ASK THE EXPERTS ABOUT
General LGBT Aging Issues


Q Clutter
  Mar 21, 2008

I've lived in my apartment for over 40 years and it shows! How can I get some help to make my space livable again?


A Response from Dr. Kooden

Hi,

I bet that many people reading this feel this applies to them too. What do you mean by clutter? Is it the usual 40 year accumulation of no more space for nick nacks or no space to sit down or walk? Is is messiness or real Collier Brothers' mess (Does anyone remember who the Collier Brothers were?). I will assume it is serious mess but you do have walk and sitting space.

If you live in NYC, there is always the phone book and the LGBT Community Service Center publication. There are professionals who do nothing but help people organize their physical lives while teaching them an approach for dealing with possessions. If you are a member of SAGE, call and ask if they have a referral for this kind of person. I see these ads all the time in the Village Voice or Chelsea-Clinton News.

If you do not want to hire someone, then think about contacting SAGE or a local senior citizen center and ask if they have a referral to a professional organizer. You need someone who can be objective about your possessions and the process of decluttering.

Best Wishes, Harold

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