Moving and Downsizing for seniors:
As seniors approach a time in their life when it’s best to consider retirement living, the process can be hard on themselves and their adult children, too
A year ago, LaRue and Speros Travlos had a decision to make.
They already had downsized once, moving from their family home to a condominium several years ago. But now they had to decide if it was time to downsize again.
After many discussions and much research, they decided to move into Trail Ridge Retirement Community.
We are still very mobile and can participate in all the activities,” LaRue Travlos says.
Moving is a big step for anyone, but for seniors, the process can be frightening. And it can be just as bewildering for adult children, caught in the middle, trying to help their parents find the right place.
While the very thought of selling the family home and eliminating belongings accumulated over a lifetime can be a big barrier, “downsizing can be a relief once it’s done,” says Bonnie Reynolds director of marketing at Trail Ridge.
But it goes beyond that. The lifestyle change can be demoralizing and intimidating.
“Many are working much longer, hoping to stay in their home as long as possible,” says Sarah Jennings, state director for AARP.
Out of all South Dakota AARP members, 84 percent expressed a desire to stay in their home longer, she says.
The goal is to keep the person as independent as possible and keep expenses down. “It’ll be much less expensive than a nursing home,” Jennings says.
“By ensuring people are in the right place for the care they need we can eliminate unnecessary expenses.”
But sometimes, it’s time to move.
Making The Decision
Retirement facilities recognize the impediments and have resources for adult children and their parents to help sort and organize details.
Housing specialists, decorators, Realtors and others can facilitate the decision and help with the move by suggesting real estate agents, staging specialists to help show the home, moving companies, and even antique dealers or auction houses.
Then seniors need to figure out what they want in a retirement community, says Angie Rabon, executive director at Waterford at All Saints.
Women typically make care giving decisions for their husbands, parents and children but tend to ignore their own needs.
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