Senior Focused Relocations

Did You Save Enough Money on Your Dallas Move?

2010-05-20T21:21:00.003-05:00

Do you love a bargain? I sure do, but then again, a bargain is not always about the cost of something. To illustrate that point, I want to tell you about a conversation I had recently with a woman at a senior community. She said that she had recently moved there from another town and had gotten such a great deal on moving. She was surprised at the price she was quoted by the mover, who was local to the small town she came from, and was excited to be moved at such a low price. She never said how much she paid, but as she finished her story it sounded like she didn't get such a great bargain after all. Upon arrival at the community, the mover damaged her refrigerator beyond repair, but she had gotten such a great price on the move she didn't ask him to pay for it. Now, if you have priced a refrigerator lately you know they are not inexpensive. So, in the long run it sounds like she truly did not get a bargain. She may have paid a low price for the move, but with the cost of the refrigerator thrown in, she could have had a moving company that would have protected her belongings and handled them with the care and caution they deserve.

As senior move managers, we all want to protect our clients' belongings. We realize that their things are precious to them and we treat them with the respect they deserve. So when you are getting bids on your move, remember that there are things to consider other than the price quoted. If you have to buy a new refrigerator to save a few dollars you won't feel that you got a bargain at all. Find out if the company you are hiring is bonded and insured. Are they Better Business Bureau members? Do they contract out the moves or are they handled by the company's own employees? Will your furniture be wrapped? How long have they been in business? What type training do they receive?

Make sure you are dealing with a reputable company before the move. Finding out important facts after damage has occurred is not fun for you or your pocketbook.

We Survived Our Move, But Barely

2010-05-18T15:41:00.003-05:00

It's been a few weeks since I've blogged, but with good reason. We downsized and moved...and we survived! It was a trying experience to say the least, but not for the reasons you probably think. I am a pretty organized person, so I had things pretty well under control. Or at least felt that way. Unfortunately, there were things out of our control that did not go well. First let me say that we hired Senior Focused Relocations to do the move, which was the smartest thing we did. You are probably thinking we received special attention or services because I work for the company, but that could not be further from the truth. We were treated just as any other client, with kindness, respect and courtesy, although there were probably times the crew would have liked to do otherwise. This was not an easy move since we were moving things to and from four locations. A bit confusing for everyone to say the least, but they handled it with grace and aplomb and personally, I feel anyone who doesn't hire our company is a little deranged, but that's just my opinion.

The stress from our move came from the outside entities we dealt with. For instance, TXU shut off our electricity 8 days earlier than scheduled. For some reason known only to them it took five days to get the power turned back on because according to several different people we spoke with they were unable to enter the same gate to turn the power on that they had no trouble entering to turn the power off. Go figure. Try going five days without power and see how gracious you are when someone from British Columbia, Canada calls to see verify that your problem was handled correctly - especially when it wasn't handled at all at the time.

Another issue we faced is that the TV crew came to the new house to hook up the TV, but when asked about the internet, told us they didn't do that and someone should have contacted us about scheduling a time for it. No one contacted us, so we are still waiting on the internet, but Starbucks is benefiting greatly from this since I am here at least one or two times a day using their Wi-Fi services.

In the big scheme of life, these are minor irritations, for sure, but when dealing with a move, be sure you work with a reputable moving company that doesn't add to your stress from other areas. We're sure glad we had SFR move us. In fact, the estate sales people we had working at our old house and even our neighbors came out to tell us what a hard-working group SFR was. Now that's a real compliment!

Senior Adults in Dallas

2010-04-26T10:26:00.004-05:00

Recently there was an article debating whether retirement communities are right for all seniors. That seems like saying everyone should wear a size 8 shoe. Not only are retirement communities not right for everyone, neither are the family house, condos, townhouses, or any other housing type right for everyone. There are always individual factors to consider that make each person's decision vital to him/her. For instance, some seniors who are highly independent choose to move to a retirement community for the socialization, activities, or the security, while another senior who is just as independent may feel perfectly content remaining in the family home. Others may need a helping hand due to declining health or the distance of relatives living away from the area and move to assisted living or have home health assistance.

While there is no one solution to solve the question of whether to move and where, the decision should be made with care and consideration of the person(s) involved. We have helped people who are staying in their home and others who are moving to all different types of housing. The main difference we see is the person's attitude and willingness to accept the changes that life always brings. So go ahead, and try that shoe in a size 8, but the size 7 or 9 might fit just as well.

