Moving in to independent or assisted living.

[llmart]

32. Most people aren't as practical or realistic as you and I.

I've been downsizing since I turned 50. I never was someone who liked having a lot of stuff anyway, so it was easy for me. I don't attach to material items. I pretty much started over at 60 when I divorced. I bought a detached condo and paid cash for it. I owe nothing - haven't used credit in decades. I have two grown children, so my will and trust says they will divide everything 50/50. They have always gotten along very well, and both of them have very good careers and plenty of money, so I don't even worry about them getting anything. I've never been into jewelry or expensive cars. As a minimalist, I tell people that I could close my eyes and probably go room to room envisioning each and every item I own. It's such a freeing lifestyle.

Most of the people in my neighborhood are seniors and some of the stories I hear are ridiculous. Old women in their late 80's who have boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations they never use, Easter decorations, yard tools in site condos where you don't have to do your yardwork. I've witnessed many times people in here dying and the grown kids end up being angry at their parent(s) for leaving such a mess for them to clean out. They have jobs and kids and their own homes to take care of. I've seen 1-800-Got-Junk trucks parked in driveways and stuff being just tossed into it left and right.

I think a lot of people still have that notion that their stuff is "valuable" when in fact very little of it is and most of the time, the grown kids want none of it. So, your advise is good, but I fear it falls on mostly deaf ears in my experience. I am very close to my son and always have been, but physically he's not close by. He lives out of state. My daughter is nearer to me but she has a small child and I rarely see her. Plus, since she's married and I'm not so sure I trust the influence he has on her in certain areas, I prefer to have my son make the decisions if or when I get unable to care for myself.

Quite frankly, I've often thought that if I knew I had something fatal and I was in my 80's, I'd do nothing to prolong my life. I've had a wonderful and interesting life and have done much more than I ever envisioned, so I hope to be very practical about death.