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downsizing tips for seniors

5 Downsizing Tips for Seniors

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Downsizing is an emotional challenge for some seniors while to others, it’s a joy – it all depends on preparation. Most seniors enjoy more free time by moving to a smaller house that requires less upkeep. These are the seniors who are open to the idea of downsizing. Before the time comes, it’s important for seniors to sit and discuss downsizing options with their family or friends. Here are a few downsizing tips for seniors:

Downsizing Tip 1: Plan ahead

Planning is the essential component of downsizing for seniors. The conversation around downsizing should start as early as possible. Let the senior know you respect their freedom of choice. Discuss with them why they should consider moving, where they will be moving to and the moving budget. Compare the costs of moving to the new space and all the pros of the new space compared to the current space.

Downsizing Tip 2: Start small

Start sorting out things as early as possible and start with the smaller rooms. Sort all the things you want to get rid of room by room. Starting with the smaller rooms first may be less overwhelming than diving into the bigger ones first.

For this, start early and start getting rid of things one by one. You can start donating what you don’t need or selling them as early as the decision to move is made.

downsizing tips for seniors

Downsizing Tip 3: Eliminate the rooms absent in the new home

Before you even start donating things, make sure you eliminate the things in the rooms that you don’t have in the new house. Some of these rooms house important items that you just can’t get rid of. Relocate these to other rooms in the new space and donate, sell, or toss the others you don’t need.

Downsizing Tip 4: Declutter

When it comes to moving, getting rid of what you don’t use isn’t an option. Make two piles, the yes and no piles – but no ‘maybes’. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a maybe pile that is bigger than the other two. Take a good look at every item in the house and if it’s not something you use regularly, that’s a no and if you use it regularly, it’s a yes.

Downsizing Tip 5: Consider legacy gifts

Seniors have a hard time letting go of some things. There will be items that the senior can’t or won’t let go of, and that’s alright. The antiques and other sentimental items don’t have to go as long as they don’t impede the move. Let the senior decide on what to do with the sentimental items that won’t fit in the new home. Most prefer giving these special items to family as a sign of gratitude. Just always ensure that they know they have a voice in the move.

Downsizing for seniors isn’t easy but if you have a plan and clear communication, moving can be a smooth and peaceful transition. Remember not to force anything, simply suggest and wait for them to make a choice.

If ClutterBGone can be of any assistance in your transition process, reach out to us here! Sometimes just a little extra support and guidance is all you need.

elderly parents moving

How to Talk to Your Elderly Parents About Downsizing

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Talking to your elderly parents about downsizing is one of the most challenging things. For the talk to yield positive fruits, you have to be cautious and steer the conversation in a subtle manner. The move might seem practical for the senior, but the thought of moving can provoke strong emotions. As the responsible party, you have to make the senior understand why this is in their best interest and why it has to be done which is challenging but not impossible.

Start the discussion as early as possible

How do your parents or the seniors in your life imagine their future? Before the move is immediately necessary, begin talking to them about other options to make the transition easier. Make sure you discuss the topic multiple times and show them the pros and not the cons of moving. This way, arriving at a decision you are both comfortable with is easier. Bring up a neighbour or an old friend who has downsized and talk to the senior about the advantages of the move.

Let the senior stay in control

Before you can figure out what to tell your elderly parents, listen to them first. Downsizing is emotional as it makes the seniors feel like they are losing control over their lives. State one fact before anything else that the decision to downsize is ultimately theirs and you are here to provide support and make suggestions. Never impose but instead, ask gentle questions about the current living situation and let them know how downsizing can help them improve and live a happier life.

elderly parents moving

Air your concerns

Most seniors respond best if you are open and honest. Instead of imposing, making choices, or controlling them, share your worries about their living conditions. Most of our elderly parents don’t like it when their children worry so much about them. For this reason, they won’t be defensive or feel upset if you express your fears and the desire for them to be safe and happy.

Downsizing is a sensitive topic for the elderly and it needs a subtle approach. Make plans with your parents if you want a smooth transition and figure out their idea of downsizing. Get to understand what is sensitive about it and how to best approach that. Elderly parents feel attached to their homes and that bond can be hard to break. Do it bit by bit and in a considerate manner and let the elderly parent feel in control at all times. Let them feel their decision is respected and appreciated.