Should You Rent a Storage Space in Dallas, TX?

2010-04-16T13:06:00.003-05:00

First, let me admit that when a client mentions renting a storage space it usually sends chills down my spine. However, before all the storage companies call me to complain, let me say that I'm not against storage facilities. In fact, we have personally been renting one for about 6 months, but will be emptying it out in May. And that, you see, is the difference. Many people rent them, store their "stuff", and never clean it out. They end up paying every month for things that could have been put to good use if they had been sold, gifted, or donated to others.

So my advice to clients is that if you are going to rent a storage space, ask the following questions:

1. Would it be better to let go of these things by selling, donating, or giving them away?
2. Is there a timeframe for emptying the storage facility?
3. Have you asked family members/friends if they could use any of the items?
4. If you are saving items for a particular person, have you checked to see if they want it?
5. Have you made an inventory of what will be in the storage facility?
6. Have you compared the cost of storing items as opposed to buying them new?

These are some of the things you should think about before renting that 10 X 10 space and writing a check for it every month. There are times that storage facilities are useful and important, but paying rent on a storage unit because you just can't bear to let go of things might make you think about the long-term costs involved.

Fear of Moving

2010-04-12T06:17:00.004-05:00

Last week I spoke to a friend about the move my husband and I are getting ready to make. We have been going through the downsizing process and deciding what to keep. My friend said she often thinks about moving to a smaller home, but the thought of going through 40 years of accumulations scares her. That feeling is common to all of us who have been living in one place for quite a few years, whether that number is 10 years or 50 years.

From personal experience downsizing is a bit frightening, but the hardest part is taking that first step. Once you begin it is such a great feeling to shed the excess baggage that we all have stored and stuffed away in closets and cupboards and everywhere. After clients we have moved have been in their new homes for a while I like to ask them how things are going and if they are happy they moved. The answer is always a resounding, "YES!" Not one of them has ever said they wished they had kept more things or that they missed anything. The truth is they love the simpler lifestyle, the freeing up of space, and the extra time they have for activities they really enjoy. In fact, the ones who did the downsizing themselves say they wish they had not kept so much.

So now is the time to let go of the fear of downsizing and do what will make your life simpler and more enjoyable. If you don't have the time, strength, or inclination to do it yourself, give Senior Focused Relocations a call. This is what our fantastic crews are trained for and they will make it a pleasant experience for you. And just think, you won't have to WISH you had done this years ago. Whether you really do move or stay in the same place, rightsizing really does make life simpler and more enjoyable.

How to Downsize Kitchen Clutter

2010-04-05T16:50:00.003-05:00

Downsizing the kitchen may be one of the most difficult, but should be one of the quickest because we all tend to accumulate more than actually need and/or use. The problem often is in letting go of memories associated with some kitchen items.

When the children were young we made lots of cutout cookies, but not now. Still, it is a fond memory of the counter tops, the floors, and especially the children, being covered with flour and sprinkles from those cookies. So now those cookie cutters are being passed on to them and it's nice to have some extra space.

The same thing goes for serving dishes, dishtowels, cleaners, pots, pans, and the list goes on and on. Stop to think about what your lifestyle is now. Do you still have large family dinners or do you go to another relative’s home? Are most of your meals eaten out or do you cook quite a bit? Can you pare down the number and size of serving dishes you need? We have moved people who take four or five sets of dishes, but never cook anymore.

Take a good look at what your lifestyle requires in the kitchen and make your decisions on downsizing pertinent to that. It's a great feeling to not have every cabinet filled AND to be able to find things you are looking for. Happy downsizing!

Rightsizing Your Wardrobe

2010-03-26T09:31:00.004-05:00

Let me admit, right from the start, that rightsizing your wardrobe can be an emotional thing, especially for us ladies. We like to look our best, have plenty of options, and suit our clothing not only to current styles, the weather, and the occasion, but also to our mood. Some days you just feel like wearing a red dress and black shoes or a black dress and yellow shoes. Then we have to have the accessories to go with each outfit, which can lead to quite a few items when you think about it. Men, generally speaking, tend to have less accumulations of clothing in their closets than women do, but the same rules apply. However, moving does not have to mean you get to keep only 10 outfits and rotate them sequentially. Instead, here are some methods we use at Senior Focused Relocations to rightsize a client's wardrobe:

1. Think about what clothing has not been worn for a year and cull it out.
2. Take a good look at items that are showing signs of wear or have been damaged or stained.
3. Keep a realistic amount of particular items. For instance, if you wear slacks every day you'll
need a larger amount of those than of dresses.
4. Remove items that are no longer in style.
5. Stop saving that outfit that will fit when you just lose 10 pounds.
6. These same rules apply to accessories, such as shoes, purses, scarves, and jewelry.

