Steps for Organizing, Downsizing, and Preparing for a Move to Retirement or Long-Term Care
- Michelle Jamieson
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
Moving is a significant life transition—especially when downsizing to a smaller home, retirement community, or long-term care (LTC) facility. It’s more than just packing up boxes; it’s an emotional process that involves sorting through years of memories, making tough decisions, and adapting to a new lifestyle. Whether you’re preparing for a move yourself or helping a loved one, having a plan in place can make the process smoother and less overwhelming. Here’s a step-by-step guide to organizing, downsizing, and transitioning with ease.
Step 1: Create a Plan
Before diving into the process, take some time to outline your goals and timeline. Ask yourself:
✅ What is my ideal moving date?
✅ What items will I need in my new space?
✅ What services or support might I need?
A Golden Age Move Manager can help create a customized project plan, ensuring every step of your transition is organized and stress-free.
Step 2: Start Downsizing for Retirement Move Early
Sorting through belongings can be the most challenging part of a move, both physically and emotionally. Start small by focusing on one area at a time:
Sort Items into Categories: Keep, donate, sell, recycle, or pass down to family.
Use the One-Year Rule: If you haven’t used it in a year, it may be time to let it go.
Prioritize Essentials: Think about what you’ll truly need in your new space.
If the process feels overwhelming, a move manager can assist with organizing, decluttering, and facilitating donations or disposal of unwanted items.
Step 3: Plan Your New Space
If you’re moving to a smaller home or a retirement community, it’s important to create a floor plan to see what will fit. A move manager can help with:
Measuring furniture and deciding what to bring
Creating an efficient and comfortable layout
Making modifications to your current home if you’re aging in place
Step 4: Coordinate the Move
Once you’ve decided what to keep, it’s time to start packing and making arrangements:
Label and inventory household items for easy unpacking.
Hire professional movers and coordinate logistics.
Prepare your current home for sale with the help of real estate referrals.
A Golden Age move manager can arrange movers, facilitate the move-in process, and more to reduce stress and make selling easier.
Step 5: Settle Into Your New Home
Moving doesn’t end when the boxes arrive! It’s important to make your new space feel like home:
Unpack and organize efficiently to create a cozy, familiar space.
Set up safety features like grab bars or proper lighting if needed.
Get involved in social activities in your new community to build connections.
A move manager can assist with unpacking, setting up your new home, and making the transition seamless.
Make Your Move Stress-Free with Expert Support
Moving is a big change, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or preparing for a new stage of life, Golden Age Move Managers can help make the process smooth, organized, and stress-free.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Golden Age Management today to book a consultation and get personalized support for your move!
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