For many seniors, the idea of moving from their own home into a smaller apartment can be stressful. Whether they are simplifying their lifestyle, moving closer to loved ones, or addressing medical needs, downsizing can be a highly beneficial step for your senior relative. Not only can downsizing improve their quality of life, but it can also ease the burdens of managing a large household, such as housekeeping, yard work, and maintenance. If you're helping a senior loved one downsize into an apartment, consider the helpful tips below.

3 Tips for Moving a Senior Relative Into an Apartment

1. Consider Their New Space

When downsizing a home, consider the size of the space your relative will be moving to in advance to ensure you're only bringing along items they have room to store. Reduce unused or excess items such as kitchenware, holiday decor, and linens. You should also consider the value of belongings stored in rooms they will no longer have, like spare bedroom furniture, office supplies, or outdoor equipment stored in their garage.

2. Create a System for Reducing Belongings

One of the greatest challenges a senior faces when downsizing is letting go of cherished belongings. To make the process easier, develop a simple system, such as a "yes" or "no," or a "keep" or "donate" pile where they can easily decide whether something should stay or go. By creating a system, you can help simplify the process, reducing the emotional attachment, and allowing them to make decisions more easily. 

3. Enlist Help

Downsizing an entire lifetime is neither fast nor easy. Some days, your senior relative may be overcome by nostalgia, and stop to look through old photos, re-live memories, or linger in empty bedrooms. You may be in a hurry to get to the finish line. However, for your loved one, it's an emotional experience that shouldn't be rushed. If you're concerned about last-minute details such as cleanup and maintenance before turning the house over to a new owner, consider hiring a professional housekeeping service or handyman to help with final cleanup and repairs. This will ensure that the work gets done while your loved one has more time to reflect on their memories.

If you're downsizing for a loved one, consider A Affordable Cleaning By Diane's Service in Anchorage, AK, for move-out cleaning and housekeeping services. Offering the lowest prices for residential, industrial, and commercial cleaning, their skilled team takes pride in providing excellent customer service and reliability at prices you can afford. Contact them today at (907) 301-3329 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services.