If at any time you need a little extra help and support, we are just a call away to help with all your downsizing needs!

downsizing seniors

How To Help Our Seniors With Downsizing

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People have different responses to getting old but one thing we can be sure of is that ageing is inevitable. When people get to the age where they are regarded as senior citizens, one of the problems they face is moving and downsizing and making difficult choices of what to keep and what to let go. This period is usually very emotional for some, however can be something to look forward to and become excited about.

Here are a few steps to consider when helping a senior downsize.

Consider Their New Home

Downsizing usually involves moving into a smaller and more manageable environment and the new space is the first thing that must be considered. Ideally, it is not a process that should be rushed. You have to check out their your new home’s space – the floor plan, the kind of environment and community that is being entered into.  Is your senior downsizing into a nursing home or assisted living facility? Are they moving in with friends or family, a retirement community, or are they buying or renting a smaller house or condo?

The Seniors Guide To Downsizing

Take An Inventory Of Their Current Home

The next step usually involves taking an inventory of items in different parts of their current home. It is advisable to start from the part of the house with the biggest items or the area of the house that has the most stuff.

While doing this, you will be able to identify different categories that items might fall under e.g. Regularly used objects, sparsely used objects and high-value objects. Every room in their house must be checked so you don’t miss anything important – ensuring everything is well-organized when moving and they don’t end up with items they don’t need in their new space.

Do They Need It?

De-cluttering is a very important step in the downsizing of your seniors. You have to ask yourself certain questions as you pack-up and box items like:

  • Do they need this item? Is it used regularly?
  • Will the item fit into their new space easily?
  • Is the item of high-value financially?
  • Do they have multiple versions of the item?
  • Does the item limit their mobility or accessibility in their new space?
  • Do they love it?

Answers to such questions are usually difficult but very necessary when planning their move.

Find Innovative Ways To Take Care Of Disposed Items

You’ve sat with your senior and have decided what belongings will make the move and which ones won’t. When disposing of the items that won’t be moved with them,  you need to decide what to do with them. You can have the items donated to charity or given to friends or family members that may find the items valuable. Another option is to have an auction or sale especially when some of the items are still valuable and would be able to generate some needed income. When downsizing, it is important to always get rid of old and harmful items that can’t be repaired no matter how much sentimental value they carry – you don’t want to keep harmful objects in their new environment as your senior approaches their golden years.

As we mentioned above, this process can be emotionally draining for some so it best be done with the help of loved ones, family or friends. However, if it gets too difficult, you can always consult with us. We love assisting our seniors!

Who Needs A Professional Organizer?

Who Needs A Professional Organizer?

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Do you want to tidy up your home but just don’t know where to start? Discover the slew of benefits of hiring a professional organizer. Continue reading to find out more!

It’s More Than Just Cleaning

Many people believe that a professional organizer is simply someone who’ll help arrange your home. However, an organizer is so much more than that. A trained organizer enables their clients to take control over their home and life. It could be anything from re-organizing an empty nest or moving out a deceased loved one’s possessions. Home is where the heart is and an organizer is the first step towards creating a space that is perfect for your lifestyle and needs.

Do I Need An Organizer?

This is a personal question that only you can truly answer. The best way to work out whether you need a professional organizer is to ask Who Needs A Professional Organizer? yourself the following questions. Do you feel overwhelmed with your possessions? Do you believe your space represents your personality? Is there anything you want to change in your home to make life easier? If you answered yes to any of these questions it’s time to consider whether a professional organizer could be the perfect fit for you.

Is An Organizer Just For Hoarders?

There’s a popular myth circulating that a professional organizer is only for people with hoarding tendencies. In fact, an organizer can assist with a diverse number of needs! For instance, if you feel your place is cluttered and you just can’t get on top of the mess, an organizer can be invaluable. At the end of the day, an organizer will help you only as much as you want to help yourself!

What Can A Professional Organizer Do For Me?

There are so many different things that a professional organizer can assist you with. Below, is a brief list of just some of the amazing work they can do.

 

An organizer can:

  • Arrange your space effectively. This can help you to enjoy your home and cut down your cleaning time.
  • Instill strong organization principles in the client: A professional organizer will help to improve your everyday life. Being organized is a lifestyle, not just a cleaning method!
  • Help you to downsize: Many people hire an organizer when they are downsizing to a new home. This could be for retirees, empty- nesters, or even just a family moving to a new area. Downsizing is difficult, but with an organizer on your side, they can make the process seamless and painless.
  • Take control: Many people feel totally overwhelmed by their homes, and can’t even enjoy the space they have.

