Upbeat side of Downsizing & Relocation

The goal of downsizing and relocation services is to make the move and the relocation happen in the most upbeat way as possible. A large part of a successful relocation for an older adult involves focusing on the new home with a new layout and creating a new space that is more comfortable. In the new home the goal is to combine the new with the mementos of the past but end up with a safer, happier and fuller life for the older adult.

A good way to learn about downsizing and relocation services is review the following list of frequently asked questions:

I see my mother and father needing assistance but they have so much stuff in their home and I am not a collector. Where do I start?

A good place to start is gentle honesty about possessions overtaking the home. If you live out of town you need to plan a short visit to start the discussion. If your parents need to move into something smaller then arrange some tours while you are visiting. You also need to plan to come back for a longer trip and help your parents start dealing with accumulated stuff. Sometimes older adults will like the idea of giving items away while they can enjoy the gift giving and telling the story of the item to the recipient. This can be a wonderful family bonding process for everyone.

How do I choose a mover?

If you are working with a downsizing and relocation specialist they will usually have a mover that they use on a regular basis. Ask for and check references of the mover and your downsizing and relocation specialist. In most cases the downsizing and relocation specialist uses movers repeatedly so they tend to get extra care and attention because they are repeat customers. Also keep in mind that the least expensive company is not always the most cost effective.

I see mom tripping and forgetting things. What should I do?

If you are seeing behavior that is endangering your mother, then you need to take action quickly but once again in a supportive manner. If you live out of town, then you need to visit for a long enough time period to actually see what is happening and then bring up solutions. Many older adults can be resistant to change so you may have to come back for a few visits and keep suggesting options and gently move towards a safe housing solution.

I don't know anything about my mom and dad's financial situation. What should I know?

This can be a very difficult situation. In some cases parents may have some other trusted friend involved or they may be very private individuals. In any case, you should have a direct conversation and basically inquire if everything is okay with them financially and offer to help. It is quite appropriate to ask to know basic information so if something happens you know who has the important documents or where they are located. In turn you should share your important documents and wishes so that they are prepared. Often this sharing of important documents between seniors and their adult children can get discussion started.

Mother has some fine collections of things that she is ready to part with. What are my options?

Sometimes an older adult may surprise you and may be willing to part with some treasures if they can receive cash. Today it is almost always better to sell the items on eBay® then to sell to private sellers. Many older adults can have an ebay account set up with a local eBay® store and pay a commission to the eBay® store to run the sale. When the items sell the older adult receives a check in the mail. It is always wise to use a registered eBay® store and check credentials with a Better Business Bureau before dropping off your items for auction. Depending on the age of the older adult you may even want to volunteer to take care of this.

Do people still run estate sales in homes?

There are companies that run estate sales and most downsizing and relocation specialists have contacts for reputable estate sale companies. Keep in mind that you should only request an estate sale if there is a lot of finer items that would not be appropriate for an ebay auction such as a lot of furniture. In many cases after the senior decides what they want to keep and then gives items to family and friends, there is often not much left for an estate sale and it is more cost and time effective to give items to charity and take the charitable deduction.

Source: Marianne Farrell, Senior Options Services. www.SeniorOptionsServices.com