It’s one of the first questions families ask and the honest answer is:

Longer than you think… but smoother than you expect with the right help.

A senior move isn’t just about moving belongings from one place to another. It’s a multi-step process that involves decisions, coordination, and emotional transitions.

At Your Tasks Our Time, we guide families through this every day. Here’s a realistic look at the timeline and what actually impacts it.

The Short Answer

Most senior moves take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks from start to finish.

But that range depends on several key factors and no two moves are exactly the same.

Phase 1: Downsizing & Sorting (1–4 Weeks)

This is the most time-intensive part of the process and the most underestimated.

We’re helping clients sort through:

• Decades of belongings 
• Important documents 
• Sentimental items 
• Furniture that may or may not fit in the new space 

Every item requires a decision.

Some clients move through this quickly. Others need more time and that’s okay.

What impacts timing:

• Size of the home 
• How long they’ve lived there 
• Emotional readiness to let go 
• How often we’re working together each week 

Rushing this phase often leads to regret or conflict, so we approach it thoughtfully.

Phase 2: Planning & Coordination (1–2 Weeks, Often Overlapping)

While downsizing is happening, there’s a lot being coordinated behind the scenes.

This includes:

• Scheduling movers 
• Coordinating donation and clean-out services 
• Aligning with realtors or home sale timelines 
• Preparing the new residence 

This phase is where experience really matters. The goal is to keep everything moving forward without last-minute surprises.

Phase 3: Move Day (1 Day)

The actual move typically happens in a single day.

But it’s not just about loading and unloading boxes.

We:

• Oversee the movers 
• Ensure items are handled properly 
• Troubleshoot in real time 
• Keep everything running on schedule 

For families, this is often the most stressful day unless they have someone managing it for them.

Phase 4: Unpacking & Settling In (1–3 Days)

This is the part many people don’t plan for and it makes all the difference.

We don’t just unpack. We set up a home.

That means:

• Furniture is placed intentionally 
• Beds are made 
• Kitchens are fully functional 
• Personal items are arranged with care 

Our goal is simple:
When our client walks in, it already feels like home and they can just start living their lives.

What Can Extend the Timeline?

Some moves take longer and there are very valid reasons why.

Common factors include:

• Larger homes with more belongings 
• Tight deadlines due to a home sale or health event 
• Family members with differing opinions 
• High sentimental attachment to items 
• Waiting on availability for communities or services 

This is why having a flexible, guided plan matters more than a rushed one.

What We See Most Often

Families start out thinking:
“We can probably do this in a weekend.”

And then reality sets in.

They’re balancing:

• Work and family responsibilities 
• Emotional conversations with a parent 
• A long list of logistics they didn’t anticipate 

That’s usually when they call us.

Where We Come In

At Your Tasks Our Time, we streamline the entire process.

We:

• Create a clear, step-by-step plan 
• Keep everything moving on schedule 
• Handle the details families don’t have time for 
• Reduce stress, overwhelm, and conflict 

Most importantly, we meet our clients where they are, emotionally and practically.

Final Thoughts

A senior move isn’t just about how long it takes.
It’s about how it feels along the way.

With the right support, it can feel calm, organized, and even empowering.
Without it, it often feels overwhelming and rushed.

A Direct Ask

We specialize in helping seniors (65–105) who are:

• Downsizing from a long-time home 
• Moving into a senior community 
• Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin 

If you know a family asking, “How long is this going to take?”That’s the perfect time to connect us.

Referrals from realtors, senior living communities, healthcare professionals, and families allow us to support more people through this transition with care and dignity.

The post How Long Does a Senior Move Really Take? appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

It’s about memories, identity and control. And often, a major life transition brought on by health changes, loss, or safety concerns.

For adult children, the instinct is to jump in and “get it done.” For parents, that can feel overwhelming… or even heartbreaking.

At Your Tasks Our Time, we see this every day. The families who navigate downsizing best aren’t the fastest, but they are the most thoughtful in how they approach it.

Here’s how to support your parents through downsizing—without damaging the relationship along the way.

1. Ask Questions Instead of Giving Orders

When emotions are high, even well-meaning direction can feel like pressure.

Instead of:

• “You can’t take all of this.”
• “We need to clear this out.”

Try:

• “What feels most important for you to bring?”
• “What would make your new space feel like home?”
• “What worries you most about this move?”

This simple shift changes everything. It keeps your parents involved, respected, and in control of their decisions.

