Many seniors have a plan to pay for assisted living expenses with the sale of their home. This process brings with it the challenges of moving and downsizing their household. Overwhelming and intense emotions, lots of difficult decisions and plenty of physical work makes many seniors put off something that must be done.

While it is an inevitable part of moving to a new home, downsizing can be especially tough for seniors. Things they’ve accumulated over a lifetime, things with sentimental value that remind them of loved ones who are no longer here, are so hard to let go of. Our past is a big part of who we are, and often physical items hold the essence of our past. If these issues aren’t confronted, they may just become a barrier to moving.

Fortunately for family members, there are some strategies you can try to ease the process, and unblock the resistance.

Enlisting the help of trusted friends or family can often help ease the pain of letting go of things that have memories associated with them. It can be helpful to share the memories with others. It also makes the process less overwhelming and time-consuming.

Emphasize donating items to charity. The thought of helping someone else with the things they no longer use can go a long way toward making the process more bearable for seniors.

For some families it can be worthwhile to use a senior move manager to smooth the transition. This is a professional who can assist seniors with tough decisions about what to throw, what to give away, and what to keep. The have lots of knowledge about resources for seniors who are going through the downsizing process. They also have lots of ideas about how to address the natural fears and anxieties about moving.

Learn more about moving a senior loved one into adult family homes in Vancouver, WA.