 

At the end of the day, an organizer helps to empower and encourage their client to take control of their space and improve their quality of life. Let us help you with your professional organizing needs – We here at ClutterBGone specialize in ensuring your peace of mind.

tips for helping the elderly move

Tips For Helping the Elderly Move

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Making the decision to move an elderly family member out of their home is difficult but is more often than not necessary for reasons of health and safety. Below you will find important tips for a smooth transition.

Tip 1 Helping The Elderly Move: Communication

This is by far the most important point in the beginning. Open and honest communication about why the move is necessary and brainstorm together what will work best. Always bearing in mind that your relative is likely to have very mixed emotions about moving. Validating their emotions is important. Be understanding and really listen to their desires. Together, set up a concise plan.

Tips for helping the elderly move

Tip 2 Helping The Elderly Move: Enlist Support

Reach out to other family members to help with the move, the more the merrier as they say. Also consider the support of a professional organizer. They are skilled in this type of situation and have a lot to offer in terms of advice as well as strategies for an easier transition.

Tip 3 Helping The Elderly Move: Clean and Organize

As you begin to sort and pack be sure to clean the items before storing or taking them to the new home. Some items will be harder to part with than others, this is true of anybody but for someone who may have a lifetime of memories in their home it is daunting. Listen with patience to the stories the items have and offer reassurance that things that are not going with then will be well looked after.

Tip 4 Helping The Elderly Move: Be Aware of Emotions

You’ve planned, you’ve packed and moving day has arrived. Be aware of the emotional state of your elderly family member and understand that it will be a difficult day. If your elderly relative is moving into an assisted living situation work with the home to plan what the day will look like. Many places will have supports in place for the move, there may be activities for distraction and they may also be paired with a new buddy for the day to introduce them to their new surroundings. If possible it may help to arrange furniture as closely as possible as it was in the old home. Ensure that photos are hung and important items are put away.

This is a tough transition for all and it isn’t over the day the move happens. You will want to keep a close eye on your relative over the following months as the emotional fallout can be heavy and overwhelming.

If you are facing the challenge of helping your elderly parents “smart size” into homes that are manageable, often emotional ties to furniture and keepsakes make it difficult and challenging for you and your parents to make decisions. We often hear the question “how do I even begin to sort through my treasured items and memories?” That’s when we can step in. Reach out if you need support.

Downsizing: Steps to take when moving

Downsizing: Steps To Take When Moving

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Downsizing can be quite a stressful operation. It is not only time-consuming but it can be a logistics nightmare, and it might require you to get rid of things that you might have an emotional attachment with.

Our aim is to share some of the most intelligent steps you could take when you’re about to move and downsize.

Plan Ahead

Take time to plan ahead and work out all the details of your move. For example, you can choose the best time to move by carefully considering possible traffic issues, and selecting a time frame that won’t be too stressful for you, in light of work commitments and other things in your calendar.

Get Rid Of Extra Things

As the name might imply, “downsizing” often means that you simply might not be able to enjoy as much space as you used to. Therefore,Downsizing: Steps to take when moving you might need to get rid of some of your belongings. It’s important to really go through your stuff well ahead of your moving date. Some people struggle with the idea of getting rid of some of their belongings, so they often procrastinate, only to panic during the very last stages of their move. As a result, they frantically cherry pick their items and often overlook important things. By sorting through your items in a timely manner, you are going to have plenty of time to determine what matters, and what could be expandable.

For this reason, it is important to take downsizing seriously, and understand what it means. Don’t just move all of your things to a smaller space. This will only cost you time and money. Make sure that you manage your possessions accordingly. Get to know your space, and carefully list your belongings so you have a clearer idea of how much stuff you have.

Get Someone To Help You

Whether its friends, family members, assistants, or a professional organizer – asking for help might be the best way to go in most situations. Moving can be stressful, particularly if you are on your own. The process requires many tasks, including lugging furniture around, moving boxes, cataloging things, packing, unpacking, driving, and so on. Having someone by your side could ease your load significantly. There is no need to get too stressed when you’re downsizing. A helping hand along the way can truly make a difference in your move and help you prevent a lot of unpleasant circumstances.

Downsizing for a move is a service we love providing here at ClutterBGone! Moving into a new space should be fun and exciting. Don’t allow this transition to make you feel stressed or anxious. We can give you back your peace of mind. Call us!

