Tips to Help You Downsize Your Parent’s Home


If your parent has reached the time in their life where they need help with daily personal care activities, moving into assisted living is the perfect solution. You will have peace of mind knowing their needs are being met and they are safe and comfortable.  However as much of the task of helping them move will likely fall on your shoulders, you have probably begun to realize that paring back a lifetime’s worth of possession is a bit overwhelming.  Not to worry, there are many good books on the topic as well as useful tips on the Internet.    

Organizing experts caution that the job can be complicated and fraught with emotion because as you see a pile of stuff to sort through and toss; your parent sees treasures and memories. Begin by creating a list of things your parent will need at their new place (keep in mind the size) and adding in the treasured items and personal belongings they want to keep.  If something is hard for them to part with, help them to think of a family member or friend they would like to give it to.  Also remind them if they sell the item, they can use the money toward something better suited for their new home such as a smaller couch or coffee table.     

Now the experts recommend going from room to room and to start sorting by keep, toss, or donate piles.  In addition rather than always asking your parent what they want to keep or get rid of, winnow down the selection, and then ask them yes or no questions.  Presorting items also helps to avoid keeping lots of multiple items.   

By measuring the size of your parent’s new suite, you can create a floor plan to realistic show how well their furnishings will fit.  Include the amount of cupboards and storage space they will have to help you know how much is too much.  Remember you do not want the new place to be so crowded that they can barely move safely about.   

Keep in mind that if your parent is moving into a community such as MorningStar at Jordan Creek, we do the cooking and serve the food.  Also our well-designed suites come equipped with mini blinds, carpeting, and lots of overhead lighting.  Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful assisted living and memory care community.     

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  Please schedule a tour to discover the newest community in the West Des Moines area.

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