2016-11-09 Meeting

Notes from meeting of Anita Martinez, Lynn Murphy, and Carolyn Gesner

At the coffee shop on Spring Garden, just up from Lynn's place.

Proposed date for Elderberries program on Downsizing : Jan 22 or Feb 12, 2017

Program to be organized by Anita Martinez

• Emotional Aspects of Downsizing
• Who would be speaker(s)??
• Note : If Jan 22, will need to clear with Northwood that we will be doing two January events, as Jan 08 is Impact of Military program with Carolyn Gesner and others.

Emotional aspects of downsizing :

• Negative :
  • resistance to downsizing (either on the part of self, or if helping someone else to do it - "Oh, I can't let that go - Aunt Suzie gave it to me when I was thirteen!")
  • loss of control over life and living conditions
  • not able to keep up home any more either physically or financially
  • may happen at the same time as loss of partner : reluctance to let reminders go
  • may be leaving behind memories and/or hobbies
  • may have to give up pets
  • may be associated with general memory loss
  • "somebody else's house" : living with family or friends who do things in unfamiliar ways, or have little room for the things you want to bring

Other note : (I do not remember the relevance) : Gerard Veldhoven. Possible speaker?

Positive:

• we did not discuss positive emotions which could be part of program
  • e.g., reduced financial stress,
  • less "stuff" to look after

Note : Our meeting was wide-ranging, but these were the points relating to the future downsizing program.