2. Give Them Time (Even When You Feel Rushed)

We understand sometimes there is urgency. A house is sold. A fall has happened. A move date is looming.

But here’s the truth: rushing decisions often creates more resistance, not less.

What looks like “just a box of papers” to you might represent decades of life to your parent.

Allow space for:

• Processing emotions
• Revisiting decisions
• Saying goodbye

When seniors feel rushed, they dig in. When they feel supported, they move forward.

3. Respect the Story Behind the Items

One of the quickest ways to create conflict is to minimize what something means.

Avoid:

• “This is junk.”
• “Why would you keep this?”

Instead, lean in:

• “Tell me about this piece.”
• “Where did this come from?”

You’re not just sorting belongings, you’re honoring a life lived.

And often, once someone feels heard, they’re far more open to letting go.

4. Focus on What They’re Gaining

Downsizing can feel like loss, but it’s also a step toward relief.

Gently reframe the conversation around:

• Less home maintenance
• Increased safety
• A simpler, more manageable lifestyle
• More energy for family, friends, and activities

This isn’t about taking things away. It’s about making room for what matters most now.

5. Create a Plan for the “Most Important Things”

A helpful strategy we use with our clients is creating a clear “yes space.”

That might include:

• A memory bin
• A few cherished furniture pieces
• Meaningful photos or heirlooms

When your parents knows their most treasured items have a place, it becomes much easier to release the rest.

6. Know When to Step Back and Bring in Help

This is where many families struggle.

You’re not just helping, you’re emotionally involved. And that can make even simple decisions feel complicated.

That’s where a senior move manager can make all the difference.

At Your Tasks Our Time, we:

• Guide families through downsizing with compassion
• Handle packing, move coordination, and full setup
• Keep the process moving without pressure or conflict

Most importantly, we act as a neutral partner—so you can focus on being a son or daughter, not the “decision enforcer.”

Final Thoughts

Downsizing isn’t just a logistical process, it’s a deeply personal one.

Handled with care, it can actually strengthen your relationship with your parent. Handled with urgency and pressure, it can do the opposite.

If your parents or a client, neighbor, or friend—is facing a move and feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

A Direct Ask (Because This Is How We Grow)

We work with seniors ages 65–105 who are:

• Moving to a smaller home or senior community
• Overwhelmed by decades of belongings
• Navigating life changes like illness, loss, or safety concerns

If you know a family in this situation, we would be honored to help.

Referrals from:

• Realtors
• Senior living communities
• Estate attorneys
• Financial planners
• Healthcare professionals

…are how we support more families with care and dignity every day.

The post How Adult Children Can Help Parents Downsize Without Conflict appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Pack a few boxes. Hire movers. Set up the new apartment.

But families quickly discover it’s so much more than that.

At Your Tasks Our Time, we often meet clients at the moment they realize they’re in over their heads. What they thought would take a weekend turns into weeks of decisions, logistics, and emotional weight they didn’t anticipate.

Here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes of a senior move and why having the right support makes all the difference.

Sorting Through Decades of Belongings

This is where it begins and where most families get stuck.

We’re not talking about clearing out a closet. We’re talking about:

• 20, 30, sometimes 50+ years of belongings 
• Papers, photos, collections, furniture, and keepsakes 
• Items tied to memories, milestones, and loved ones 

Every item requires a decision:
Keep it? Donate it? Gift it? Let it go?

What sounds like a simple sorting process quickly becomes emotionally and mentally exhausting.

Without a plan, families often:

• Feel overwhelmed and shut down 
• Disagree on what should stay or go 
• Run out of time before the move date 

Coordinating All the Moving Parts

A senior move isn’t just one service, it’s many.

Families are often trying to juggle:

• Donation pickups 
• Junk removal 
• Movers 
• Realtors preparing a home for sale 
• Senior living community timelines 

Each piece has its own schedule, requirements, and pressures.

When these moving parts aren’t coordinated properly, it can lead to:

• Delays 
• Added costs 
• Last-minute stress 

This is where experience matters, because timing is everything.

Space Planning for the New Home

One of the most underestimated parts of a move?

Figuring out what will actually fit and function in the new space.

Seniors are often moving from a larger home into a smaller apartment or community setting. Not everything can come.

But deciding what should come requires more than guesswork.

