Resource: Downsizing Checklist for Seniors

Host a Yard or Online Sale
Donate Items to a Nonprofit
Pass Down to Friends or Family
Recycle or Trash Leftover Items

Step 1: Create a Plan

Decide on a Moving Date
Find or Hire Help
Decide on What You Can’t Live Without
Notify Your Friends and Family

Step 2: Organize Future Floor Space

Measure the Rooms in Your New Home
Measure the Furniture You’ll Be Taking
Sketch a Floor Plan Layout to Get a Vision of How the Space Will Look
Predetermine Where Larger Furniture Will Be Placed

Step 3: Tackle Smaller Areas

Identify Areas of Your Home You Don't Use Regularly to Tackle First
Sort Contents Into Yes or No Piles
Clean Thoroughly to Remove a Step in the Moving Process
Move on to Your Next Area to Tack

Step 4: Get Rid of Unwanted Items

Step 5: Move Larger Areas

Organize the Kitchen and Bathrooms
Sort Utensils, Appliances, Cleaning Supplies, Etc.
Move on to the Bedroom, Sorting Everything You'll Keep and Discard
Pick a Day to Tackle the Attic and/or Garage

Step 6: Prepare Moving Paperwork

Contact Utility Services (Internet, Electricity, Water)
Update Billing Address
Notify the Post Office of a Change of Address
Organize Personal Documents (Birth Certificates, Passports, Financial Records)

Quick Tips

Create a Plan
Start Early
Find Help
Take Your Time