Drawing on in-depth interviews with recent movers in over a 100 diverse US households, David Ekerdt analyzes the downsizing process and what it says about the meaning and management of possessions. He details how households approach and accomplish downsizing, exploring the decision-making process and the effectiveness of different strategies.

From an expert gerontological perspective, he considers the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social tasks that the process entails and the role of factors such as gender and class on the divestment of things. Ekerdt finds that despite the fatigue and emotional challenges people encounter, afterward, they report satisfaction in having completed a downsizing and feel empowerment on the other side of the task.

Offering an empathetic and practical look at one of life’s major transitions, Downsizing brings forward the voices of elders so that older adults, their families and friends, and practitioners working with older clients can understand and benefit from their experience.

The book is published by Columbia University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"A must-read; chock-full of wisdom..." (Deborah Carr, author of Golden Years?: Social Inequality in Later Life)

"This book should be on the reading lists of all senior care professionals..." (Stephen M. Golant, author of Aging in the Right Place)

"A fascinating and humane book that speaks to all of us through its exploration of our relationship with material possessions..." (Julia Twigg, professor of social policy and sociology, University of Kent)