The 3-Month Downsizing Timeline for Older Adults: Breaking It Down into Manageable Steps

Especially when you’ve spent decades in one home, the thought of clearing out precious items and digging through closets that haven’t seen the light of day can be scary. The first step to downsizing is mental preparation. If you’re downsizing elderly parents, consider the emotions they’re experiencing, along with the memories likely running through their heads.

And if you’re the one downsizing, give yourself plenty of time to prepare, plus the grace to accommodate all the emotions you’re feeling. Don’t forget that downsizing help for seniors is often an option—if you’re considering this option, book far in advance to ease your moving-day stress.

One of our most useful decluttering tips for seniors is to create a personalized checklist before touching any items. Use it to note crucial tasks (like gathering important documents) and track your progress. We recommend including goals for each week to break down the process and make it less daunting—think “pack five moving boxes” or “declutter bedroom closet.”

Comb through the home one room at a time. Categorize items into “keep,” “donate,” “discard,” “save for family” and “store.” We recommend starting with sentimental items first, because they’re often the hardest to part with. Ease the emotional burden early in the process—and take time to preserve memories by photographing or scanning cherished items. Consider asking family members to help, so they can sort through sentimental items they may want to keep for themselves—and the extra hands certainly make the process easier!

Many people want to hold onto items that they don’t use regularly. When sorting through your belongings, ask yourself, “When was the last time I used this?” If it’s been more than a year, it may be time to let it go.

This step often takes longer than you think, so give yourself lots of time before your move. Ideally, start decluttering and downsizing months in advance and continue the process as long as it takes until moving day.

Gather and sort important documents to determine what to keep and what can be thrown away. Some financial, medical or legal documents may be years old and not worth keeping around when moving to your next space. On the other hand, letters, photographs and other family heirlooms should be accounted for and preserved. You may consider having them digitized onto a DVD, CD, USB drive or shareable file so you can still access them without taking up space.

When you’ve gathered the crucial documents, securely store them so they don’t get lost in the shuffle of your move. Consider temporarily handing them off to a trusted family member or storing them in a safe or safe deposit box at your local bank.

Especially for older adults, professional moving services are often a must. Decide on a moving company well in advance of your move to secure your rate and ensure movers are available when you need them.

At Bekins, we pride ourselves on being senior moving specialists, helping seniors move stress-free. Our agents and movers work with you every step of the way, helping to decrease mental and physical burdens. We offer full-service moving and packing services, even for specialty items like pianos, cars and fine art. And we’re backed by our valuation protection plans, so you can enjoy peace of mind. Get your free Bekins estimate today!

If you aren’t ready to fully get rid of your items, or you’d like more time to move belongings into your next space, think about renting a storage unit or utilizing Bekins’ storage. We offer the flexibility of both long-term and short-term storage options, plus storage-in-transit. Our climate-controlled, locked, clean storage facilities will keep your items safe and protected until you’re ready for them.

Double-check your reservations with movers and confirm the timeline and any special arrangements, like help with heavy furniture or specialty items. Gather a moving day crew, with friends and family to help with last-minute downsizing, packing boxes or cleaning.

One of the most emotionally taxing parts of the moving process can be seeing your house empty after years or decades of memories and treasured items. Leaving behind your old space is one of the hardest things you can do. Family members can support older adults by just being there, sharing memories and making space for their loved ones’ emotions.

To give your new space that “homey” feeling, we recommend unpacking as soon as possible. Being surrounded by familiar items is comforting and can make the space feel more permanent. Start with essentials like bedding, toiletries and kitchenware, then add photos, books and artwork where they’re most visible. Engage all the senses by lighting candles, playing your favorite music, cooking comfort meals and using throw blankets for extra coziness.

Whether you’re downsizing to a retirement community, senior living or just moving to a smaller home, a great way to acclimate is to get to know your new neighbors. Chances are, they’ve undergone a major life change just like you, and it’s calming to see a friendly face in a new environment.