A special group called “senior citizens” now represents around 15 percent of Maine’s population. By 2030, this percentage is expected to be more than 25 percent.

Like teenagers and baby boomers, the senior group has interests and needs all its own – and special publications and resources devoted just to them. In Southern Maine, some of these resources are AARP, Southern Maine Agency on Aging and a relative newcomer, Maine Senior Guide.

Maine Senior Guide provides a ton of information about everything from cooking for one to more down-to earth-issues – like what to do with all that “stuff” you’ve collected for decades.

Sooner or later, most of us are going to be faced with downsizing and maybe moving. At the very least we’ll spend some time reluctantly packing up seldom-used belongings and weeding out such things as appliances, books, clothing and furnishings – things we may never use. From the Maine Senior Guide website, www.maineseniorguide.com, here’s some good advice:

Moving, storage and downsizing

There’s often much more to moving and storage than simply carting boxes around. If you’re paying a company to pack and move your possessions, you should get references, check them out at the Better Business Bureau website, ask about their guarantees, get a bid, and review their contract carefully. Many companies also offer their services as downsizers. They’ll help you make decisions about what to take, pack your items to move, and remove the items you’re leaving, either to a shop for sale, or to a donation site.

The better organized you are before the move, the easier it will be on everyone. Sorting items into the traditional three piles (keep, donate, discard) long before the movers arrive will help you control the bill as well as make sure that what you truly want and need in your new location arrives safely. Careful packing, reliable and safe transport, and a service guarantee are important factors.

Storage units range from the do-it-yourself variety that rents a locked space to climate controlled units. Again, review the contract, make sure you understand the terms, and discuss your special needs. If you’re storing antiques, for example, a climate-controlled unit might be important. If it’s essentially just extra closet space for the holiday decorations and seasonal clothing storage, something dry and rodent proof might be sufficient.

Donation sites vary by community in Maine. Many towns have a Goodwill pickup site, as well as Salvation Army. You can often find donation bins at your local landfill or recycling center. Sometimes community organizations will actually come to your home to pick up items.

Don’t forget local community centers and churches, as well as area non-profit groups. Organizations often will collect and distribute gently-used items to families in need or struck by disaster. Many towns also have “dump stores” at their landfill centers that collect items that are still good, but no longer wanted. When you give items to registered non-profits, be sure to ask for a tax receipt for charitable deductions.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.