Downsizing can be liberating!

The kids are grown, and you no longer need all those bedrooms. Every year, the yard seems to need more attention. You're retired, and you'd like to travel more without worrying about your home. Maybe your care needs have changed, and you're considering the move to a smaller place or a senior living community closer to children and grandchildren.
Downsizing can be liberating! It frees up many seniors to spend more time doing things they enjoy rather than worrying about their home and possessions. But deciding what to do with a lifetime of furniture and household items can be a formidable task. Here are questions to ask as you decide what to keep, what to part with, and what to do with items you no longer need or have space for:
What are the space limitations of your new home? What furniture and personal belongings will fit? What can you do without? Measure spaces and make a floor plan. Planning ahead will prevent you from running up a formidable bill at a public storage company because you didn't plan ahead.
What should you do with unwanted possessions? Your first thought might be family members—for example, a grandchild who is just setting up living in his or her first apartment. You may wish to give some items to a charity thrift shop or other charitable organization. You might hold a garage sale, or sell items online.
Who can help? If you are worried about the work, decisions and arrangements that need to be made, ask for help. Family and friends are usually eager to get involved, and they can help the process happen quickly and smoothly. Some senior living communities also offer assistance.
What about heirlooms and mementoes?
This can be the hardest decision of all for seniors who are downsizing. Most of us have a corner of our attic or storage space where we keep the special things in our lives—photo albums, old home movies, souvenirs of travels and family events, antiques that have been in the family for generations. Here are some things to remember when sorting through items that have sentimental value:

1. Don't move too fast or too slow. Consult with other family members. If you discard items with sentimental value, you can cause real pain and regret in the family. But if you cling too much to "treasures" you've accumulated over the years, you may be burdening yourself with possessions that serve no good purpose.
   
2. If you have furniture, mementos and heirlooms that you won't be keeping but that might be of interest to your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, invite them to come over and make some selections. Be clear about your timeline. This visit can be a wonderful opportunity to share old memories and family stories.
   
3. Go digital with old home movies, photos and slides. These can now be converted safely and inexpensively. Perhaps a grandchild or other young family member would be a willing volunteer.
   
4. It is a real gift to your family to take the time to label pictures, furniture and other mementoes so that others can appreciate their family significance. It's satisfying to ponder that future generations will know that the little yellow teacup came over from England with Great-Grandma Beatrice, or that the stern-looking fellow in the painting was Great-Uncle Horace, who opened the first feed store in the township.