One of the best things about downsizing the amount of clothing in your closet is the fact that donating or giving these items to others really helps them out and makes you feel good in the process. Nice clothing may not be something everyone can afford, but your generosity will allow others to enjoy this wonderful gift from you.

DeCluttering Your Home - Step Two

2010-03-18T11:15:00.003-05:00

We are in the process of looking for a smaller home now that our youngest child has left the nest. Yesterday we looked at a place that we honestly could not tell you much about because there was so much clutter. Every table was filled with knick-knacks, countertops were covered with appliances, clothes were crammed in the closets, and there was so much furniture it was difficult to really look at the bones of the house. I jokingly told our realtor that I should leave some Senior Focused Relocations brochures around just to help the family.

Now, obviously I didn't do that, but let's address the issue of collections today. Most of us have things we have collected over the years that are dear to us, but when we are decluttering it is important to take a good look at these collections and make some important decisions. Probably the most difficult obstacle is deciding what to take and what to dispose of in some way. Perhaps it is a collection that you dearly love. Will you keep it, give it to your children, sell it on consignment, or what? Also to be taken into consideration is whether this is your only collection or do you have others? Think about the space they take up separately and together. And, as I tell people, less really is more. By this I mean that a few decorative items stand out far more than masses of collections do. Sometimes just keeping a few precious items from a collection and taking a picture of the others is an option for clients.

We are often called upon to declutter whether someone is moving or staying put. By space and furniture planning and downsizing we can create a safe, pared-down environment, but one that still reflects the client's personality. To me, the most amazing comment the client makes is how freeing they feel living in a home with no clutter!

DeCluttering in Dallas - Step One

2010-03-09T09:30:00.002-06:00

One of the biggest areas of clutter we see in homes as Senior Move Managers is paper. Whether it is newspapers, the daily mail, magazines, or catalogs, we all know these things can pile up quickly. Below are a few tips for you in dealing with these items.

1. Mail. The goal should be to handle mail only once. That means you need to come up with a system of doing this. If you write checks at a certain time each month, have a container to place all incoming bills, then immediately handle all other mail.

2. Newspapers. Read it, save the article(s) you want, and then recycle the rest every one or two weeks. Have a bin to collect the papers in so they are in one place.

3. Magazines. After you have read the magazine pass it on to a friend, hospital, retirement center, school, or some other public arena. That way you not only get the enjoyment out of it, it can be enjoyed by many others. Also, some people have saved old copies of magazines, such as National Geographic, but there is just not a demand for those, so take this opportunity to get them out of the house.

4. Catalogs. Keep the ones you will really use, but recycle the rest. Also, once a new catalog arrives, make it a point to recycle the old one immediately.

5. Plan. When you have a plan and stick to it, the act of decluttering becomes a routine you will want to follow. Not only will you have a house with less clutter, by passing things on and recycling you will be helping others and living a greener life.

MAGAZINES – limit yourself to no more than 5-6 at the very most. Routinely go through and collect the ones you no longer want. Force yourself to stick to your limit and give the others to family, friends, neighbors, or hospital or doctor offices. Last summer going through a health issue I sat in the waiting room every day for over a month and the magazines that were there were wonderful to pass that time. Many of them had been donated by other patients so pass on this wonderful gesture.

Spring Cleaning in Dallas, Texas

2010-03-05T13:34:00.005-06:00

We are nearing the time of year when spring cleaning begins for many of us. However, as we age, it becomes more difficult to do this task and that is how a senior move manager can provide great assistance. Whether it is going through the closets or cleaning up the garage, a senior move manager can provide the manpower and know-how to get the job done quickly and efficiently. While it is true that we most often help people who are moving, we are also a valuable resource for seniors staying in their homes. At Senior Focused Relocations, for instance, when we go to clients' homes, we work with them to come up with a viable plan to achieve their goals...and the thing they seem to be most amazed with is how quickly our crews get the job done.

