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Sometimes, less is more. This might seem a bit counterintuitive at first, but it’s especially true when it comes to housing for seniors. Of course, there’s something to be said for having plenty of room when you’re in the middle of those prime, family-raising years. But at a certain point, all the extra square footage becomes superfluous, and an excessively large house can start to pose safety risks, as well.
As we get older and mobility becomes a bit more difficult, things like stairs and extra rooms only add to the risk for things like falls and other accidents. At a certain point, it just makes sense to move into a smaller living space. Such a situation poses far fewer safety hazards and can also help to cut back on living expenses. Downsizing can be quite a challenge, but there are plenty of ways to make the job more manageable.
Finding the Perfect Home for Your Golden Years
As you go about choosing the place you’ll call home for your golden years, consider the things you’ll want and need as you get settled in. What kind of community do you see yourself living in? What kind of expenses do you have, and what will they allow you to afford? There are lots of details to consider, such as looking at your budget to determine what you can afford and consider what your future needs will be. It’s also smart to know that the decision might not be made in one sitting.
Decide What You’ll Get Rid Of
Part of downsizing always involves letting go of a few extra belongings that you won’t have space for moving forward, which is something that can be stressful for many seniors. Work with your family to decide what you’ll keep — keepsakes and memories can be passed down to family members, for example. You might even enjoy the experience of purging your home of old clutter you don’t need anymore!
One way to make the most out of this process is to see if you can’t make a few extra bucks by selling some of your things online. A site like eBay or Craigslist can be ideal for selling your stuff. You might not make an overwhelming amount of cash, but these extra earnings can still be helpful for paying other aspects of downsizing.
Consider Hiring Movers to Help with the Process
Moving can be an exhausting process, no matter how old you are. It might be smart to hire a moving team who can handle some of the more strenuous heavy lifting for you. This will help you avoid any potential injuries, and also make the whole process a lot less stressful in general.
One of the best ways to save some money when you’re moving house is to look into hiring a hybrid moving company, especially if you’re moving a significant distance. By breaking up the moving process and splitting it between different vendors, you could save at least 40% on the overall cost of your move. In many instances, you can hire local movers to load up your current home, then have another team haul everything to the final destination, where movers will unload everything for you.
Downsizing isn’t always a smooth transition, and leaving behind the home you’ve known for years can be an emotionally challenging process. Therefore, it’s best to make sure you have as much help as you can get. A few extra sets of hands can be instrumental when it comes to making the downsizing process more bearable.
Written by:
Hazel Bridges
hazel.bridges@agingwellness.
