The UMRA Living Well Workshop for November featured a panel of guest speakers who shared their experiences with the challenges of downsizing: UMRA members Gwen Perun and Larry Johnson, and Becky and John Anderson, and Jay Benedict, director of sales and outreach at The Pillars of Prospect Park in Minneapolis.

In his opening remarks, Benedict told the workshop attendees that, according to a study by AARP, about 70% of seniors 65 or older will need to downsize and move. Benedict advised that people start to clean things out early, even if starting with just one closet or donating holiday decor. He also recommended gathering information about senior housing options and getting on waitlists, even if you are not ready to move. He suggested doing these things before serious health issues, limited mobility, or falling make safer living space a necessity.

Gwen Perun and Larry Johnson explored senior housing options for about 10 years, and then a serious bike accident last year spurred them to get more serious about finding the right place. They found it at Marvella in St Paul. They spent six months cleaning out their house in the University Grove neighborhood near the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul, and then decided to hire a company—WellRive (formerly Gentle Transitions)—to finish their downsizing. A person from the company came twice a month for six months to keep the process going. The company packed the contents of the house, arranged the actual move, and helped unpack, lay rugs, hang pictures, and put away dishes.

Perun and Johson also gave things to family; downsized to one car; and used Goodwill, Bridging (for furniture and larger items), and the library for donations. They also “employed” their curb for free take-aways, and took things to the county hazardous waste disposal facility. Finally, they hired a haulage company to take away everything remaining.

Perun admitted the process was hard emotionally at times (she had to find a new home for one of her two grand pianos!), and said she and Johnson both worked to take care of themselves through the downsizing.

Better to move early than to wait

John and Becky Anderson described themselves as “do it yourselfers.” They made the decision quickly to move from their home and large garden of 40-plus years because a unit at The Pillars, that had the right space and light exposure for them, became available. They both felt it was better to move early than to wait until you must move, in part because it can provide more choice as to where you go.

The Andersons did the downsizing themselves, helped by the fact that they first signed the contract at The Pillars and then spent time (about 6-7 months) getting rid of things and cleaning out their house before putting it on the market. 

As for their new community, John Anderson said, “We met and got acquainted with more people in our first six months here than we did in our 47 years on our residential street.” 

Benedict also recommended moving first and then selling your house if you are able, because it provides an opportunity to decide more thoughtfully on what items you might have room for or want in your new space.

In addition, the panel mentioned the following resources:

For donations
ARC’s Value Village
Best Buy (for electronics)
Bridging
Books for Africa
County hazardous waste disposal facilities
Goodwill
Home goods consignment stores
Keys 4/4 Kids
Libraries (for books) 
Minnesota Tool Library (for woodworking and other kinds of tools)
Minnesota Music Teachers Association (for sheet music) 
Pianocycle.com (for pianos)

Donating Personal and Family Items to Museums and Archives
A list compiled by Vicki Gaylord for the UMRA Family History Interest Group, December 2024

Organizations providing help
WellRive
Caring Transitions
North Star Senior Moves
Rose’s Daughters

—Lynn Slifer, UMRA Program Committee