It is daunting enough to make the decision to downsize, but how to manage the move, with a lifetime of collected belongings?
Sandy Smallbone specializes in assisting those in the senior community move into independent or assisted living facilities. Sandy will assist in downsizing and senior move management, and offer a variety of services to help make your next move go as smoothly as possible.
As a real estate professional and former nurse Sandy strives to remove the emotional and physical burden of the moving or downsizing process by working with her clients and their families on every aspect of the move - from arranging the moving company to transferring utilities to decorating the new, smaller space exactly to their liking.
Whether you are retired, aging into retirement or assisting a family member or friend, she can help.
It is never too early to start sorting, and downsizing to prepare for your move. Start with your closets and file cabinets, attics and basements.
- Begin to think about items that you would like to take to your new home.
- Start distributing things to family and friends including family mementos, photos and books. Save only those keepsakes that mean the most to you. Don’t ever throw away something that has special memories, is valuable or a family heirloom.
- Get rid of anything that is not fixable, not wearable, out of date, or just taking up space.
- Begin to use up canned and frozen foods.
- Have draperies, rugs, and other linens cleaned before the move.
- Set a move date.
- Develop a customized floor plan with your move manager.
- Arrange to transfer phone, cable, newspaper, address, and other utilities. (Your senior move manager can handle these for you).
- Get a moving estimate and decide on a van line.
- Remember the more items you discard before the move the less your moving bill will be.
- Organize all medication, go through medicine cabinet and throw out anything that is expired. (Take medications with you the day of the move).
- Arrange for overnight accommodations if needed the night of the move.
- Let your move manager assist you with sorting and over seeing the packing with the van line.
- Take a deep breathe and relax... have a nice lunch with friends and family.
- Arrive at your new home the next afternoon to find everything in place... boxes all unpacked, trash discarded, beds made, pictures hung, and everything on your bedside table just as you had left it the day before!
Moving in the Right Direction
Individuals who have lived in their homes for twenty, thirty, even forty years find themselves facing a troubling decision: To move or not to move?
Naturally, these individuals find comfort in continuing to live in the home that holds so many fond memories for them. But, as the years pass by, they also find it more and more difficult to maintain their home as they had in the past.
No one understands the dilemma seniors face better than Sandy Smallbone former nurse and real estate specialist in Burlington . In her career, she has helped seniors make the transition from their family home to a new residence that suits both their needs and desires.
Home-buying mistakes for Seniors
- Disregarding future transportation needs: Changing health conditions may prevent driving. Carefully consider ease of access to public transportation, stores, work, businesses, health care facilities, loved ones and favorite haunts.
- Missing steps in the process: Stairs and seniors don’t mix. Seek single-floor layouts, stepless entries and level driveways. Non-slip floors, bathroom grab bars and levered door handles will likely make life easier as well, either now or down the road.
- Poor reconnaissance: Minimal time spent scoping out the new community can spell disappointment. Explore many potential options for relocation and then revisit your favorites at different times of the year — and even different times of the day — before you move.
- Moving too far from kids and grandkids: Warmth is where the heart is. Many a new Floridian has backtracked to home base to live near family.
