Feeling like Typhoid Mary

I am honored and humbled by the number of families that have put their trust and confidence in me to help with their loved ones' transition.  

For those whose move I've orchestrated, I follow-up with the families to see how they are doing.  

But, after several calls this week, I gotta tell you, I'm feeling like Typhoid Mary!  

Now, this was back in the 1900s, and the people Mary came in contact with, died!  

I'm pleased to say, I don't cook for my clients and no one has died.  However, 80% of the people I've moved in the past 8 months have had something happen after they've gotten settled in their new place.  For example: a fall (or two), a 5-week stay in the hospital due to flu, a hospital stay with pneumonia, a TIA, just to name a few.

What was the common denominator?  They had all moved into different communities, in different areas of town.  Some were women, some were men and the ages varied.  I guess it must have been me!  Ugh!  

In actuality, these were all "crisis moves" where the dementia or physical condition had progressed to the point where the older adult could not live independently any more.  And while the family may have taken the steps to find their loved one a new living arrangement, it was pretty late in the game.  

Making a later-in-life move is not easy, especially when the older adult is afflicted with dementia and has called the same place home for 30-50 years.  While I do everything in my power to reduce the stress associated with a move, I'm unable to influence the person's mental and physical health.  

Nobody wants to have "the talk" with their loved ones, but trust me it is better to do it sooner rather than later.  If you are one of the 'kids' be sure to pick up the clues your loved ones leave - for example if mom has passed away and Dad says, "I'd like to give the china to my granddaughter", HELP HIM DO IT!  Don't force him to keep things they way they always have been because you're not ready for a change.

I guess I have to accept the facts of life in this industry I've become a part of.  Things are going to happen to the people I help but knowing I've been able to handled the details of a move on behalf of their families and recreate their new space with the furniture and belongings they are familiar with makes me feel good.  

Time to get ready for another move...

For more information on how A Stress-Less Transition, LLC can help you or an older adult, please visit our website.

It's not easy being GREEN...

In the words (or in this case song) of Kermit the Frog,

"It's not easy being green!"

Many Senior Move Managers (and movers) tend to use lots of cardboard boxes, packing paper, bubble-wrap, packing tape and all sorts of other things, some of which are recyclable.  Some move managers pack, others have the moving company do it (and charge the client for supplies).  But boxes, even broken down, take up a lot of space.  And since I work out of my home, I don't have a lot of room to store them.

I have made the conscious decision to be GREEN - not only have the company colors been green from the beginning, but for any local transitions, (where I pack and unpack a client) I will move green!

Using tubs and other storage options eliminates the need for boxes!  Plus, tubs are a little easier to store and transport.  Newsprint (sans ink) is great packing material and can be reused several times before recycling. Bubble wrap can also be reused several times. 

I was thrilled to answer in the affirmative when asked by a green retirement community if I used tubs!  

Many times, the spaces people are moving into are much smaller and they are not taking a tremendous amount of belongings.   And if packed properly, you can fit quite a bit in a tub!  Since tubs have handles, they are easier to pick up and move around.  Plus, once at the destination and unpacking has begun, tubs stack nicely and can be left temporarily in the hallway.  And, there's little to no trash filling the community's dumpster.

It feels great knowing that I'm saving clients money, eliminating time and tape needed to make boxes and ultimately reducing my carbon footprint!  (Plus, when the tubs wear out, they too can be recycled!)

Miss Piggy has nothing to do with this post other than it's a violation of Muppet Code to mention Kermit and not her.  :)  

Using my best Miss Piggy voice, 

"Oh Kermie, it is easy being green!"

What are you doing to go green?

For more information on how A Stress-Less Transition, LLC can help you or an older adult, please visit our website.

It's all in the details

A recent client needed to move rather quickly from his 2500 sq ft home of 50 years into an ALF.  His wife passed away about a year ago after suffering several years with Alzheimer's Disease.  Needless to say, his time as devoted husband and caregiver had taken its toll and his memory was not as sharp as it had been in the past.

I was so fortunate to have been asked to help with his transition to a lovely ALF apartment.  (Believe me, I was ready to sign up the day I visited there!)  It was less than a week from first meeting Mr. B to Move Day.  While getting to know Mr. B (and trying to figure out what furniture, furnishings and belongings to take), I learned he was an avid photographer, computer geek, stereo-turntable-record-spinner, WWII Veteran, father and grandfather.

This is one of the many things about my business that I love and why I am so passionate about helping older adults!  I want to find good homes for their things!  Several people who had been in his house were ready to get rid of all the "crap".  (Yes, there were things that should make their way to the big green bin, but there were many things that someone (or several someones) would buy or a charitable organization that would accept the donations.)

But the first order of business was getting Mr. B ready to move.  My goal was to use existing furniture and only buy new if absolutely needed.  His 60" TV was NOT going to fit in his new apartment, but a relatively new 27" from a bedroom would be perfect on a stand formerly holding the microwave, flanked by similarly colored shelves from two different rooms.

Selecting one of several desks that would hold his computer but fit in his bedroom was another challenge.

Only a few days to get ready, but all the i's were dotted, t's were crossed,  and everything was double-checked. Tubs were packed, the HUNKS arrived, locks changed and off we went!   After a 30 minute drive, furniture unloaded and placed, tubs unpacked, pictures hung and Mr. B's new home was ready for his arrival!

Mr. B was thrilled to see his camera collection on display in the living room along with this Army memorabilia - all of which had been scattered about various rooms and the garage.  Now he will have props to go along with his stories. :o)

It was so rewarding to see him happy in his new space, with familiar belongings and no worries of a big ol' house.

For more information on how A Stress-Less Transition, LLC can help you or an older adult, please visit our website.