Helping Your Parent Downsize: A Guide for Adult Children.

When is the best time for a senior to downsize and consider a move?      

Ultimately, before there is a shift in their circumstance. I always recommend we consider these things proactively. Your parent(s) may never need to move, but it’s always stressful to go through the process of downsize during a crisis.

As my parents started to age, I brought up the subject of looking at retirement residences with them, so that they could begin the process of downsizing and have a place where they didn't have to do so much work. My mother was totally against the idea and said, “if you ever put me in a home, I'll come back to haunt you”.  She was so against the idea she never gave me any idea of the type of home she would be comfortable in. So obviously I dropped the subject. Fast forward a couple of years, and my mom had a stroke. And then she had a couple more strokes and ended up in the hospital. We had no choice but to find a place for them to move before they would discharge her as she could not come back to their existing home. Unfortunately, there were not a lot of choices. I could not take her around and show her different places and there was a huge time constraint to get her out of the hospital. So, the onus was with me to choose where my parents were going to spend their remaining years. I brought my dad with me, but he was obviously very distraught with his wife being in the hospital. I had to make the best choice possible.

There are several reasons to consider downsizing – or at least begin the planning:

Maintenance

As we age it can become more difficult to maintain a larger home, both physically and financially.  Downsizing to a smaller home, apartment or retirement residence can make it easier to keep things clean and organized as well as reducing the cost of maintenance and utilities.

Cost of Living

Many retirees are on a fixed income and may not have the financial resources to maintain a larger home. Downsizing to a smaller home can help reduce the cost of living and make it easier to live on a reduced income.

Safety and accessibility

Some older adults may have mobility issues and find it difficult to navigate the stairs or other parts of a larger home. Downsizing to a home that is more accessible such as a single-story home or apartment with an elevator can help make life easier.

Community

Moving to a retirement residence where you also have the option of cooking in your own suite or going and having lunch or dinner in a communal dining room is nice. A lot of seniors tend to stick to themselves more and become isolated. Moving to a retirement residence gives you the opportunity to make new friends, learn new hobbies, join in new activities that you like and not be so alone.

Medical Care

Living in a retirement residence gives you peace of mind because you've always got somebody there such as staff and other residents to watch out for you. If you're usually at the dining room at quarter to 12 every day and you don't show up, chances are pretty good somebody's going to come looking for you. Unfortunately, if you are in your own home and your children or your family live far away or have busy lives, it could be many hours or days before somebody realizes that you're not where you're supposed to be.

Another reason to downsize or move is looking for change. A lot of people have lived in the same neighborhood or home for 20, 30 or 40 plus years and they might be looking for a change in their environment. This could be the chance to move to a part of the city you’ve always wanted to live in!  

It's important to note that downsizing can be a difficult and emotional process especially if you have lived in your current home for a long time. It is important to weigh all the factors before making a decision and possibly consult with family, friends or a professional like a real estate agent or professional organizer to help you with the downsizing and purging process. The sooner you start the process, the easier it will be for all involved. YOU will be able to make more decisions, YOU have decided what is happening with your cherished items.  YOU will have a choice. 

Why wait?  Let’s chat and start Simplifying YOUR life today!