By Dawn's Early Light

This weekend we move the clocks back to standard time from daylight savings time. In Massachusetts a special commission has recommended that the commonwealth along with the 5 other New England states remain on daylight savings time year-round, placing it in the same time zone (Atlantic) as the Canadian Maritime provinces, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and several other Caribbean and South American countries.

Experts say that by being an hour ahead Massachusetts would reap economic and medical benefits while reducing street crime, on-the-job-injuries and traffic fatalities. Whether the change comes to pass, the switch in time is also a good excuse to take care of important biannual tasks around your home.

Here are 9 tips from Good Housekeeping: Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and thermostat. Flip your mattress. Wash Pillows. Declutter your medicine cabinet and pantry. Clear the refrigerator coils. Vacuum the dryer vent and ducts. Replace or clean filters around your house. Clean the oven. Check and restock your emergency kit.

For older adults, I would add a 10th item: declutter your home or apartment. Three compelling reasons to do so: access and find what you want easily, open up space to reduce the possibility of tripping and hurting yourself, and leave less junk for your children and family to sort through in case you have to move.
 
According to a professional organizer, it takes 20 to 30 hours to organize a house. The essence of the job is to put things in four piles: To Keep, To Toss, To Sell or Give Away, and Undecided. For Undecided, it’s best to put a time limit on how long the item remains in that pile.
 
Learn More:
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2014/12/27/why-how-seniors-declutter/21116423/
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25268/daylight-saving-things-to-do
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/11/01/massachusetts-time-zone-change-daylight-saving