At Your Tasks Our Time, we:

• Measure furniture 
• Create a floor plan 
• Help clients choose what fits comfortably and safely 

Without this step, families risk:

• Bringing too much 
• Creating clutter in a smaller space 
• Or having to remove items after the move (which is far more stressful) 

Unpacking and Truly Settling In

Many people think the move ends when the boxes arrive.

In reality, that’s just the beginning.

For a senior, walking into a room full of boxes can feel overwhelming and disorienting, especially after leaving a long-time home.

We focus on making the new space feel like home right away:

• Furniture is placed thoughtfully 
• Beds are made 
• Kitchens are set up 
• Personal items are arranged with care 

So instead of chaos, our clients walk into comfort, familiarity, and calm.

Why Families Underestimate the Process

Most families don’t realize how complex a senior move is until they’re in the middle of it.

They’re balancing:

• Their own work and family responsibilities 
• Emotional conversations with a parent 
• Tight timelines and important decisions 

It’s a lot to carry logistically and emotionally.

Where We Come In

At Your Tasks Our Time, we do more than manage a move.

We:

• Guide families through downsizing with compassion 
• Handle every detail from sorting to setup 
• Coordinate all services so nothing falls through the cracks 
• Reduce stress, conflict, and overwhelm 

Most importantly, we allow families to step out of the “project manager” role and back into being a son or daughter.

Final Thoughts

A senior move isn’t just about relocating belongings.
It’s about transitioning a life.

When done right, it can feel organized, respectful, and even uplifting.
When underestimated, it can quickly become overwhelming.

If you or someone you know is facing a senior move and doesn’t know where to start, we’re here to help.

A Direct Ask

We specialize in helping seniors (65–105) who are:

• Downsizing from a long-time home 
• Moving into a senior community 
• Feeling overwhelmed by the process 

If you know a family in this situation, please connect us.

Referrals from realtors, senior living professionals, healthcare providers, and families are how we continue to support our community with care and dignity.

The post The Hidden Work Behind a Senior Move appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Planning Ahead:

1. Start Early: Begin planning and preparing for your move as far in advance as possible. We recommend starting at least one year in advance of your move. This allows for ample time to sort through belongings, make arrangements, and address any concerns.
2. Assess Your Needs: Evaluate your current living situation and determine what you’ll need in your new home. What do you need and love? Consider factors like accessibility, healthcare facilities, and proximity to family or friends.

Downsizing and Decluttering:

1. Sort Belongings: Begin decluttering and downsizing well before your move. Separate items into categories: keep, donate, sell, and discard. Consider sentimental items and decide what to keep or pass on to loved ones. If family members do not want any of your items, then maybe select 1 or 2 items to gift per family member and tell them the story of why you love the item and why you want them to have the item.
2. Organize Important Documents: Gather and organize important documents such as medical records, financial paperwork, and legal documents. Keep these in a secure and easily accessible place during the move.

Hiring Professionals:

1. Choose Reliable Movers: Research and select a reputable moving company with experience in long-distance moves and a good track record. Get quotes from several companies and compare services offered.
2. Consider Senior Move Managers: Senior move managers specialize in assisting older adults with all aspects of moving. They can handle logistics, coordinate services, and provide emotional support throughout the process.

Packing and Preparation:

1. Pack Strategically: Pack belongings carefully, labeling boxes clearly and prioritizing essentials for immediate use upon arrival. Consider using professional packing services to ensure fragile items are handled with care.
2. Plan for Travel: If flying or driving to your new home, make travel arrangements well in advance. Consider any mobility or health issues and plan accordingly. Ensure medications and necessary items are easily accessible during travel.

Settling into Your New Home:

1. Arrange for Assistance: Upon arrival, have a plan in place for unpacking and setting up your new home. Consider hiring help for tasks like furniture assembly, hanging artwork, and organizing belongings.
2. Explore Your New Community: Take time to explore your new neighborhood and community. Locate essential services, healthcare providers, grocery stores, and recreational activities. Join local senior groups or clubs to meet new people and get involved.

Emotional Support:

1. Stay Connected: Maintain communication with family and friends throughout the moving process. Share your feelings and concerns with loved ones, and seek support when needed.
2. Give Yourself Time: Adjusting to a new home and community takes time. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to settle in gradually. Engage in activities you enjoy and take advantage of opportunities to socialize and build new connections.

Conclusion:

Moving long-distance as a senior requires careful planning, organization, and support. By taking proactive steps, seeking assistance when needed, and approaching the move with a positive mindset, you can navigate the process successfully and embrace this new chapter in your life.

