Buy (or bring) a soft-sided couch.
The new retirement unit is the place your parents will grow older in, so Prell suggests you think about safety at every turn. Avoid anything with an exposed wood frame so there's nothing hard for them to hit if they fall, and pick items that are the right height for them to grab if they need support.
It's probably time for a new bed.
Space is one reason to invest in a new bed -- a king- or queen-sized bed is likely to take up the entire bedroom, so unless your parents really need the larger bed, it may be time to downsize to a full. A bed that's closer to the ground might also be safer and easier to get in and out of. (Stay away from superfirm mattresses, says Prell, which can be hard on brittle bones.)
Pare down the kitchen.
A parent whose identity resides behind the stove may have a hard time leaving baking sheets and mixing bowls behind. But since most retirement communities provide meals, all your parents really need is the basics: a pot, a pan, and a few microwave-safe dishes. Sharp knives may be prohibited -- even if your parents don't have cognitive issues, others in the complex do, so anything sharp can be dangerous.
Store the linens -- or use the extras yourself.
Most retirement communities will launder sheets and towels for residents, so your parents won't need more than two sets on hand.
Put out-of-season clothes in storage.
Pack unneeded winter or summer clothes in plastic bins rather than overloading small closets -- most retirement communities offer storage for off-season items.
Great article, despite the the fact I'll have to do the downsizing myself. It's the books I'll have most trouble giving-up, although there aren't enough years to read all those I haven't yet gotten to. Many are even research material, since I still intend to continue writing for publication for the rest of my life. Yes, yes. Great Grandmother Elsa
My sister did a layout of the new Senior apartment that they moved into first. Placed the furniture that would fit into the layout, and then we had to 'store' the rest. Mom and Dad actually moved into a guest apartment first, so that they would not be at their home when the movers came. We had to do a lot of weeding out of things (a junk store made 3 trips with a large van to get the items we thought were garbage), we kept the good things, let them see only the items that were going into the apartment. When it came time to move them to assisted living apart (half the size of the senior apartment), it was more difficult because they were there. Most difficult part was getting rid of the clothing that Mom doesn't wear. She still has a lot of items that she does not wear that I am taking away one at a time with the laundry....
The suggestion of a full size [as opposed to queen or king] bed is pretty funny. Have you tried to sleep in a full size bed with another person, honestly? Most seniors I know now have kings and sleep comfortably through the night.
I agree with Jennifer, the senior move manager...pick your battles! Another tip is to have a "downsizing party" with your family. Put all of the things you want to remain in your family and invite everyone over to go through it. Make it fun! From a fellow senior mover: http://www.gentletransitions.net
Excellent advice! Especially asking for things that don't fit. It's a smart way to honor your loved ones, increase their self worth, & be of practical assistance all at the same time.