Tips for Seniors Who Are Considering Downsizing

In the past when you were looking for a home to move into, you were probably looking for a specific number of bedrooms or whether or not it was located near a good school district. Not every day do people choose their dream home based on whether or not it’s senior-friendly. Everyone ages, and some times that means that their home is no longer a viable space for them to live in. Many older adults are faced with the predicament of having to downsize, often into an assisted living community if their family isn’t close by. Luckily, downsizing isn’t something to fear and can be a great financial and practical decision for many people. We’ve put together some downsizing tips for seniors.

Find out what the best environment is for your situation

We mentioned this briefly, but many older adults have the option of moving near their family. Talk to your children about what they think is the best way to approach this situation. Some may suggest moving into a townhouse or condo nearby, some may believe an assisted living community is the way to go, and others may suggest that you move in with them. Moving in with elderly parents can either be a positive or a negative experience, so make sure you have a clear conversation regarding expectations and boundaries for both parties.

If moving in with or near family isn’t an option, an assisted living community may be one of your best options. Not only will you have staff around to offer a helping hand, but you’ll also have a community of individuals to keep you company. 

Hire a real estate agent

One of the first steps towards successfully downsizing is to sell your current home. Depending on where you live, too, you can make a pretty good sum of money off of the home’s sale since the cost of housing, especially in larger cities, has been on the rise. By hiring a top realtor, you’re almost guaranteed to sell your home for the best price. Additionally, they’ll take a lot of the stress off of your back by taking care of showings, contracts, and closing.

Acknowledge your emotions

Most likely, the hardest part of downsizing isn’t the act of moving itself, but rather having to say farewell to a home where you built many memories. Moving is emotional, and it’s important to acknowledge your feelings rather than ignore them. Our suggestion is to try and carry over as many resemblances as possible from the old space to the new one including pictures, curtains, and even candles. Think of your home as the things that make it up, not the walls that surround you! 

If your a veteran, uncover your benefits

United States Veterans are offered a good amount of benefits in regards to housing and assisted living. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Aid and Attendance Program was established to provide care and assistance to aging veterans. Finding out whether or not you’re eligible for benefits can sometimes be daunting, especially if you don’t know where to look in the first place. The Senior Veterans Care Network exists to help senior veterans both discover and take advantage of the help they deserve. Discover your benefits and get in contact with us today!