Moving into assisted living often brings a mix of emotions. It can be an excellent change with plenty of benefits. But it’s also a chance for your loved one to simplify and downsize their lifestyle. Deciding what to bring and leave behind can make this transition significantly easier.
Downsizing intentionally helps make the transition more comfortable and welcoming. Try recommending that your loved one leave behind anything impractical, unnecessary, or incompatible with their new home. When it comes to downsizing, less is more, and being practical is essential.
Duplicate Belongings
Your loved one has likely spent years gathering backups of household items. These can be useful at some points but can also be overwhelming when moving. They may be tempted to try and bring everything, but this is a quick way to overfill storage areas.
It’s best to pare down the basics and say goodbye to duplicates. Some examples of what to leave behind include:
- Multiple sets of dishes, pots, and pans
- Extra linens and towels
- Unused or excess tools
- Duplicate cleaning supplies
After narrowing things down, it becomes easier to help someone organize their space.
Kitchen Appliances
Assisted living communities include meal preparation. Some offer communal dining, while others serve restaurant-style meals every day, which means many kitchen gadgets may no longer be necessary.
Items like waffle makers, stand mixers, or espresso machines will likely gather dust instead of being useful. It’s worth checking with the community ahead of time to see what is already offered. If your loved one’s new community provides core meal options, these items won’t do much more than be in the way.
Sentimental Items That Serve No Purpose
Sentimental items can be tough. Your loved one’s possessions tell stories and hold emotional power—but not every keepsake needs to make the move. Give them time to say goodbye to some things while saving the most meaningful ones.
It helps to be practical here. Your loved one doesn’t need to throw everything away—instead, encourage them to try:
- Digitizing old photo albums
- Creating a memory box with smaller cherished items
- Donating belongings to charities that resonate with their values
- Taking photos of larger items to preserve the memories
Precious family heirlooms, like old china or furniture, can often be passed down to relatives. By keeping a selective set of items, your loved one can have significantly more space—not just in their living area but in their mind, too.
Oversized Furniture
Large furniture pieces can dominate a room—they can take up too much space and are often downright unnecessary. Moving items like oversized couches or bulky dining tables into a more compact space can create unnecessary clutter. Or, if your loved one’s future home is furnished, it might be time to leave the big furniture behind.
They should consider swapping large, heavy furniture for something lighter and more adaptable. This would create a more open and bright environment and free the walkways. Compact pieces can still offer comfort without making the new space feel restricted.
Outdated Paperwork
Stacks of paperwork take up space. They add frustration to the move, and they can easily become confusing. While the process of sorting through old files might seem daunting, it’s a necessary step.
Start by organizing your loved one’s paperwork. Then, work together to determine what can safely be shredded and discarded.
Some items that should be thrown out include:
- Old utility bills
- Expired contracts
- Receipts from years past
- Bank statements older than a few years
Try using a scanner to create digital copies of documents they still need. This way, you preserve the information without hauling all that paper into their new home. Don’t forget to destroy any paperwork with sensitive information on it—a shredder can be invaluable.
Off-Season & Specialty Clothing
The closet is another area where downsizing can have a noticeable impact. Many people hold onto clothing for “what if” situations, but these occasions rarely come. Items like formal gowns, ski gear, or other specialty items often end up unused and taking up valuable space.
Sort through their clothes and prioritize practical, versatile pieces. Think of what they wear most often rather than keeping outfits for occasions that are unlikely to come up. Comfortable clothing like sweaters, simple pants, and shoes that suit their everyday lifestyle can cover their needs.
“Just in Case” Items
When downsizing, focus on keeping only what your loved one uses regularly. Craft supplies, old tools, or stacks of storage bins do little more than weigh down their move.
It can be difficult to isolate what should be left behind. Watch for:
- Unused kitchen gadgets
- Mismatched Tupperware or storage containers
- Craft supplies from abandoned projects
- Old or broken tools
- Outdated electronics or chargers
- Expired pantry items or medications
A lighter load of belongings means an easier move. This way, your loved one can settle into their new space without worrying about unnecessary “extras.”
Items That Don’t Add Value
Sorting through belongings means stepping back to assess what truly matters. Miscellaneous items might seem harmless, but they often create subconscious stress. Move forward by leaving behind anything that feels like more of a weight than a benefit, such as:
- Old or unread books
- Gifts you didn’t want
- Broken or “someday” projects
- Decor that doesn’t suit your new space
- Outdated technology or electronics
- DVDs or CDs you no longer use
A few less things to manage can go a long way. It means fewer objects to move and more space in your loved one’s new home.
Starting the Next Chapter Together
Downsizing isn’t about leaving behind belongings. It’s about making space for what matters most. Helping your loved one organize their life before the move makes the transition significantly easier and leaves room for new experiences in their new home.
If your loved one is considering assisted living, our team at Inspired Living at Kenner is here to help. Schedule a tour with us today, and we’ll guide you through how we can help.
