April 2022 Senior Newsletter

DOWNSIZING ADVICE

Downsizing Advice

room, but do not move on to any other part of your home until that room is completely done.” He explains that bouncing from one area of the home to another makes it easy to miss things, and worse, leaves you feeling like you haven’t accomplished anything. Once you have sorted everything in one room, take a moment to congratulate yourself on your progress and move on to the next room. Plan For The Items You No Longer Need “Downsizing feels complicated, but there are only five choices for each item in your home,” Roemer explains, and provides the key steps to ensuring success. 1. Select items to keep which you regularly use and small treasures that you truly love. This article was submitted by Smith Crossing, a senior living community located in Orland Park (10501 Emilie Lane). To learn about Smith Crossing, visit smithcrossing . org or call 708-326-2300.

Ric Roemer, founder of Creative Home Services, has helped hundreds of residents streamline the process of moving to Smith Crossing, a life plan community in Orland Park. He guides the process of downsizing so they can sell their home and make sure they bring their treasures with them as they embrace a new lifestyle. “Smith Crossing offers a variety of floor plans, and all include ample storage,” says executive director Amanda Mauceri. “Our residents find that they still have space for the things they need and love.” For those that need help with their moving process, Mauceri and her colleagues recommend working with Creative Home Services because “The trustworthy, experienced local professionals work exclusively

with older adults and understand their unique needs.” Roemer first meets in prospective clients’ homes to help them devise a plan and to prepare a budget. Then they work side- by-side with clients through every step in the process: sorting belongings; organizing items for an estate sale; coordinating donation details; packing; managing the moving process and setting up their new home at Smith Crossing on the day they move there. Choose a Place to Start Getting started is often the biggest challenge. Roemer suggests the best strategy is to choose a single room. “Go through every closet, shelf, tabletop and drawer,” Roemer says. “Make a choice about everything in that one

18 | ORLAND PARK SENIORS

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