By Denise Trabolulsi, MSW
Living With Less: A New Year’s Resolution
Whether you are thinking about retiring this coming year, recently retired or even if you have been retired for a while now, taking stock in what you have and planning what to do with it all in the coming years is a good idea. Maybe you are considering a move to a smaller home or feel like you have accumulated too much stuff. Whatever the case may be, downsizing may be on the list of New Year’s resolutions. Downsizing can be defined literally as moving to a smaller home or it can mean reducing or eliminating an accumulation of things.
After the nest has been empty for a while, older adults often find they use less space in their homes and many rooms and areas often go unused. Moving to a smaller home can be more economical with lower mortgages or monthly rent payments, decreased utility bills and fewer maintenance expenses. Moving to a smaller home can also afford people to live in more desirable locations closer to family or friends.
If your plans are to remain in your current home and “age in place” through your retirement years – downsizing or eliminating things can make your home safer and easier to manage. De-cluttering closets and storage spaces, editing the amount of furniture and belongings can also make your home more accessible and reduce the risk of falls.
The idea of downsizing in a home that has been lived in for an adult lifetime can seem overwhelming but developing a plan to downsize incrementally over time can help alleviate some of the fear and anxiety. Start small and set realistic goals. Choose a room or area in your home that you would like to downsize. Sort items in that area into three categories: 1) trash, 2) donate/give away and 3) unsure. If you find all the items end up in the unsure pile, maybe it’s time to hire a professional or ask a friend or relative for help. Employing the assistance of a home organizer who specializes in downsizing is a good idea if you are open to it. There are also companies that specialize in moving seniors that downsize while relocating to a new home.
For more information and resources for downsizing, feel free to contact the Community Resource Center for Aging at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital at (818) 949-4033 or email us at aging-resources@med.usc.edu.