Home Downsizing: The Pros and Cons of Downsizing Your Home as a Senior
A home is more than a house; it's the place you can really feel you belong. But what happens when that home stops feeling like home? An issue many seniors encounter as they age is having too much space to handle on their own. It can be a challenge to take care of a property if it's too big, so some have chosen to downsize as a solution. Here are the pros and cons of home downsizing as a senior, plus some tips for deciding what's right for you during the process.
Pros of Home Downsizing
The pros of downsizing are many and include things like:
- Smaller homes require less time and energy to clean.
- Getting from room to room is easier.
- Choosing a new home means finding one with a better layout.
- An opportunity to get rid of unwanted or unneeded things.
Cons of Downsizing
While there are benefits aplenty, it's important to note that downsides exist to downsizing, including:
- Moving can be expensive, as is buying a house.
- Moving requires a lot of time and energy to accomplish.
- A smaller home may not have the space for everything someone wants to keep.
- It can take some time to adjust to a new living situation, even a good one.
Tips for Adjusting to a Smaller Home
It can still be difficult to adjust to a smaller home even after moving in. Getting used to new surroundings can be a challenge, so here are some tips for making that easier:
- Try to set up things like kitchen drawer layouts similar to the old house.
- Walk the house every day until the layout is memorized.
- Don't be afraid to leave notes about where things are located.
Understanding What to Keep and What to Discard
Obviously, downsizing your home means downsizing your belongings, too. It can be difficult to know what to keep and what to discard, so here are some questions to ask when making that decision:
- How useful is it?
- How often is it used?
- Does this have value, either monetarily or sentimentally?
- Can this be replaced?
- How much space does it take up in the new house?
How to Stay in Touch After the Move
An aspect of downsizing many don't consider at first is the actual move. Moving house means moving somewhere new, which can put a person further away from their loved ones. Seniors can especially feel the pain of this due to how easy it can be to isolate oneself. To avoid this, try to practice these tips for staying in touch:
- Call others frequently
- Make plans to see others whenever possible
- When selecting what to keep, keep those important keepsakes from others.
Get Help From Senior Helpers Pottstown
Moving is tough for anyone, especially seniors who live alone. It's also tough for their caretakers, who might end up further away from them as a result. If you have a senior in your life which you take care of but are no longer able to provide the same level of help to, Senior Helpers Pottstown is here for you. We provide in-home care to seniors across Pottstown and the surrounding area, including Norristown, King of Prussia, Phoenixville, Malvern, Collegeville, and the rest of Montgomery County. Contact us today to learn more.