How to tackle the gigantic task of downsizing

For many older people, moving out of the family home and downsizing - either to a smaller home or to a retirement village - is an overwhelming task. A lifetime of accumulated possessions - some precious, some not - but all needing sorting and most needing a new home. It can be a painful and emotional process, says Judy Thorpe, who founded Taskmasters in Wellington, and whose team around the North Island have helped thousands of older people downsize. She shares her advice.