Healthy Life

     Moving is not an easy task no matter what your age. Sometimes the mere thought of boxes can raise the anxiety level.

     Good news for some; there is light at the end of the tunnel as they may be heading to a bigger place, a better neighborhood, or a welcome change. For seniors, however, the task may seem nearly paralyzing, as moving often means leaving a place where they grew up, the neighborhood they raised a family in and a house they called home. It's the memories that have kept them there, but the aging process that warrants the change – and not one by choice.
     Hence the phrase "downsizing," which means weaning ourselves from long-time possessions. Tough process for anyone, but more so for the senior who is more or less forced because of age or infirmity. Here are a few tips that may make the move a bit easier for your loved one.

    • Do your best to accept and understand how emotionally difficult this can be. Think about how you would feel having to give up items that are near and dear to your heart that come with a memory of a time passed.
     • Do your best not to ask "Why did you save these?" Some people are simply savers, not to mention most of our elders lived through the depression where throwing away anything was unspeakable.
     • Survey the items in your loved one's current home. Talk with them about what belongings are most important. Keep in mind everything will be important, but figuring out what items are at the top of the list will help you narrow down what will stay and what will go. Having the most important items will help to make the new location more like home allowing for an easier adjustment.
     • Consider when sorting through items, three categories; "keeping," "donating/or tossing" and "undecided." This necessary step will give your loved one a little time to think about the "undecided" items.
     • Even though it is tempting to get rid of the item that looks like its seen better days, do not always go for "new" things. If your loved one has a favorite chair or love seat, new is not always better. That worn seat may be the one thing that makes the new place feel most like home when they sit down and look about their new surroundings.

     • Make certain to "keep" and make room at the for gifts from grandchildren, picture frames, paintings, small collections and any other items that hang on a wall or other have had a significant spot in their current home. Re-creating a similar environment with these keepsakes will make the new destination more home-like.
     • Think about charities that items can be donated to. If your loved one enjoys helping others, take advantage of this mentality. If there is a particular organization or group that they have connected with, discarding items for donation will become a charitable act they can feel good about making the downsizing a little easier.
     • Family heirlooms, pictures, and photo albums can be very personal. Try to keep as many of these items as you can, even if you have to store them. Your loved one will feel very reassured knowing that such keepsakes are taken care of. With today's technology, photos can be scanned and put on a CD or in a digital photo frame. Some digital frames hold up to 1,000 photos. This can be a great housewarming gift at their new home, and a wonderful conversation piece for your loved one and their guests.
     • If you have the option to make a move without completely cleaning out the current home, this is a reassurance when you have undecided items. You can always get settled in the new place and go back for forgotten items or items you weren't sure if there was room for. This allows the door to "stay open" for many items that you are certain can't go, but need to stay in the "undecided" category for a bit longer.
     So as the saying goes, "it's the little things that count." When downsizing, and moving on to a new home whether it is to a smaller house, an apartment, or an assisted living residence, your loved will likely get over leaving behind most furniture, clothing and other household items. It's the items that will keep the memories in sight that should be kept for their next chapter. Your job is to be generous with your time and your won storage space, at least for now. Your understanding and thoughtfulness could make all the difference in moving process.