Her words said "No". Her voice said, "Yes".

A few weeks ago, I started working with a lovely woman who was moving out of state to live with one of her daughters.  As I'm helping clients with their decisions about what to move, what to give to family, what to sell and what to donate, I learn a lot about them....Their life history, things they like, items that are important to them, etc.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend a lot of time with her before she left as decisions were made and things happened very quickly.

But before her departure, we walked through every room of her home, including the garage and I asked her about some things that were in view.  We came to several trophies sitting on a shelf in the garage.  With the dust on them, it appeared they had been there for a few years.  I asked if she wanted them to move with her.  Her response was "No" (because she knew she wouldn't have space for them in her new room), but the look in her eye and the tone in her voice said, "Yes".

She and her daughters left a few days later and my job was to sort through the things in the garage and see what the family might want to have included when the movers came to pack.  While working through the boxes, I came across a box of costumes and tap dance shoes.  Putting two-and-two together (including the 1st Place blue ribbons on the trophies), I concluded she had been a part of a dance troupe and won several awards.  The wheels started turning and I had (what I thought) the perfect idea!  Set up a display and take a picture.

I framed it and shipped it off with her moving paperwork and donation receipts.  (If she didn't want it, she could easily replace the picture and use the frame.)  But a little voice told me she would probably like it.  And I had found a good home for the trophies and shoes.  

In the meantime, I had been invited by one of our local Memory Care Communities to re-do a couple of their rooms - transforming them from a fancy decorated model to a room that mom or dad would feel comfortable in.  I wanted to give the rooms some personality, a backstory if you will.

  

The 'fancy' model.

I told the family about my project and asked if Mom would be willing to let me use her items.  I got the thumbs up and was so excited to start putting things together!

In one room, the story of that resident was that she was a talented performer, played the clarinet, enjoyed plants and flowers as well as collecting fine things.

In the other room, the resident was an accomplished artist, amateur photographer and enjoyed golf.

While the rooms are awaiting a few final touches, the Marketing Director is over the moon with how a few changes made such a big difference, using many things they had available as well as giving a personality to each room!

Today I receive the most heartwarming message from one of the daughters.  Mom got the package and was so touched.  The shoes represented a time in her life when she and her husband moved to Florida.  New area, new people, new everything!  She joined a group of tap dancing ladies...without knowing anything about tap and hadn't made many friends at that point.  (Pretty brave lady in my book!)  She learned to tap.  Became quite good and competed in several big events. And met some wonderful ladies along the way!

Being a Move Manager is more than just packing/unpacking boxes, sorting and donating things.  It's about listening and really hearing what a client is saying, to determine what is meaningful to them.  It is an honor to help families and so rewarding!

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

A Doctor, Move Manager and Auctioneer

"A doctor, move manager and auctioneer walk into a bar..."

Ok, not really, but this is a true story about a gal named Sara, a doctor (Doc), A Stress-Less Transition and an auctioneer (Art).

Sara goes to see Doc and laments she is struggling with the death of her mother two months ago, no help from her brothers and is stressed out trying to figure out what to do with all the belongings on her mother's condo.

Doc says, "Sara, you need to call A Stress-Less Transition.  She will be able to help you."

Sara calls A Stress-Less Transition and schedules an appointment for a free consultation.  Since her mother's death, Sara had already made a huge dent in what needed to be done, making many trips to a local "big box donation center", food pantry and the dumpster.

But Sara was becoming very weary, overwhelmed with everything that still needed to get done, stressed about some of the expenses that hadn't been planned for, and at a loss for the best way to dispose of all the beautiful treasures profitably all the while keeping the condo in order for realtor showings.

One thing A Stress-Less Transition prides itself on is being able to find a good home for things.  Sara's mother was a sharp dresser with many lovely suits, dresses, and shoes. A Stress-Less Transition's knowledge of an organization that helps disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, made it an easy decision where Sara wanted the remaining clothes to go.

Sara wanted to clear out her mother's condo quickly (and profitably if possible).  A Stress-Less Transition explained the options.   A call was placed to Art the Auctioneer and he conducted a thorough review of the contents of the apartment.  At the end of the meeting, Sara was feeling very good about the plan that was put in place and that she would meet her goal of getting the place empty quickly and could make a few pennies to help cover some of the expenses.

Moral of the story:  Working with a senior move manager like A Stress-Less Transition EARLY on can help alleviate the worry, stress and overwhelming responsibility of figuring out what to do with a houseful of furniture, belongings but can also save lots of time and money.  The relationships a senior move manager has with people who can help get things done is so important for families in their time of need and crisis.

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