Whether our assistance is needed because relatives live far away, friends and family work full-time, or you just want some help to get the job finished, give a senior move manager a call. You will get your spring cleaning done and be ready to enjoy your summer.

Will Any Dallas, TX Moving Company Do The Job?

2010-02-25T10:27:00.004-06:00

Everyone has to keep an eye on their expenses and the cost of moving is no exception. However, when hiring a senior move manager and/or moving company there are things that should be considered along with the cost of the move. It is important to understand and compare the companies and their business practices.

For instance, at Senior Focused Relocations our clients know they will be dealing with employees, not contract labor. Before any employees are permitted to work on a job they receive training on SFR moving procedures and practices, company regulations, and go through some important checks. This is done not only for the company's benefit, but more importantly for the benefit and protection of our clients.

If a company uses contract labor there may not be thorough background checks or any carefully constructed job training. The contract laborer may simply receive on-the-job training that you are paying for on your move. These are important things to consider since senior move managers and/or moving companies deal with your personal possessions.

When hiring a senior move manager and/or moving company it is your right to ask questions about the services you will be receiving. It is also much better to make an informed decision before the move than to have regrets that you hired a cheaper moving company or one recommended by a friend. Before you make a decision about your move, make sure you are dealing with a reputable company and check the important facts.

A Joyous Move in Dallas, TX

2010-02-20T15:12:00.002-06:00

Today I visited someone who holds a special place in my heart. She was one of our first clients and was such a joy to work with when we moved her. Dottie made the decision to leave her home of many years to make things easier for her children. She knew they worried about her living alone after her husband's death and about her diet and health. The move was an emotional one, but as she told me today, as she drove away for the final time from her home she just thought of all the wonderful memories her family and friends had shared there. The amazing thing about Dottie, though, is that once she was settled into her new home in a retirement community, she didn't miss a step. She went right on living with the joy she has always had. She made new friends and kept her old ones, joined in the activities that interested her at the community, and continues today to live with a smile on her face.

If only we all had Dottie's attitude to be happy wherever God puts us. It certainly made her move easier, but more importantly, it makes her life easier. Dottie is one of those people who accumulates friends the way the rest of us accumulate papers on our desk. She tries to always look at the glass as half full and it always makes me feel good just being around her.

I hope that every day, whether you are moving or not, you will try to follow Dottie's example and look at your glass as half full, take joy in your life each day, give thanks for your friends and family, and be kind to everyone. They may really need to have a smile from someone to brighten their day, too.

How Much Does a Senior Move Manager Cost in Dallas?

2010-02-08T13:15:00.003-06:00

The question that is asked more than any other when we give presentations to groups is, "How much do your services cost?" This is a valid question, but it is also an impossible question to answer without viewing someone's belongings and finding out exactly what services they need and want. At Senior Focused Relocations, Inc., we offer a free consultation for several reasons. We want the clients to begin to know the people they will be working with, the company that will be handling their possessions, and our operating procedures. On the other hand, we want to know what the client's expectations are, their needs and desires, and the schedule they have in mind to accomplish these things.

We might have an appointment with two different people who each live in a two bedroom home. The first person may be someone who has a minimal amount of possessions, wants to donate what he is not moving with him, and requires little, if any, downsizing. The second person may live in a two bedroom home that was a family home for 40 years, has a collection of items from vacations, sports, children's school years, etc., wants to take as much as possible with him, and requires quite a bit of downsizing. So although the homes may be similar in size, the moves are quite different.

So while it is impossible to give a set price for all moves in Dallas, it is in your best interest to receive a written estimate for the move and to really compare the services you are receiving and who will be delivering them. Work with a reputable, licensed mover, and use the services you need to make your move stress free and enjoyable.

Moving in Dallas Can Be Your Dream Vacation

2010-02-05T15:31:00.004-06:00

Michele Parchman, one of the owners of Senior Focused Relocations in Dallas, Texas, likes to say that moving can be like your dream vacation OR the vacation that won't end soon enough!

Have you spent years dreaming of that perfect vacation? A lovely beachfront, summer in the mountains, the European trip where you visit all the places from the travel books? Moving is a lot like that dream vacation in that it can be a wonderful experience or a trip you never want to experience again.

