It takes a village....

They say it takes a village to raise a child.  

From recent experiences with clients and families, I say it also takes a village to move mom and/or dad!

Who are these village people?  The sales/marketing folks at the retirement communities.  The adult children and their spouses, significant others and their children.  The maintenance crew at the retirement communities.  The movers.  The care aides/home helpers.  The financial advisors and attorneys.

It is so rewarding when the older adult walks into his/her new residence, with a huge smile on his/her face - amazed how in just a few hours things from their home of 20+ years magically fits into their new space.  It's fascinating to watch skeptical adult children turn into your biggest fans.  It's a sigh of relief to get a message from the marketing director that the new resident slept well the first night in their new home.  It's humbling to get kudos and thanks from the mover who was able to get the job done quickly because of all the pre-planning and how organized things were.

But the story doesn't end there...there is still a houseful of belongings and possessions to deal with.  Whether it's making arrangements for things to be delivered to family members (locally or around the country), coordinating options for selling or finding the right charitable organization, there are many people who help in bringing a client's transition to closure.

I am so grateful for all the families and retirement communities that have put their trust and confidence in me to help their loved ones.  It is truly an honor!

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

Like an Orchestra

A transition is like the orchestra!

I am very supportive of clients being active participants in their transition.  It helps them still feel like they are in involved and still have independence.  

In a conversation with a client, I equated her transition to that of an orchestra.  (It's not as much of a stretch as you might think.)

Client is the Composer - with the ideas and input on what she wants to take to her new place and how she wants things to look.

I am the Conductor - making sure all the sections come in at just the right time and play as they should, when they should.  

Without the organization, we will have a cacophonous noise.  

When First Chairs or the Composer make decisions, schedule things without coordinating with the Conductor, it can really throw a wrench in things.

With organization and a thorough game plan, we can have a beautiful symphony!