By addressing these key aspects of long-distance moves for seniors, you can provide comprehensive guidance and support to help them transition smoothly and comfortably to their new home and community.

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post Long-Distance Moves for Seniors appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

When seniors move into a senior community, they often have to significantly downsize to accommodate the size restrictions of their new space.

That exercise can be very freeing and can ease the transition to their new home; however, old habits can die hard or not at all and before you know it the new space may quickly fill up. This can cause frustration for the resident, as well as the community. So, what to do?

Determine What is Filling Up the Space

The first thing is to try and determine the root cause of the problem.

• Is it due to health issues or some problem that is out of the resident’s control?
• Is it about habits or lifestyle choices?
• Is it loneliness or fatigue?

Once the root cause is determined it’s much easier to help them navigate the solutions. Health issues can stop a person in their tracks and render them unable to keep up with their space. Factor in medical equipment and the space can quickly become very cluttered. Habits are rarely left behind when a resident moves to a new home.  If they were used to being surrounded by a lot of belongings, then before long the stuff can begin to creep back into their space. Loneliness or fatigue can lead to depression, which in turn can cause the resident to neglect their space.

Finding a Solution

Once the root cause is determined it’s easier to find and implement solutions which may range from adjusting medical, emotional or mental care to engaging professional services, including in-home health care, senior transition or organizing services. Regardless of the root cause, the most important thing is that the resident feels supported and, in a judgement, free space. Which is often the fine line between success and failure.

If you or someone you know is struggling to get organized or needs help the downsizing or moving process, we would love to help. Schedule a free 30 minute consultation today or check out our website for lots of tips and ideas.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post What To Do When a Senior’s Space Becomes a Hazard appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

When seniors move into a senior community, they often have to significantly downsize to accommodate the size restrictions of their new space. That exercise can be very freeing and can ease the transition to their new home; however, old habits can die hard or not at all and before you know it the new space may quickly fill up. This can cause frustration for the resident, as well as the community. So, what to do?

Determine what is filling up the space

The first thing is to try and determine the root cause of the problem.  Is it due to health issues or some problem that is out of the resident’s control? Is it about habits or a lifestyle choice? Is it loneliness or fatigue? Once the root cause is determined it’s much easier to help them navigate the solutions. Health issues can stop a person in their tracks and render them unable to keep up with their space. Factor in medical equipment and the space can quickly become very cluttered. Habits are rarely left behind when a resident moves to a new home.  If they were used to being surrounded by a lot of stuff, then before long the stuff can begin to creep back into their space. Loneliness or fatigue can lead to depression, which in turn can cause the resident to neglect their space.

Finding a solution

Once the root cause is determined it’s easier to find and implement solutions which may range from adjusting health, medical/mental care to engaging professional services, including in-home health care, senior transition or organizing services. Regardless of the root cause, the most important thing is that the resident feels supported and in a judgement free space. Which is often the fine line between success and failure.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post Old Habits, New Space. What To Do When a Seniors Space Becomes a Hazard? appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Before You Begin the Conversation

Before you start the conversation with your loved one, keep a few things in mind.

Be Respectful and Non-Judgmental

A Senior’s possessions represent a lifetime of memories. Dismissing their value as worthless is equal to dismissing the senior’s value.

Don’t Lecture

Most seniors will respond well if you share your concerns and express your desire for them to be in a safe and comfortable environment.  It’s not about forcing them to get rid of things, it’s about helping them to live their best life.

How to Begin the Conversation

How you start the conversation, and the tone you use, can impact the discussion either positively or negatively.  Come from a place of support and love so they understand your desire to help them. Below is a list of questions you can use to get the conversation started.

Open-ended questions will be better to gain more information.

• How are you doing/feeling?
• What’s going on in your life?
• Are you struggling to maneuver in your space?
• Are you able to easily find things that you need or want?
• Are you comfortable with how the space looks or feels?
• What would make you more comfortable?
• Do you need help?
• How can I help?

During the Conversation

Getting the conversation started is a step in the right direction.  Keeping the conversation going in a positive direction is just as important. Remember these key points as you progress through your discussion.

Simply Listen

This is probably the most important step in the process. When seniors let go of their possessions, it often feels like a loss of control. By listening to their wants, needs and desires, you’re helping to ensure that they are maintaining control.

Ask Questions

Allowing seniors to tell stories about the past as you sort through their possessions can help ease some of the anxiety during the process of letting go.