Your Step by Step DeCluttering Guide

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Living in a cluttered environment can prove to be very stressful and pave the way to a whole host of other issues as well. Chaotic working and living environments have often been linked with anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health problems. In addition to that, a space that is not clean and tidy could undermine productivity and prevent you from performing at your best.

Here we will provide some tips on how you can prevent the aforementioned issues, as well as keeping your home or workspace decluttered and inviting, with this step by step decluttering guide!

Cleaning and Rearranging

People often think that their spaces are cluttered because they have too many things. At times, however, this Your Step by Step Decluttering Guideisn’t the case. In most cases, a cluttered space is that way only because you might not have found the right way to flatter your area with the way it’s set up and organized. Some organization experts have saved people thousands of dollars, and even saved them from having to get rid of some of their stuff, by simply helping them rearrange their spaces in a more suitable way. Sometimes, keeping a space clutter-free could really be all about redefining its layout and organization.

Removing Unwanted or Unnecessary Items

If all else fails, and you find it hard to organize your space due to the sheer amount of the things that you own, you should consider getting rid of some of your belongings (downsizing or decluttering). This could be quite a complex task for some people. Many of us struggle to see things we care about gone. Others always think that they might need something later on in life, so they don’t want to get rid of those things, just in case they might end up finding a use for them later on. Whatever the reason that keeps you from getting rid of your stuff, you should take a deeper look at yourself, and your things. Although you might feel like you’re giving up on something by throwing things out, you might stand to gain much more than you could possibly imagine, particularly in terms of peace of Your Step by Step Decluttering Guidemind.

Adopting healthier habits

Getting your space clean and organized is only half the battle. The other half? Keeping it that way! It’s quite easy to slip into your old habits if you are not careful. In order to prevent such issues, be sure to embrace a steady routine, and be mindful about keeping your space clean and organized on a regular basis. This way, daily maintenance will only take a few minutes of your time every day, and you won’t run into the same debilitating space issues again. 

Decluttering your space doesn’t have to feel stressful. If at anytime you’re in the midst of your decluttering process and need a little more guidance and support, we’re here for you! We here at ClutterBGone love supporting others in this journey!

 

organizing process support

Process of Organizing – What’s My Involvement?

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Professional organizing is quickly gaining popularity. Professional Organizers are dedicated to delivering positive results for their clients. Most of us are familiar with what an organizer does, but what about the involvement of the client? What is their role in the process of organizing or de-cluttering?

We’ve all been stressed and overwhelmed with the state of our households. No matter how much we clean and tidy, things just always seem to get out of hand. Am I right?  Now, many people are hiring professional organizers to help them make sense of their space. If your home is getting organized by a professional organizer how much do you have to be involved? Should you be there monitoring their every move, or is it better to let the experts do their job?

Professional Organizing: Involved or Not?

The answer to this question above is yes and no! On the one hand, the client does need to be directly involved in the decision-making process.organizing process involvement It’s proven easier to let the organizer sort through the trash and treasures of your home by sorting and categorizing them into easier and more manageable categories for you to then be able to make decisions. We are never going to make decisions on your behalf as we understand these choices are extremely personal and sensitive.

For instance, an organizer may schedule a brief appointment to sort through family photographs or the kitchen cabinets. These are important and intimate items and only the client can make the final decision with these.

Will I need to throw things away?

When it comes to sorting through items, expert organizers will never pressure you to throw anything away. We are there for support, advice, and positive encouragement. An organizer will provide you with a foundation to assess what objects are important and which are not. The next step is to decide whether to keep the item or dispose of it. Then re-organizing the space to fit in with your new set-up, your routines and daily habits can take place.

Expert organizers are great at keeping decision-making sessions brief and concise. This allows you the freedom to be hands-on inorganizing process support the decision making process without getting overwhelmed with the entire organizing process.

It’s your choice

Each individual client is empowered to make their own decisions about how involved they want to be in the organizing process. Organizing can be time-consuming, so many organizers offer a lot of flexibility over how much the client wants to be involved in the project.

If you’re ready to tackle an organizational project of any sort, we are here to help you! At ClutterBGone we offer stress-free solutions to your organizational needs.

cost of hiring a professional organizer

How Much Does A Professional Organizer Cost?

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Are you interested in hiring a professional organizer but concerned about the expense? Let us help clarify the costs associated with hiring a professional organizer!

First off, there is no specific answer to this question. Each organizer or agency will most likely charge different rates. This can be dependent on a range of different factors. Some of these can include the experience of the organizer or the specific needs of each project.

