The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 59:S359 (2004)
© 2004 The Gerontological Society of America
Authors' Response:
David J. Ekerdt, PhD and
Julie F. Sergeant, MSEd
University of Kansas, Lawrence
Address correspondence to David Ekerdt, Gerontology Center, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Rm. 3090 Dole, Lawrence, KS 66045-7555. E-mail: dekerdt{at}ku.edu
This topic, possession management, certainly strikes a chord with people. As Janice Wassel read the two articles, she thought of her mother. Indeed, the conversation never lags once we start to describe our program of research on household disbandment. People easily recognize that the accumulation and management of possessions are common challenges of growing older. They tell us about their parents and grandparents, about neighbors and other relatives, and about themselves. (We know—we've seen your offices.) Research on possessions and their disposition in later life has only begun. There is more to learn about the thoughtful, intentional gift giving that Wassel advocates as a helpful strategy. But, along with the important objects, there are also hundreds of mundane things that furnish people's lives and that must be addressed if elders need to downsize. How all this is accomplished is both interesting and useful to know and of potential benefit to those who should consider a transition to more manageable housing.
