Carol Majewski Joined us today as an AARP volunteer to present a program on Downsizing and Decluttering.  Carol is a retired Nursing Director at DHMC.  She served as the Director of the Operating Room, and then transitioned to a position to enhance the patient experience. In retirement she has been volunteering for AARP and at DHMC.  In the summer she spends some time shuttling patients/families/visitors to the main entrance via a golf cart.
Carol Majewski
I will send a variety of handouts that were distributed at the meeting via email.  Here’s an overview of her presentation. Some of the text has been taken from the PowerPoint presentation Carol presented.
  • Having too much stuff can impede people from relocating or getting health care into their homes. This presentation explored why stuff can be so important for some people and taught us some practical, easy-to-follow tips on downsizing and decluttering.
Photo from AARP
Carol started by presenting some info about AARP.
  • With a membership of more than 38 million people, AARP is the nation’s largest, nonprofit, nonpartisan social mission organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age.
  • Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired educator in her 70’s, with a goal to help older Americans lead lives of independence, dignity and purpose, founded the American Association of Retired Persons in 1958.
Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus (from AARP Powerpoint)
  • In 1999, our name became AARP because our focus shifted to all older adults, not just retirees.
  • AARP continues to change in response to societal changes, but to this day, remains true to our founding goal.
  • Nationally, AARP, Inc. provides many virtual and in-person opportunities for learning, entertainment, and engagement. Check it out at aarp.org.
  • AARP NH, with a staff of five people and more than 150 volunteers, offers fun community events to educate and encourage social interaction. We can help you with our Tax-Aide and Driver Safety community service programs. And by using the power of more than 215,000 members, AARP NH is advocating on your behalf for positive social change. You can stay up-to-date at aarp.org/nh.
  • 2011 marked the beginning of a large age wave with over 10,000 people turning 65 every day in the U.S. for the next 20 years.
  • 15% of America is over 65 right now and in 40 years, 33% of America will be over 65.
  • This will be the largest, most powerful, buying group in America.
  • This may be the LAST time we will have 4 generations still alive at the same time. Our generations are described as the Silent Generation, Baby Boomer, Gen X and Millennials
  • For our older Americans, the age gap between their parents and themselves is about 20 years.
  • And for our Gen Xers, they are 30 to 35 years older than their kids.
  • The 2 oldest generations have the most stuff and both generations want to pass it down to the youngest two generations.
  • We are distinctly different generations, socially & financially.
  • Good Run Research interviewed 1,000 caretakers and the thing that caused the most stress was….the stuff.
  • We have worked SO hard for all of our stuff….and the cold hard reality is… our kids and grandkids don’t want it.
10 Downsizing Tips:
  1. Include your entire family in downsizing activities, this will help you learn what is important to them.
  2. 10-Minute Sweep, rather than looking at all that needs to be done, break it up into small chucks of space to clean and declutter.
  3. Unpack boxes and bags, if you haven’t used it in months or years, do you need to keep it?
  4. Everything should have a place to be located in your home…put things away in the proper place or discard them. When buying new items consider one item in yields one item out.
  5. Do a Four-pile sort, – Keep– Sell– Donate– Trash
  6. Avoid punting decision making to others.  Remember dealing with your stuff will be difficult for your heirs.
  7. When possible, donate, donate, donate
  8. Be realistic about the amount of clothing and food you need.
  9. Pare down photos and papers.
  10. Safely recycle electronics.
A few more tips:
  1. Sort junk mail into a junk mail bin as you enter the house from the mailbox. Do not bring it into the living area of the house.
  1. In your will, designate places – historical or genealogical societies – to send/donate family heirlooms and genealogical family history documents.
  1. When a loved one passes away, display a bulletin board of photos at the wake or funeral. Invite everyone in attendance to pick a special photo and take it home.
