Thinking about the need to sell a house or de-clutter so an older person can stay safely at home? Do the job an inch at a time and you'll avoid the overwhelm that hits when you look at the whole job. Tell yourself, "I'm going to clean the garage this weekend," and you're likely to end up with a bigger mess than you started with as things get pulled out and left in new piles. Start with one corner, one closet, one drawer or one shelf, and you have a much better chance of really accomplishing something.

Start small and you'll be able to finish what you started. Looking at what you've accomplished will give you the energy to work on another area tomorrow.

Has It Been Used This Year?

If you haven't used it, worn it, or eaten it in the last year, you probably don't need to pack it or store it. How long has it been since anyone looked at those old magazines? Who uses those strange kitchen appliances and tools that take up so much room? The reading glasses you kept in case you lost your new pair could go to the Lions so someone else can use them. The clothes you've been keeping in case you lose those 20 pounds will be out of style when the time comes anyway.

Do You Have Multiples?

You can only wear one pair of boots at a time. Do you need half a dozen old pillows that weren't comfortable to begin with? You'll never use those 75 cheap advertising pens in the drawer. No one "needs" all the florist vases you held on to or the dusty fruitcake tins from holidays past.

Will It Replace Itself?

Boxes, glass jars, plastic bags, and plastic containers all replace themselves every time we shop. Keep a very small selection and unload the rest.

Use a Box, Not a Pile

Don't make a discard pile. Use a good size box or bag (one that's small enough to lift when it's full). If you make a pile you'll find yourself (or your elder!) sorting through it again and again. The idea is to sort just once.

Instead of asking, "Is this something we should throw away or donate?" try reverse psychology. Ask yourself, "Do I really, really want this object, do I have a real use for it, or will I wonder why I kept it when I unpack it?" If the answers are, "No, no, and yes," then put it in your discard/donate container. When you've finished your small project of the day, get those discard bags or boxes out of the house right away so no one is tempted to start going through them again.