Planning makes a transition easier

Facing medical concerns, 75-year-old Bill Giesenhagen and his wife moved out of their single-family home near Denver last month and into an apartment in an assisted-living community.

He and wife Maggie downsized the right way, starting to plan their move in 2006 and giving themselves enough time to adjust to their new lifestyle. They hired a senior relocation specialist to help them get organized and deal with the emotional task of selling off belongings they could no longer keep.

Giesenhagen, a diabetic and open heart surgery survivor, and his wife lost almost half their living space when they moved into an 1,800-square-foot apartment at Classic Residences by Hyatt, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. But there, he receives fast medical care should he need it, a relief to his wife, who still works and often travels.

"She was concerned about my being by myself at home," said Giesenhagen, a retired general contractor. "We don't have to worry about that anymore."

The Giesenhagens' transition to a smaller home was almost seamless, but for many people 55 and older, making the decision to move from a house into a smaller apartment, condo, assisted-living facility or nursing home can be a source of stress, apprehension and fear.

"It's overwhelming for both sides, physically and mentally," said Nan Hayes, president of MoveSeniors.com, one of many Web sites that helps seniors find relocation resources.

Ideally, the decision to downsize is voluntary and well-planned. Other times, financial circumstances, the desire to be closer to family, health issues, a spouse's death or other crises force a move, requiring emotional decisions by seniors and their adult children.

More than 75 million baby boomers are approaching retirement, and, while most will likely stay put, some will be leaving their longtime residences behind.

Elinor Ginzler of AARP recommends starting the planning process early, even years before the actual move. Early planning makes dealing with a crisis situation, such as a health issue, a bit more manageable.

Lines of communication must be kept open between adult children and senior parents to make the switch easier.

Relocation can be disorienting, confusing and depressing. Seniors should not feel like a burden if they need to lean heavily on family and friends for advice and guidance. They also should learn ahead of time about the services available in their new community.

Seniors should ask around for a reputable moving company and review their contract to make sure there are no hidden fees. There are many resources to help. Certified relocation and transition specialists, for example, help seniors make the transition into their new living space. But costs for their services can run into the thousands of dollars.

Other good places to start researching include Move Seniors.com, the National Association of Senior Move Managers, and Web sites such as seniormovesrelocation.com and agentlejourney.net.

"We understand the language of tears during the letting-go process," says Sally Allen, chief executive of A Place For Everything, who helped the Geisenhagens move.

Relocation specialists assess what belongings will be moved and how much space is available at the new location. They review the floor plan of the new home to determine what will fit, and helps the family sort their possessions.

Some people may be reluctant to get rid of possessions that won't fit in their less spacious homes. Families must decide what stays and what goes. Unwanted items can be disposed of through auction, estate sales or donation, which the relocation specialist helps organize. Specialists also help pack, schedule moving times and sets up the new layout.

"You try to re-create their space as best you can, especially when you are dealing with dementia and Alzheimer's," says Betsy Peterson, a relocation specialist from Oak Ridge, Tenn.