Part 2: 10 Strategies That Make Downsizing and Decluttering Easy
This is Part 2 of our downsizing strategies blog, offering 5 more strategies to help seniors and their families downsize and declutter. You can read Part 1 here.
These projects take time, emotional energy, and clear decision-making. We hope this information is useful and helps you approach downsizing, whether on your own, with your partner, or with your parents, in a way that is thoughtful, organized and productive.
6. Don't Be Afraid to Bring in Help
Downsizing is a significant undertaking, and it's okay to not do it alone. Family can be a great resource for help. However, you want to ensure that they are kind and empathetic during this difficult undertaking. Professional services can help you with everything from sorting and packing to coordinating donations, staging a home for sale, and managing estate cleanouts. This takes the physical and logistical burden off family members so they can focus on being present with their loved one instead of buried in boxes. Regardless of who helps you, they should provide calmness, kindness, and coordination to make it a positive experience for you.
7. Set Realistic Daily Time Limits
Sorting through a large volume of possessions is taxing emotionally, not just physically. Work in short, focused sessions (an hour or two at a time). This tends to be more sustainable than marathon weekend purges that leave everyone drained and discouraged. Understand the personality traits and limitations of those who are downsizing. If they struggle to focus or have physical limitations, set up your process to accommodate these characteristics and maximize productivity when their focus and abilities are strongest.
8. Consider all Donation, Selling, and Disposal Options
Having a good idea of where items will go removes a major bottleneck. Research local donation centers, consignment shops, estate sale companies, and junk removal services before you start sorting. Determine the charities that align with your values (if that is important to you) and accept the items you will be donating. This way, items can leave the house as soon as a decision is made instead of piling up in the garage. Create a list of organizations, the items they accept, and whether they will pick up items. Consider the volume of items you may want to send to the trash so that you can have a Bagster, or something similar, ready on project day. Avoid moving the same things multiple times if you can.
9. Protect Important Documents and Valuables
Before the general sorting begins, locate and secure important items such as financial documents, medical records, insurance policies, deeds, and family heirlooms of real value. Things can get chaotic in the middle of a downsizing project! Identifying these items early prevents them from accidentally ending up in a donation or trash pile during the busier stages of the process. This is also a good time to ensure that such valuables are organized and secure going forward. A downsizing project can be a good opportunity to improve record storage and organization practices, digitize when necessary, and confirm your heirs know where to access important documents when the time comes.
10. Family Members – Involve the Senior in Decision-Making
It can be tempting for adult children to move quickly and make choices on a parent's behalf to save time or avoid conflict. But downsizing goes much more smoothly, and preserves dignity and trust, when the senior is an active participant in decisions throughout the process. If a senior has the capacity, it is critical that they are engaged in the process and empowered to make decisions about their belongings. It’s OK if it takes a little longer. Use the tips in Part 1 of this blog to establish an organized process that maintains engagement, interest, and efficiency.
Do you need support with a downsizing project?
Most people cannot tackle this alone, and family may not be the best resource for assistance. If you are engaged with a senior community center in your area, you can look into resources they may offer. You can also Contact Us for more information and to discuss your project. We offer services that help Twin Cities families navigate downsizing, decluttering, move preparation, and estate cleanouts. We also provide personal assistance and home maintenance services to seniors, helping them age independently and safely in their home.