Pick Your Battles

Arguing over every item is going to end with lots of hurt feelings and no progress. Letting go takes practice and patience. Keep reminding your loved one of the ultimate goal … for them to live their best life.  It will get easier as they become more comfortable with letting go.

This process won’t be done overnight.  It’s not uncommon to go through an entire home 2 to 3 times to achieve the desired goals.  So be kind.  Be patient.  And remember, you may be in a similar situation yourself in the future.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks – Our Time, Inc

The post How to Start a Conversation with Seniors About Downsizing Their Space appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

The Emotional Toll

Many seniors will feel like they are letting go of a lifetime of memories. It’s vital to bear in mind that their belongings are not “just stuff” and it’s important to respect that feeling of loss they may have during the downsizing process.

Set Up Zones

Designate several areas or zones around the home for items to donate, sell, give away, and discard. In addition, setup a “maybe” zone for those undecided items.  This is probably the most important zone in the process. Having a maybe pile will keep the project from coming to a screeching halt because your parent is stuck in the decision-making. When you create a maybe pile you are giving your parent the opportunity and space to keep the job moving. It also helps to prevent disagreements about what to keep or let go. Ninety percent of the time, the items in the maybe pile will end up in the donate pile. When creating your zones, small cardboard boxes are better than tubs or bins because they don’t get too heavy and you can simply put them out for donation or give them to family or friends. Be sure to mark the boxes clearly so the items don’t get mixed up in the process.

Where to Start?

The easiest way to get the process moving is to begin with the items that are least valuable to your parent or items they kept out of obligation. Maybe start with all the plastic containers in the kitchen or the linen closets. This is a great way to ease into the work and reduce the anxiety related to such a large undertaking. Also, consider keeping the work sessions to 3-hours or less per day in the beginning. Downsizing is exhausting, both physically and mentally, so keeping the work sessions shorter will ensure you both have the energy to keep the project moving.

The Stuff

The expensive furniture that your parents purchased 30-plus years ago, and took immaculate care of throughout the years is worth a fraction of what they paid for it. The market is flooded with common household items and furniture, which in turn lowers the value of those items. This is often a hard pill for seniors to swallow. After all, they purchased good furniture thinking it would never lose its value or their children would want to keep it.  Family members often don’t want or need their parent’s furniture and that can be another eye opener for seniors.

Selling

There are many online outlets available to sell furniture, however, it can be time consuming and maybe not worth the effort for the money you will make. There are many auction houses, but most are looking for high-end antiques or unusual items that bring in higher bids.

Donating

Donating household items and furniture is always an option and some organizations will pick-up. The key is to do your research and get organized. Sort and categorize your items to donate, because not all organizations take the same items. Some take only clothing. Others will take household items but not books. Others will take furniture. You don’t want to schedule a donation pick-up only to have them leave half of what you wanted them to take.

Discarding

If you have a full house with 30-plus years of items, then you might want to consider renting a dumpster or reaching out to your local junk haulers. Some local waste disposal companies will pick-up a larger load of trash for a fee and some won’t. We recommend calling your waste disposal company to determine the fees before you start putting out multiple bags of trash or large items.

Gifting to Family & Friends

If your home is already full and you have no interest in relocating your parents’ stuff to your home, then you’ll want to be very clear from the start with your parents about what you are willing to bring into your space. We often suggest that our senior clients pick 1 to 3 items that they really cherish and gift those to each family member. Sharing the story of why they love those items makes the gift extra special and more likely that those items will find a place of honor in their home for years to come.

When to Start

The sooner, the better! It took your parents 30 years to fill their home and they are not going to downsize it overnight. It’s better to do a little each week and throughout the year, then to try and knock it out in a month or a couple of weeks. If you do need to get it done in a very short period of time, then it might be best to bring in the professionals. Senior Move Managers can create a customized downsizing plan, manage the removal of unwanted items, provide packing services, coordinate subcontractors and vendors, partner with the family, home heath aids or senior community staff, arrange for shipping and storage and unpack and settle seniors in their new home.

The post How to Help Your Parents Downsize appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Eight Weeks Prior to Move

• Contact moving companies and get three estimates. Make sure you are giving them all the same information so you can get an apples to apples estimate.

