Prime Time

POSTED: Sunday, Mar. 22, 2009

Less is more for this senior, despite challenges

Name: Lisa Hoehler

Age: 87

Residence: Bellingham for seven years

Children: Three boys

Grandchildren: Two

Multiple moves for a variety of needs: Hoehler and her late husband, Fred, first moved from a three-acre property in Portland, Ore.,to "a one-story home on the south side of Bellingham." Later, Hoehler downsized again to The Willows, a Bellingham retirement community.On change: "Each move is a bit of a loss," she says. "There are things you'd like to keep but cannot."

Considerations: When shopping for a home, keep the floor plan in mind, Hoehler says. A one-story home is often better-suited to seniors whose mobility is limited. "We had two sets of staircases at our home in Portland. It was getting to be too much to go up and down."

Family involvement goes a long way: Children can be saviors during the downsizing process, especially girls, she says. "My boys were always helpful, but girls know what needs to be done. Girls come in and start emptying the wastebasket and ask if we need a ride to the store. Sons aren't as good at things like that. That doesn't mean I love them any less, they just fulfill a different purpose."

Pets: For her second move to a Bellingham senior facility, Hoehler says it was important to find a place that would accommodate her cat Sparky. "I needed a ground floor apartment with a back door for Sparky. He is a connection to my husband and when I come home to my little apartment, there he is, waiting for me."

Big home vs. small apartment: "I have discovered that although we have maids to help (at the facility), it is much harder to keep a small place than a big place. In a big place the filth doesn't show and if it does all you have to do is go to another room."

Paring down: Hoehler says the transition from a 3,600-square-foot home to a small one-bedroom apartment will make anyone take a hard look at their personal belongings. "We had so much space there," she says. "Here you just have to jam everything in that you need and now my closets are stuffed to the brim."

Trade-offs to living in a retirement facility: Hoehler says there is a sense of being a prisoner in your own home, but "in return you get company, almost every moment of your day planned and you feel safe."

The little things: "I have a small garden here and it gives me great pleasure. As tiny as it is, I couldn't take care of anymore."

What to save: Keep the items that have the most sentimental value, like photos or personal art, Hoehler says, pointing to the framed watercolor paintings on her apartment wall.

For the kids: "Make sure to give some of your stuff to your kids. It's fun, because when you go over there you get to see all your old things."

Letting go: You have to let go of things you things you love, but aren't necessary, she says. "Once in a while you miss something that is not that important. But you still think 'Oh, damn, I miss that.'"

Pet peeve: "I let my car go. I really miss driving."

Low-maintenance living: "I am actually quite lazy," Hoehler says. "I enjoy being retired and I don't have to do much here. We do have to do our own laundry, that's about it."

Modern challenge: "I am ticked off that I am way behind on the cell phone and computer technology," Hoehler says. "It is so difficult to catch on and I'd really like to be able to use it more."

Looking back: "I wish I hadn't spent that year alone at home. There really was no point to it."

Advice on downsizing: "Do not, under any circumstances, try to have a yard sale to get rid of your things." If you do decide to sell most of your belongings, have a family member take care of it for you, she says. "It is terribly difficult to watch as your things are sold."

Help when you need it: When it is time to downsize, Hoehler says there are a few ways to get help. "One, you can hire it or, two, you can dragoon your kids into doing it," she says. "But the best way to get help is to just expect it."