Downsizing DOs and DON’Ts: Expert Advice for Seniors Moving to The Village at Germantown

Before you can start enjoying an active, maintenance-free life at a senior living community like The Village at Germantown, you may need to tackle the task of downsizing. While the process can seem a bit daunting, it’s also an opportunity to upgrade your lifestyle and begin a vibrant chapter of new adventures and experiences.

Leah Anne Morse has a few ideas about downsizing. She’s the owner of All Things New, a service specializing in senior moving. We’ve spoken with her before about minimizing the stress of moving, and today she’s sharing some downsizing DOs and DON’Ts—plus other valuable advice she’s given clients over the years.

DO Work with a Downsizing Specialist Before You Call a Real Estate Agent

Downsizing is a journey, and beginning the process well in advance of listing your house gives you time to sort through your belongings without feeling rushed or stressed. This extra time also gives you the chance to make thoughtful decisions about what to keep, donate or discard.

“I advise my clients to wait until they’re about halfway through the downsizing process before contacting a real estate agent,” Leah Anne explains. “That way, our consultants can help them ‘stage as they go’ by thinning out their house and packing away items they won’t be needing. So, when the real estate agent gets involved, that part is already done, and they can focus on things like marketing and pricing.”

DO Know the Specifics of Your New Senior Living Floor Plan

Leah Anne says an important early step in the downsizing process is knowing the exact measurements of your chosen floor plan, including specifics like closet space and the number of kitchen cabinets. That way, it’s easier to decide what—and what not—to bring with you.

“You should try to visit your new residence as well,” Leah Anne adds, “because there may be subtle differences between the printed floor plan and your actual apartment or villa. Clients tell me an in-person visit also helps them visualize how well their furniture will fit.”

DO Think About What Makes Your Home Feel Like “Home”

It’s natural to be concerned that your new residence at our Germantown senior living community (or any retirement community) won’t feel comfortable and familiar right away. Leah Anne’s advice? Decorate your new space with familiar photos and artwork.

“When we move folks in, we set up all the furniture and put all their clothes in the closets,” she explains. “But it doesn’t really seem like a home until the paintings and photographs go up. The minute that happens, the whole atmosphere changes. It’s amazing.”

Treasured items, like an heirloom clock or a unique porcelain figurine, can also add a sense of familiarity to your new home. “One client moved into an apartment at The Village with a built-in bookcase on one wall, and you should have seen the smile on her face when she looked at all her photos and curios displayed together.”

DON’T Hesitate to Ask for Some Expert Downsizing Advice

Feeling a bit overwhelmed about moving to a senior living community? That’s perfectly normal, and you may find you need a little help with things like organizing, planning and logistics. Fortunately, The Village team has you covered. We’ll be happy to provide you with a list of moving companies and senior moving services with a proven record of reliability and expertise.

Sometimes experts even help you find creative solutions to problems that pop up. “One of my clients had four sets of china and was disheartened that she couldn’t take all of them with her,” Leah Anne recalls. “I suggested that she take three place settings from each pattern and mix and match when she entertained in her new home. She was thrilled that she didn’t have to part with all her treasured pieces and could share their history with her new neighbors at The Village.”

DON’T Forget to Square Things Away with Your Utility Company and Other Services

One of the biggest advantages of moving to a senior living community is that so many of life’s monthly expenses are part of the package. At The Village, for example, water, sewer, heat/air conditioning and electricity are included—as well as amenities like a state-of-the-art fitness center. So, make sure you give your current providers ample notice of cancellation before you make your move, since you won’t need to transfer those utilities.

Also, if you’re moving to a community where you’re responsible for choosing your own phone and cable provider, be sure to transfer your current service to your new location and turn in any equipment you’ll no longer be using.

DON’T Bring Items You Won’t Need—or Miss—to Your New Senior Living Residence

If you're moving to a community like The Village where there’s an abundance of delicious dining, you’re not going to need many of the items in your current kitchen and dining room unless you love to cook every day. For example, if you have twelve different pots and pans, consider cutting that number down to four or six.

And although it may seem hard to believe, you probably won’t need as much clothing as you do right now—particularly coats. “Retirement communities like The Village at Germantown have fitness centers, lectures, clubs and other exciting activities right on site, so you don’t need an entire closet packed with coats,” Leah Anne explains.

What about items that hold sentimental value, but won’t fit in your new senior living residence? “I encourage clients to take digital photos of dressers, couches or dining room sets that may be too bulky for their new apartment,” Leah Anne advises. “Then, they can load these images onto a digital frame to enjoy a slide show of memories whenever they like. This also works great with photos stored in photo albums or boxes.”

One Last Piece of Downsizing Advice: DO Get to Know Your Amazing New Neighbors!

Leah Anne says she always looks forward to move-in day at our Germantown senior living community, because folks are constantly introducing themselves to new residents and making them feel welcome. “They’re always sticking their head in the door and saying, ‘let’s have lunch once you get settled!’ It’s a beautiful start to a new life.”

To learn more about The Village at Germantown, where everybody feels like family, call 901-737-4242.

Leah Anne’s top 10 tips for downsizing success

1. Begin decluttering from the least-used to the most-used rooms of your home.
2. Ease into the process by starting with areas of little emotional attachment such as linen closets.
3. Assemble boxes labeled “donate,” “give away,” “recycle,” “shred” and “trash.” As you come across unneeded items during your day, drop them into the appropriate box.
4. Measure your new space and scope out ways to increase storage—including vertical space.
5. Sell your furniture to the new buyers or hold an estate sale.
6. Get rid of clothing you haven’t worn in the past two years (sell designer items on Poshmark or eBay.)
7. Reduce paper clutter with digital copies of financial records and other documents. Load photos onto a digital screen.
8. Keep your favorite sentimental items and give the rest to your family.
9. Rule of thumb: Keep two sets of sheets per bed and four towels per person.
10. On the fence about an item? Do a test run to see if you can live without it.