  1. Books
    1. Donate books to “Little Free libraries.”
    2. Donate to libraries, community events to get children to read.
    3. Put books you no longer want on a free table in front of your house.
  1. Does your place of employment, or perhaps a place you volunteer or attend have their own free lending library?
    1. Is there a used book bin in your town?
    2. The Used Book Store in MA.
    3. Veterans homes, nursing homes, prisons.
    4. Use books for craft projects. Make a book safe, a planter, or use pages from books for all types of craft projects.
  1. Scanning works well to get rid of books and papers. Just be sure that you have a good electronic filing system, keep backups and know which documents are acceptable as scans. Your local library may offer services to digitize your photos and papers.
  1. Take pictures of sentimental items you no longer want, write a story on the photo, put the photos in an album, then give the items to someone who needs or can use it. Or scan the photos and store them electronically. And another idea, make scrapbooks from your photos and photos of your mementos as gifts for family and friends.
  1. Donation ideas
  1. Putting out tables in your neighborhood so your neighbors can come get something to remember you by
  2. Have a free yard sale
  3. Putting things at the curb with sign free if town or city permits itPutting out tables in your neighborhood so your neighbors can come get something to remember you by
  4. Your caregiver may be interested in items you no longer want.
  5. Homeless shelters, women’s shelters always need things including children’s and baby supplies
  6. Historical societies
  7. Church/religion organizations
  8. Clothes especially vintage to local theater groups or school theater groups – they can sometimes use other vintage items like small appliances, tins – as props
  9. Games, craft material, small exercise equipment may be accepted by senior centers or senior living homes.
  10. Does your town accept recycled electronics, does it have special electronics recycle days?
  11. Does your town dump have a swap shop?
  12. Look for free shredding events – AARP will likely start them again. Staples does offer shredding services for a charge and sometimes has coupons for free or discounted shredding if you drop off something for UPS delivery
  13. Staples and Best Buy as well as your town dump may take electronics, but check to see if there is a charge.
  14. Your local library may accept CDs and DVDs
  15. See if your town has a “Buy Nothing” group on Facebook. People post what they’re looking for and people share what they want to give away
  16. Startup companies, small non-profits and small schools/charter schools may be interested in electronics and in furniture
  1. Donation ideas
  1. Putting out tables in your neighborhood so your neighbors can come get something to remember you by
  2. Have a free yard sale
  3. Putting things at the curb with sign free if town or city permits it
  4. Your caregiver may be interested in items you no longer want.
  5. Homeless shelters, women’s shelters always need things including children’s and baby supplies
  6. Historical societies
  7. Church/religion organizations
  8. Clothes especially vintage to local theater groups or school theater groups – they can sometimes use other vintage items like small appliances, tins – as props
  9. Games, craft material, small exercise equipment may be accepted by senior centers or senior living homes.
  10. Does your town accept recycled electronics, does it have special electronics recycle days?
  11. Does your town dump have a swap shop?
  12. Look for free shredding events – AARP will likely start them again. Staples does offer shredding services for a charge and sometimes has coupons for free or discounted shredding if you drop off something for UPS delivery
  13. Staples and Best Buy as well as your town dump may take electronics, but check to see if there is a charge.
  14. Your local library may accept CDs and DVDs
  15. See if your town has a “Buy Nothing” group on Facebook. People post what they’re looking for and people share what they want to give away
  1. Selling ideas
  1. Sell online with Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay
  2. Have a yard sale
  3. Thrift shops/consignment shops, but if your things don’t sell, consider letting them keep the items to donate them
  1. Tips to help you decide to part with something
  1. Box up things you are not using and put a date on the box. If you haven’t opened the box in six months (or a year if seasonal) take it to an organization that accepts donations or to a thrift shop without opening it. Then do it again.
  2. Ask yourself “Do I even like this?” If the answer is no, out it goes!
  3. Ask yourself “If I didn’t own this, would I buy it?” If not, donate or sell it.
  4. For the things you are not using, how much would it cost to buy a new one if you really need it in the future, and would it be available? It may be worth it to donate an item of low value, and repurchase the newer version in the future if you need it.
  5. If you are downsizing now, or just thinking ahead, you won’t have space for everything. As you evaluate what to keep, consider (1) will the item fit with your new environment and lifestyle – you may not want dark furniture in your new home down by the beach – and (2) how much will it cost to move the item – professional moving is not cheap.
Remember, You Can’t Take It With You!