4 Simple Questions to Ask Before You Downsize to a CCRC

Should you downsize to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)? It’s a big question and it has no simple answer. Before you make your decision about downsizing to a CCRC, ask yourself these questions. The following considerations are for seniors who no longer have adult children living at home.

Should You Downsize to a CCRC?

Can I Part with My Stuff?

The basic rules of downsizing dictate that you start downsizing your belongings sooner rather than later, but what if you are uncertain you can part with your things? If you are uncertain, perhaps you should start with some simple decluttering to clear the space and clean things up a little bit. This is the best way to downsize to a CCRC.

After you try a small step, you may find yourself more prepared to take the next step toward downsizing. Especially, if you realize during your declutter that you have a lot more space than you need. Start small and go through the items you may have kept for your adult children. The easiest stuff to get rid of should be things that don’t really belong to you. Ask if your children want any of it and if not you can sell, donate, recycle, or toss. Unsure which to do? There are companies, like Everything But the House, that can help you capitalize on your clutter.

Can I Continue Taking Care of My Home

Routine home care like mowing the lawn or shoveling snow can become substantially more difficult as you age. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, but sometimes you have to be honest with yourself about your abilities while assessing your future physical stamina. 

One solution is downsizing to a smaller space that is easier to manage. Another option is a CCRC, which covers all maintenance of the property. If you no longer want the stress of maintenance, moving to a community might be your best bet.

Can I Grow Old in My Home

Studies show that nearly 90% of seniors 65 and older want to stay in their home for as long as possible while they age. Unfortunately, this is not possible for everyone. Whether it’s a change in health or mobility, it may make this option more difficult. Especially if the layout of your home is not conducive for aging in place. Things like climbing stairs, for example, can become more challenging as you age. Particularly if you should need assistance walking after a surgery or develop difficulty maintaining balance. So, determining where you ideally want to age is a major consideration. The benefit of downsizing to a CCRC is that all areas of the campus are designed to be accessible. 

Do I Really Need My Extra Space

Though it is true that downsizing requires you to lose some of the perks of a larger house, you need to ask yourself if it’s worth it? Do your adult children need a place to stay or will they be just as comfortable in a hotel or Airbnb?

Clinging onto your home just because it’s spacious or big isn’t always a good reason to stay. In fact, there is a good chance you aren’t really using all that room to begin with. One way to determine if you need all your space is to walk through your home room by room and ask yourself a simple question; when was the last time I spent time in this room?

If your answer is “not in a while” or “I only use it for storage” downsizing might be a good choice for you.

With all the senior living options today, researching each of them can be exhausting. To help, we have created your FREE Continuing Care Retirement Community Guide to get you started.