The good news is that most organizers provide an initial thorough consultation with their client. From our experience,  the cost of a consultation assessment can cost clients anywhere from $75-$250 and can take anywhere from one hour to an hour and half and upwards (depending on the number of spaces being assessed and how much detail clients which to provide). The consultations  will help the organizer get a rough idea of the volume and scope of the project but also an in depth understanding of their client. Each person and home are unique, so this initial consultation is essential for the client to understand how much and how long a project will be. Let us outline some of the factors taken into consideration that can influence the cost of this service below:

Project timeline

This can depend on many different things such as the involvement of the client and the size of the home. cost of hiring a professional organizer

Personal client goals

Not everyone wants a total makeover. Some people may just want to regain control of their living spaces. Each specific need and request need to be taken into account to provide an accurate quote.

Space issues

If a home is difficult to move around freely in this can have a significant impact on the time it will take to de-clutter and organize each room.

The availability of storage space

This is an important aspect that many people don’t consider. A large part of organizing is reordering storage space. This entails finding easy and clear places for the client to locate important items. If there isn’t much storage space to work with, this can impact the time frame of the project. The organizer and client may need to get creative with innovative storage solutions!

Any foreseeable psychological challenges

This can include any number of things and will be ascertained during the consultation interview. An example of a psychological challenge may be a client clearing out their home while grieving the loss of a partner. This is a significantly different project with specific needs. It may require a longer time frame than an average organizing session. The sensitive and emotional nature of each project must be taken into account.

Physical constraints

This could entail a variety of physical situations that could be important when providing a price estimate. For example, the home could be on a top-story with no elevator!

A consultant will take stock of all of these features and provide a thorough estimate at the future cost of hiring a professional organizer. For an estimate, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help you begin your journey to a more organized lifestyle!

home organizing: where do I start

Home Organizing: Where Do I Start?

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Tackling home organizing on your own can be a daunting project. Let us help you discover where to start!

Break it down

Organizing the entire household can be a lengthy and stressful process. Don’t pressure yourself to do it all at once. home organizing: where do I start?Tackle it room by room and break it down over a period of a few weeks. Set yourself a time period and a task and then focus on getting that small project complete. Otherwise, it will be easy to get distracted and overwhelmed by all the things on your to-do list!

Organizing when you have a family

If you don’t live alone, home organizing can be even more complicated. Most likely, the other household members won’t be around for the entire clean up. So before you start, make different sections for each family member. This is where you’ll place anything of theirs which they may want to get rid of. Next time you see them, make sure they go through their piles and immediately dispose of anything they don’t need. This will make the whole process a lot easier!

Stock up on supplies

Purchase plenty of garbage bags and spare boxes to put in items that are getting thrown away or taken to charity or goodwill. Make sure to get extra cleaning supplies, such as paper towel, multi-purpose spray, rags, and air freshener. Keep in mind that you should also call your local council to schedule a hard trash collection ahead of time. By preparing all this early you can dig into cleaning and get everything organized efficiently.

Tackling that first room

Now that you’ve stocked up on supplies and planned a schedule, it’s time to start cleaning. Which room should you tackle first? This may seem counter-intuitive, but the best place to begin is the storage areas. This includes spare rooms, closet spaces, the garage, attic, and wherever else you store miscellaneous things. The reason why this is the best place to start organizing is that you first need to create space to store any important objects. Most likely the things that will be thrown away will be items that have been gathering dust in storage. Set aside plenty of time to clean and organize any full storage spaces.

Next up: The shared rooms

After making space in storage areas, start working on shared rooms. This would include the kitchen, living area, dining room, and communal bathrooms. Try and get the other members of the household involved in the project too. This is especially important if you have young children, as they will enjoy learning how to clean and have a sense of pride that they have been involved.

By de-cluttering space and giving each item a specific home, it will be easier to keep everything organized all year round. Make sure you let family or housemates know where each spot is. Better yet, make labels for different sections. After you’ve finished the communal areas, it’s time for the private ones.

And remember, we are here to help you along the way if you need a little extra support. Organizing your home is always easier with expertise, support and coaching from an organizing professional.  With our Lead Organizer on site, any space is redeemable! We provide space planning and efficient storage ideas and solutions for easy access and retrieval.  We’ll help you sort, pare down and liberate yourself from what you don’t need, creating strategies and a system of home organization specifically tailored for you. We even assist you with space planning and re-design.