Four Weeks Prior to Move

• Gather moving materials. U-Haul has a Moving Supplies Calculator to make the job easier.
• Start packing infrequently used items in the garage, storage areas, attic and out of season clothing.
• Number your boxes and start an inventory list. Boxes should be marked with the name of the room and contents on the top and at least 3 sides of the box. If the items are going into storage it’s best to mark all 4 sides for easy retrieval. Be sure to add an extra label that says “STORAGE” if boxes are being split between your home and the storage unit.

Three Weeks Prior to Move

• Notify utilities services. Request that utilities, phone and internet be shut off the day after your move and installed in your new home the day before arrival if possible.
• Call a locksmith and arrange to have locks changed in new home.
• Hire a cleaning company to clean both homes.

Two Weeks Prior to Move

• Complete and submit change of address forms and have mail forwarded or held.
• Update newspaper and magazine subscriptions
• Notify banks and credit card companies.

One Week Prior to Move

• Create an information sheet for the movers with the old and new addresses, directions and cell numbers.
• Finish packing and be sure to set aside suitcase and sufficient clothing for at least one week.
• Create a last-out, first-in box of day-to-day necessities. Bedding, towels, toiletries, toilet paper, basic tools, cleaning supplies, medications, snacks, and a camera to document anything broken during the move.

Moving Day

• Do a walk through before the movers arrive to verify that everything is packed and afterward to make sure that nothing was left.
• Give keys to real estate agent.
• Meet movers at new home & check items off of inventory list as they are unloaded.
• Inspect for damages and photograph relevant items before signing the release/bill of lading.
• Test faucets, toilets, utilities, phones, smoke detectors, security systems and turn on water heater.
• Call Your Tasks – Our Time to help unpack, get settled and hit the ground running!

Planning is the key to managing your move and by taking it one step at a time you can reduce a lot of the stress that comes with any move.

The post How to Manage Your Move – A Moving Timeline appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to Rightsize. You can Rightsize to move or Rightsize to stay in place. Either way, the goal is to create a space that lets you live your best life. It’s about determining how your space and belongings are going to serve you in the future and making a mindful decision about how you want to live going forward.

Rightsize to Move
If you want to Rightsize to move, the goal is to create a space that serves your current and future needs. Here are some reasons you may choose to move.

• Costs – Home maintenance, home repairs, utility bills, taxes and home insurance can all be a financial burden on a senior’s income.
• Health – Physical limitations and medical conditions can create challenges in daily home upkeep. One fall or illness can drastically impact your future living condition.
• Lifestyle – A warmer climate, being near the children, being part of an active senior community can be an enticing reason to move.

Rightsize to Stay-in-Place
Rightsizing to stay in place is all about access, safety and stuff. To create a space that allows you live your best and most comfortable life. Let’s talk about some of the reasons you would choose to Rightsize in place.

Freedom from Stuff
One of the benefits is a tremendous sense of freedom from your stuff and surrounding yourself with only those things that you love and need. It can free both your mind and your heart so you can focus on those things that you enjoy and bring you happiness.

Easier to Clean
When you have less stuff, it will be easier to perform daily activities of living and the space will be safer, easier to de-clutter and clean.

No Place Like Home
Many develop an intense connection to the home they may have lived in for 30 plus years. Some preparation to avoid emergencies will be necessary, such as:
• Clearing walkways for canes or wheelchairs
• Adding grab bars in the bathroom
• Removing throw rugs and other trip hazards
• Moving appliances and other items used daily so they can be easily accessible

Rightsizing to Move
Where do you start if you are Rightsizing to move? The most important place to start is with the dimensions of the new space. This will inform your decisions about how many belongings to take. Are you moving to smaller home or a condo? Are you going from five bedrooms to one? Will you have any storage areas available like a garage, attic, basement or storage unit?

Start Small
Our advice is to start small with things you are not attached to, such as, plastic containers or things you have kept out of obligation. Begin the process in smaller spaces and areas you can complete in 1-2 hours, like linen closets or bathroom cabinets.

Group Items
Group similar items together so you can see what you own. This really informs your decision-making process. Create a maybe pile to avoid getting stuck in the purging process.

Measure Twice
Measure the closets in your current AND new space, including linear hanging space, shelves and shoe racks to compare space and determine what to let go and keep.

Basements, Attics & Garages
Basements, garages and attics can be overwhelming and are areas where you may need help physically, mentally and emotionally.

Garage Sales and Storage Units
We do not recommend either. Garage sales are a lot of work with very little return. Storage units are often a waste of money because things go in and never come out.

