The Foreign Service Journal, February 2010

20 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0 market. Carrying the costs of two residences for any length of time is not an attractive prospect, even if it is feasible. The Mechanics of the Move Another reason to plan ahead is the chore of downsizing. Ann and I can confirm that downsizing is a wearing proposition that has earned its reputation. Most of us in the Foreign Service have accumulated an amaz- ing array of miscellaneous possessions, and we tend to own a great many books. Your present house or apart- ment is larger than the one you will move to (that’s the idea, after all), and contains a good deal more furniture than you’ll be able to use. Deciding what to keep and what to dispose of is not easy, nor are the mechanics of disposal: Hire a truck (there are services)? Donate to the Salvation Army? Stage an auction or garage sale? For books, the annual AAFSWBookfair or college alumni book sale? We found that passing items to our children was not so easy, either. We’d indicate a desk or wardrobe as one to go, and a son would say, “You can’t get rid of that — it’s a family heir- loom!” We would reply, “OK, then you take it,” only to hear, “We haven’t got room, but it belongs in the family.” Not very helpful. We attended a presentation by a group of ladies who call themselves “The Busy Buddies,” consultants on downsizing and relocation. Their advice was to follow “the rule of three”: plan to retain three pairs of shoes, three blouses, three flannel shirts and so on. Absurdly Spartan, but we got the idea: Unless we were tough- minded, we wouldn’t get the job done. In this connection, given the increasing longevity of Americans and the proliferation of retirement living cen- ters, there are now professionals specialized in advising people on the whole process, from downsizing and the planning of furniture location in the new apartment to interior decoration and supervision of the move. We re- tained such a consultant on the recommendation of col- leagues who had worked with her; when it was over, we realized that her help had been invaluable. She told us to pass the day of the move at a friend’s house, while she and an assistant were in the new apart- ment to greet the movers, supervise the placement of rugs and furniture, hang pictures, put away utensils and china, store clothes, clean the place up, even make the beds and place flowers on the table. We ar- rived in the evening to find our new apartment quite settled. Foreign Service retirees are certainly used to moves, but this one is different from the transfers we are accustomed to. We are not as young and adaptable as we used to be, and there is no general services section. So I recommend retaining an experienced consultant. When and Why to Consider the Change Some questions to ask yourself: • Is the house larger than needed now that the chil- dren are long gone, and therefore wasteful in utilities bills, maintenance and taxes? • Are steps outside and stairs inside, yard mainte- nance, and the removal of leaves, ice and snow all be- coming challenges? • Does it make sense to prepare for inevitable health problems, including particularly Alzheimer’s, by shifting to an environment designed to cope? (According to the director of the Mental Disorders Program at Georgetown University Hospital, half of all Americans over 80 will de- velop some form of dementia.) • Are you concerned not to become a burden on your children, and not to leave them with the responsibility of disposing of your excess paraphernalia? • Should the need arise, is arranging for live-in nurs- ing care in your home really practical and affordable, or does it make more sense to move in advance to where the support is? • Is your equity in your home greater than the cost of an apartment in a senior retirement facility? How do cur- rent bills for maintenance, repairs, utilities and real estate taxes compare to the monthly fees at a retirement com- munity? • Could reducing unnecessary expenses better con- serve resources for travel, study, entertainment, or for children and grandchildren? • If you are single, is loneliness an issue? • Are you aware that, given increased longevity and growing demand, the more attractive senior living facili- ties have long waiting lists? During the current recession, demand has declined, particularly for higher-end facili- F O C U S We must all face up to the fact of aging, and to the unpredictability of its consequences.