If you’re helping your elderly parents make the transition to a senior living facility, you may be overwhelmed by the upcoming move. With a bit of planning, however, the relocation process doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are several tips to lighten the load and ensure your parents are ready for the next phase of their lives.

A Guide to Downsizing Before a Senior Living Facility Move

1. Create a Moving Plan

Weeks or even a month before the move, create a moving plan. Include which rooms will be tackled first and on what dates. Also, ask family and friends to pitch in to help on certain days. List what you want to accomplish in each room. Keep your parents involved, if possible. They should have a say about their personal possessions, and be open to compromise.

2. Tackle Small Rooms First

It won’t seem so overwhelming if you go through smaller rooms such as linen closets and kitchen pantries first. The key is to get rid of duplicates and other items that are no longer needed. Once the small rooms are out of the way, move onto to bigger spaces, such as basements and attics. Keep in mind that many of the items may not fit in your parent’s senior living facility dwelling.

3. Consider the New Space

After viewing where your parents will be living, come up with a plan for which items will go where. If it’s a furnished facility, bringing the beds and other large pieces of furniture may not be options. However, there may be room for smaller items, such as lamps and artwork. 

4. Keep Items in the Family

Instead of tossing out sentimental keepsakes, talk to your parents about passing them on to grandchildren and other relatives. For example, you may want to save holiday decorations, clothes, and books. By keeping these items in the family, you’ll have cherished mementos to help preserve your parents’ legacies.  

The Northfield a Family Service Communities is an enriched living facility that offers a vibrant and accommodating environment for senior citizens. Located in Monroe County, NY, their apartments offer plenty of square footage, competitive pricing, and a host of amenities to make residents feel at home. Around-the-clock staff members are available to tend to your parents’ needs. To learn more and schedule a tour, call (585) 377-1810. Visit them online for details about their senior living facilities.