Seniors: downsizing without stress, from a house to a flat

The stairs have become too steep, the garden too big. Madeleine made the decision herself: she will leave her house in Montreux for a 2-room flat with a lift, close to the centre. Her daughter Sophie, who lives in Geneva, wanted to organise everything. Madeleine set one condition: "I'm the one who chooses."

That is the key to the whole process. Downsizing isn't just about square metres: it's choosing what comes with you into the next chapter of your life.

Start with the new home, not the old one

Instead of asking what to throw away, Sophie and Madeleine first drew the floor plan of the new flat and placed the favourite pieces: the reading armchair, grandmother's chest of drawers, the table where the family plays cards. Whatever fits comes along. Everything else is decided afterwards, with no pressure.

Short sessions, at the right time

• ✓Two hours per session at most: tiredness makes every decision harder.
• ✓Mornings rather than evenings, when energy is there.
• ✓One room at a time, starting with the one that matters least emotionally.

Passing things on while you can see them used

The porcelain set went to a granddaughter who had just moved in, the garden tools to a neighbour, the books to the local library. Madeleine saw her belongings start a new life, and it became the happiest part of the move.

1. 01List the things to pass onAsk each relative what would mean something to them before offering the rest to charities.
2. 02Keep memories in a compact formA selection of scanned photos, a copied-out recipe book: less space, as much memory.
3. 03Recreate familiar landmarksPlacing familiar objects in the same relative positions (the lamp to the left of the armchair) helps the new flat feel like home from the first evening.

"I thought I was going to lose my home. In fact, I took what mattered with me, and everything else made someone happy." — Madeleine

Patient, respectful support

An outside person often brings the calm families need: they handle the organisation, let the older person decide and take pressure off relatives. LémanSpace offers this support at home, across Geneva, Vaud and Valais, in French, English or Italian.