The decision to downsize and move, whether it is to a smaller residence, a nursing home or assisted living, is a big one and is significant for anyone, especially a senior. There are both physical and emotional aspects of this type of relocation and it’s more than just packing and calling a moving van.

Here are a few tips to help the move go smoothly:

Be tactful – What looks like junk to you may be important to someone else. Be gracious and gentle with suggestions about sorting possessions, ask permission before discarding anything.

Accept gifts and reassure the giver they’ll be cared for – Even if you aren’t in need of the item being offered, accept when possible. A senior may feel some relief knowing that a treasured possession is staying in the family. Be sure to find out about any history the item may have.

Begin the sorting process in room with less sentimental attachments – Sorting through possessions to downsize can be emotional. Beginning the process in a room that holds fewer memories such as the laundry room or storage closet.

Hire help – It can be helpful to have a neutral party involved to help make the sorting process easier. Many companies specialize in moving seniors, consult agencies listed in such directories as National Association of Senior Move Managers.

Take pictures – Photos of the new residence can help you gauge how much room there is for furniture and possessions and photos of how things were arranged in the old residence allow people to help set up the new place as well as provide a keepsake.

Be patient, allow the senior to say goodbye – Moving is hard for anyone. When you’ve lived in the same place for many years it’s harder and the process saying goodbye may take a while.

Allow adequate time for packing – It takes a lot of time to sort and move many years of possessions. Be realistic about how much time people can devote to the task. Consider a storage unit if there are things that the owner can’t bear to part with at the moment. It may be easier to sort some things after the emotions of moving wear off.

Involve the senior – What do they want their new place to look like? Do they want things the same or is a new look in order?

Moving day – If possible, arrange for someone to be on the receiving end of the move to begin setting things up in the new residence so there’s a comfortable place to sit and it won’t look stark and empty.

With a little planning, the transition might not be as stressful as everyone fears.