Seniors often move into smaller homes to cut back on costs, eliminate maintenance, or to be closer to family. But even if the move is a much-anticipated event, it takes time to settle into a new house — and this is especially true if you’re running a business while you’re moving. Fortunately, House To Home Organizing is here to share five tips on how to make your new walls feel as welcoming as the ones you left behind.
1. Make safety a priority. Maybe you’ve just begun to notice little twinges of pain when you walk, or perhaps you’re already using a mobility device. Regardless of your current abilities, if you don’t feel completely safe in your new house, you won’t feel at home. Before moving in, evaluate potential dangers such as high bathtub walls and stairs that are too steep. Home Security List explains that simple modifications can make your home much safer. These include grab bars in the bathroom, extra lighting in dim areas, and making repairs to torn or uneven carpet. It’s also important to have your locks changed. Search for locksmiths in your area who get top marks and have been in business for a while.
2. Consider the things you can’t see. Lead, mold and undiscovered rodent or roach infestations can all trigger health complications ranging from allergies to decreased brain function. The presence of airborne particles can cause respiratory disorders and exacerbate other conditions. The EPA reports that moving into a new home may cause serious health effects and notes that indoor pollutants may be caused by human activities – you have no way of knowing what went on in the house before you arrived, making this danger almost impossible to determine until it’s too late. ScienceDirect reports that, “Seniors spend 95 percent of their time indoors,” and that means prolonged exposure to potentially toxic air.
Have your new home’s air checked for issues; even if none are currently present, the easiest and least expensive way to prevent air quality problems is by simply replacing your HVAC filter. Failure to do so will allow harmful dust and debris to pass right through ducts and circulate throughout the interior. If you can’t locate the size, simply use a tape measure to determine each number.
3. Organize your space. One of the best ways to settle into your new home is to get everything organized and put in its place. This includes knick-knacks and decorations you want to show off (more on that in a minute). If you have a lot of important documents and paperwork taking up a considerable amount of space, consider digitizing that content into a PDF file. You can store PDFs on your computer, allowing you to quickly access the info whenever you need. PDFs file sizes can get pretty big, so use free tools online to reduce PDF file size whenever necessary.
Don’t forget that if you want to give your organizing efforts a professional touch, then you need to get touch with the pros at House To Home Organizing.
4. Showcase your favorite things. You might be proud of your new home and want a clean and modern look, but empty walls and barely cushioned couches don’t make a home. Tossing all of your personal belongings in lieu of impersonal décor is a huge mistake.
5. Host a family dinner. Nothing endears a location more than making memories with the people you love. And there are no better ways to make these memories than by cooking and eating a meal together. As soon as you get settled, ask your friends and family to come for Sunday supper. A long afternoon surrounded by smiles and laughter will infuse the atmosphere with happiness and joy.
6. Get involved with the community. Aside from the interactions you enjoy under your new roof, you’ll also feel more at ease by getting to know your neighbors and meeting other like-minded seniors. A quick online search for local senior centers will open up a new social network that can enhance your quality of life both at home and when you’re away.
It’s possible to get comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Make safety your top priority and don’t neglect the issues that can blindside you later down the road. Keep your beloved personal items close and your family even closer. In no time, your new home will feel like you’ve had it forever.
