Michael is close to 80 years old and lives in a large home alone. His wife died several years ago due to cancer. Michael’s adult daughter lives out of state, has children of her own and visits often. Michael’s health is diminishing and his daughter is growing concerned about him living alone. She would feel more at ease if she knew her father was in a safe place getting socialization and consistent care. Michael put a deposit down for a cottage at a local senior community he liked. It’s time for Michael to downsize a 5-bedroom home into a cottage apartment. He is not 100% happy with moving. He loves his home and his independence. However, he realizes the home he has now is too big and he can’t maintain it as he would like.
Problem
- Michael has lived in his home for over 30 years. He has to pack and move from a large home with 5 bedrooms into a cottage apartment. He is unsure what will fit in the new space and he doesn’t know what to do with the items he doesn’t keep.
- Packing and moving would be physically too difficult for Michael to do on his own.
- Michael has many appointments with contractors, doctors, and realtors, and he is forgetful.
- Michael’s realtor suggested several fixes before putting the home on the market. His home maintenance to-do list is overwhelming.
- Michael’s daughter, Ashley lives several hours away. She also works full-time and has children of her own.
Ashley and Sara talk to discuss the situation. Ashley knows her father will have a difficult time going through items and making decisions and it will cause frustration and arguments between them if she helps. She also worries the process of moving and selling the home will be too much for her father to handle. Ashley needs a trusted partner to get her and her father through this transition.
Step 1 – Initial Consultation
Sara and Michael meet at his home and walk through the house room by room. Michael shares great stories and Sara is able to identify a plan and sets goals, prioritizing rooms/areas according to Michael’s stamina, his to-do list from the realtor and contractors, Ashley’s schedules, his move-in date at the senior community, and so on. The plan includes:
- Decluttering and organizing services
- Finding donation, and consignment resources
- Creating a floor plan
- Scheduling and preparing for moving/packing services
- Unpack services
Step 2 – Sessions
Together with Sara Michael determines what to donate, consign, sell, throw away, etc. Sara assists with getting items to their final destination and coordinating hauling services, antique appraisals, donations of unique items to nonprofit organizations, etc. Every drawer and closet, the attic, the basement, every area of the home is consolidated and cleared.
Contact with Ashley is maintained virtually to get her decision on items and to keep her abreast of what is happening.
Simultaneously furniture and items are packed and marked for Michael’s new home. Sara designs a floor plan according to the apartment Michael is moving into. Sara does her best to include everything he wants to keep in the floor plan.
Step 3 – Move Day
Michael moves to his new home.
Step 4 – Unpack
Items are unpacked and set up in the new space to mimic his previous home as best as possible. Empty boxes are broken down and recycled.
Result
Michael’s house is empty for the contractors so they can painting and prepare the home for sale. The realtor is able to take clean, and updated pictures for the sale listing. Michael is able to sell his home for a good price. He takes comfort knowing he was able to go through items and know where everything ended up. Ashley appreciates not arguing over the stuff, and not taking on the stress of such a large project.
Micheal was able to downsize a 5-bedroom home into a cottage apartment. The process was painless and Michael felt supported all along the way. He wasn’t open to moving initially but he did move with little stress and full support! He is happy to be in his new home and enjoys his time in a home that doesn’t require maintenance.
