April Cassidy had the perfect plan to help her in-laws downsize into their new home. In the weeks before their move-out date, she would help them declutter, organize, and pack up just enough belongings to fit into the smaller residence. Even though she expected a challenging and emotional process, she was confident that they’d succeed — until a misstep changed everything. Cassidy discovered that her in-laws had miscommunicated the move-out date with their buyer, who expected to move into the home in a matter of days, not weeks. In a panic, “We got everything loaded on a U-Haul and then just stacked it all in a few sheds in the [new] back yard and throughout the house in closets,” Cassidy says. “Many of the boxes sat unopened until my in-laws both passed away 13 years later,” says Cassidy, regretting that the family never got around to decluttering after the expedited move. As Cassidy’s story goes to show, even the best downsizing plans can go awry, creating stress for senior parents and adult children alike. If you’re helping your parents downsize, you’ll need a solid plan, plenty of lead time, and heightened emotional awareness to carry out this move. With expert advice from three downsizing professionals, we’ll help you prepare for every phase of your parents’ downsize, including how to:
