongings, which relieves elderly parents from making these difficult choices alone when clearing out preserved childhood bedrooms.
- U•STORE•IT offers self-storage units specifically for furniture and items that elderly parents want to keep but do not need regular access to during or after downsizing to smaller living spaces. Residential storage solutions provide flexible options for families in transition.
- Keeping the mood light during downsizing helps elderly parents cope with change by playing their favorite music, taking regular breaks, and limiting daily packing time to prevent the process from becoming overwhelming.
- Pet considerations require special attention during elderly parent moves, as older pets may need adjustment time to new surroundings and should be secured in crates or separate rooms during the moving process to prevent escape.
- U•STORE•IT has five convenient locations across Alberta including North Edmonton, West Edmonton, South Edmonton, St. Albert, and Red Deer to support families helping elderly parents transition to new living arrangements.