A Library, Not a Sales Pitch
Our job is to help you make a confident decision, not to sell you one. Most of what's below isn't ours: it's the books and free guides we keep coming back to on downsizing, estate planning, aging in place, caregiving, and everything in between.
Bookmark this page. New sections get added as we find things worth sharing.
Downsizing & Decluttering
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
One of the most recommended books on this list. Despite the title, it's really about simplifying life and lightening the load you leave behind for the people who love you.
Find this book
Downsizing the Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go
Written for both sides of the conversation: the parent letting go of a house, and the adult child helping them do it without a fight.
Find this book
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Not written with seniors in mind, but the decision-making method (does this still serve you) is one a lot of our clients end up using anyway.
Find this bookPlanning Your Next Move
Rightsizing Your Life
Framed around moving toward the next chapter, not just shrinking the current one.
Find this book
How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free
Less about the house and the move, more about what fills the years that come after it.
Find this bookOrganizing Important Documents
I'm Dead, Now What?
A fill-in-the-blank workbook for organizing passwords, accounts, legal documents, insurance, contacts, and final wishes, so nobody has to guess later.
Find this bookEstate Planning
AARP
Free, plain-language guides covering:
- Estate planning basics
- Wills
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Organizing financial documents
Aging in Place
National Institute on Aging
Free, well-researched PDFs, some of the highest-quality material available on this subject:
- Home safety
- Preventing falls
- Preparing to age at home
- Caregiving
- Medicare basics
Senior Living Options
National Council on Aging
Free guides covering:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Paying for long-term care
- Medicare and Medicaid
Caregiving
The 36-Hour Day
Considered the standard reference for families navigating dementia care.
Find this bookScams & Fraud
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Free guides on the scams families ask us about most, the same material we cover in our community seminars:
- Wire fraud
- Romance scams
- Home title fraud
- Contractor scams
- Investment scams
Home Maintenance for Seniors
National Institute on Aging
Free checklists covering:
- Home modifications
- Fall prevention
- Accessibility improvements
- Emergency preparedness
End-of-Life Planning
Being Mortal
Widely considered one of the most thoughtful books written on aging with dignity and keeping independence for as long as possible.
Find this bookGuides We're Building
Because Valerie specializes specifically in senior transitions, we're putting together our own set of free, practical, room-by-room guides. Each one becomes a direct download here as soon as it's finished.