Downsizing: Create the Home That’s Right for this Time in your Life

Retirement is an exciting time that opens up a new world of possibilities. If you have retired or are approaching retirement, you’re likely to be thinking about your future residence and new lifestyle. For many seniors, the future could include moving to a retirement community—and generally, that means downsizing. But where does one begin?

Downsizing for Retirement

If you have lived in the same home for many years, you’ve probably accumulated quite a bit—furniture, family treasures, knick-knacks, tools and more.

The first step in the downsizing process is to focus on why you are doing it. Many people get stuck thinking about what they are giving up or leaving behind. It’s important to focus on the new life you’re creating. What will best accommodate this new life, how do you see yourself living and which of your treasures bring you joy. When you keep looking forward, downsizing really becomes rightsizing—creating a home that’s right for this time in your life.

Once you have decided on the things you want to keep, you can make a plan for the things you no longer need. It helps to start with simple decisions. For example, if you are moving to a retirement community, you probably won’t need a lawn mower anymore. The things that don’t fit into your new life can be given to family members, sold, donated or discarded. It’s important not to get discouraged or feel overwhelmed. Downsizing can feel like a big task, but the best way to stay in control of your move is to ask for help.

At Bethesda, we provide the Moving with Ease program. Moving with Ease offers assistance with the sale of your home as well as downsizing, packing, moving and unpacking your belongings.

Benefits of Moving with Ease

Moving with Ease helps with:

• Sorting and organizing your belongings in preparation for your move to a Bethesda community.
• Showing how belongings will fit in your new apartment, which includes using actual floor plans and measurements so you can see exactly how your things will fit.
• Customized moving plans for distinct circumstances to ensure that all aspects of the move go as planned.
• Communicating with family members throughout the moving process.

Additional services offered:

• Cleaning and clutter removal
• Handyman services
• Estate sales

We believe your move should be as stress-free as possible. Our program simplifies the moving process and provides you the peace of mind you deserve as you prepare to step into an exciting future.

Learn more about Bethesda’s Moving with Ease program, and contact a Sales Counselor at an Independent Retirement Living community near you.

With 133 years of experience, our non-profit has set the bar for quality and compassionate senior living in St. Louis. If you are considering independent living, we encourage you to tour our communities, including Bethesda Barclay House – Clayton, Bethesda Gardens – Kirkwood, Bethesda Orchard – Webster Groves, Bethesda Terrace – South County, Village North Retirement Community – Florissant, and The Oaks at Bethesda Villas – Kirkwood/Webster. With our full spectrum of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, rest assured that all of your care needs will be met by highly-trained nurses and aides.