Rightsizing to Stay-in-Place
For those who want to stay in your current home, Rightsizing is not all about getting rid of stuff, but often about changing and moving things around. Rearranging things you need on a daily or weekly basis so things are easier to manage and to better serve your current needs. What’s going to serve you going forward? That means taking a look at what could be access and safety issues. Is your furniture appropriate for future needs? Will you be able to maneuver a cane, walker or wheelchair between rooms smoothly? Will you be able to reach your clothes or do you need to lower the clothing bars?

Who Can Help?
Once you have made the decision to Rightsize, the next step is to determine how you will get the job done and who can help?

Family & Friends
Family and friends will often volunteer to help and that can be a positive or negative experience depending on the relationship. The main thing to bear in mind is that you should have the final say about what items stay and go. Having said that, you do need to strongly consider your space limitations when de-cluttering and Rightsizing.

Movers
Movers do not Rightsize, Downsize or Organize. They do pack everything, sometimes even the garbage. They will occasionally unpack; however, that consists of taking the items out of the box and sitting them down anywhere there’s horizontal space.

Professional Organizers
Professional Organizers will organize your move by helping you sort, categorize, purge and Rightsize. They will also unpack and put away or unpack and organize once you have moved into your new home, but most do not pack prior to a move.

Senior Move Managers®
SMM are your one stop shop for managing the entire Rightsizing process. They will help you sort, categorize, purge, pack, create a floor plan of your new home, provide resources such as movers, handymen or painters and unpack and settle you in your new home. A SMM will save you time, money and reduce your stress.

What Happens to My Stuff?

Setting Expectations
Where will everything go? It’s a tough question because the market is flooded with common household items. Don’t assume that your children will want your furniture, but be sure to ask in case there is something special they would like to keep. Many people feel that their items are worth more than they are. The market for antiques is not as robust as it was in the past, so that prized antique piece that you paid thousands for 20 or 30 years ago, may be worth much less today.

Research
Research is key to finding new homes for your belongings. Start by sorting and categorizing the items you want to donate. This is important, because you need to know what each organization will accept for donations. Those who live in Pennsylvania are fortunate in that there are many thrift shops, donation organizations and houses of worship that will take common household items and some furniture. New Jersey residents have fewer donation resources available, especially for furniture donations.

Selling Items
There are several ways to sell items including auctions, estate sales and online platforms. Auction items will have to be transported to the place they will be sold and most auction houses will only accept items that are hot on the market and in pristine condition. Estate sales are often held in the home. The items are often priced in advance, however, the bidders actually set the price by what they are willing to pay. EBay, Craigslist, Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace are sites where you can post your items for sale. There are fees associated with most of these methods that can substantially cut into your profits, so choose wisely!

Disposing of Items
If you are Rightsizing over time then you may be able to use your regular garbage company for most or all of your disposal needs. Check with your local garbage company to see what and how much they will take, if they have special pick-up days for large items and if they charge a fee. The fee for your local garbage company is often substantially lower than hiring a junk removal company. If you have a significant amount of garbage, then you may want to check into renting a dumpster or hiring a junk removal service.

When Should I Rightsize?
Now, the sooner the better. Again, 30 to 60 years of stuff is no joke. It took you that long to fill up your home, so you are not going to Rightsize it overnight. You can do it over time, but have a set timeline and a plan so that are prepared for the future and you are creating a space that allows you live your best life.

The post Rightsizing – A How To Guide appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

“It’s not about making the right choice.
It’s about making a choice and making it right.”

― J.R. Rim

Your Tasks – Our Time has been right alongside many clients who may start out with trepidation, but actually relax into the experience.  That is what expertise and training will do.  YTOT is member of the National Association of Senior Mover Managers, and that makes a difference. Click here for some compelling reasons to work with a NASMM professional.

Beyond CCR and CCRC there is CSN, which may appeal to the boomers out there, still running down the highway, sweeping cobwebs from the edges of their minds, riding on the Marrakesh Express.  Read about these folks here, and if you feel like it, join them!

Meanwhile, click the link below for some great information about medicare health insurance options for people of 65.

Medicare Health Insurance Options

YTOT works with several Senior Living Communities in the area.

We partnered with The Bridges at Warwick to offering a lovely Limited-Time Offer.

A $2,000 credit to help make your move as stress-free as possible.

Thank you for Your Time!

Happy Organizing,

Darla Pompilio,

Your Tasks – Our Time, LLC

The post When CCR Turns Into CCRC appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.