Your travel agent can handle the details and leave the enjoyment to you or you can do all the work yourself: booking flights, ground transportation, lodging, deciding what to see and how to accomplish that, along with a myriad of other details. Often when you are finally through making all the arrangements and hoping everything goes according to plan you just want to get the trip over with and get back home to relax.

Moving can be very much like that. I like Michele's analogy because as senior move managers and a licensed professional moving company we are the "travel agents" for senior moves. We meet with clients and determine their needs; then we do as much or as little as what each client needs. For some seniors that may be the moving portion only, for others it might include space planning and moving, or it could be the clients who need the entire move handled from downsizing, space planning, packing, moving, unpacking, and setting everything up.

So whether you need just a few services or every detail taken care of, with a company like Senior Focused Relocations as your senior move manager and professional moving company, your move really will be like a dream vacation.

Hiring A Dallas, TX Senior Moving Company

2010-01-28T11:16:00.005-06:00

Do you remember the old saying, "You get what you pay for"? That is so true when hiring a moving company. As senior move managers and a licensed professional moving company we know that customers are looking for qualities that are beyond just the question of price. Everyone wants quality service and reasonable pricing, but often the correct questions to ask in order to receive those things are not asked. But how does one know if they are getting what they really need and want?

1. Many moving companies are not licensed by state or federal Departments of Transportation (DOT), so always be sure to ask for the TX DOT and US DOT numbers. Companies that are licensed in this manner are required to have those numbers displayed in all advertising and to meet stringent requirements the US DOT sets forth.

2. Ask how long the company has been in business and who the owners are. Check their references.

3. Are they Better Business Bureau (BBB) members?. You can check their BBB record which can provide valuable information.

4. Are the movers actual employees of the company or contract labor?

5. Are the employees bonded and does the company have insurance? If it is contract labor, do both the contractor and the company have those same provisions? Know who you are working with in the moving process.

6. Ask what the moving procedures are. For instance, how will the furniture be handled? Will the wood pieces be wrapped in quilts or carried onto the truck without protection? Will upholstered pieces be covered in stretch film? What about leather or suede pieces of furniture?

Are delicate and/or breakable items bubble-wrapped? It is far better to ask these questions before hiring a mover than after damage has occurred.

7. What is the delivery time? If you are given a window of time, which may occur with a long distance move, where will you stay in the interrim? What will the cost to you be for that? These are things you need to consider to really compare prices.

8. Who pays for packing materials?

9. Determine exactly what services are available and which ones you will use. These may vary widely between companies so be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

10. How is the payment handled? Are you required to pay everything up front or make a down payment and final payment?

By learning the answers to these questions ahead of time, you can save not only time, money, and damage to your belongings, you can avoid many headaches people sometimes experience with a move.

Check Out Your Dallas TX Senior Community

2010-01-28T10:20:00.007-06:00

Working for a large company like Senior Focused Relocations involves working in communities that are different types, various locations, and that offer varied services. Having been in business for several years working with seniors, we know that not every community is suitable for every person. For instance, an independent living community may be the best choice for an active senior, while an assisted living community may have the services another senior requires. At the same time, even communities of the same type offer different advantages, amenities, and services. So how do you go about choosing the senior community that is right for you?

There are several things clients have told us that helped them, so we are going to pass their tips on to you.
1. Talk with friends and relatives to see if they live in a community or know someone who does. They can provide valuable information from their own experiences.
2. Schedule a visit. It is a good idea to call ahead so that someone will be available to show you around when you arrive. Having lunch or dinner there it is a nice way to meet some of the other people who live in the community, plus you get to sample the food.
3. Go during the week. This is when there is a full staff and regular activities. During the weekend some of the employees will be off, such as the activity director, so you really are not able to see the true tempo of the community.
4. If a guest apartment is available you may want to spend a few days there to get a sense of what living in the community would be like. Many places have guest apartments and are happy to arrange this for you.
5. Take notes about the places you visit. It will help you remember specific details that you might forget later on as you tour more communities.
6. After you have visited a few communities you will have a better idea of what you are truly looking for in a retirement community and which one is best suited to you.

The last tip is from Senior Focused Relocations and is important for wherever you choose to move. Our tip is to not be deterred from moving by the task at hand, but to look at the move as a new adventure you are beginning. The one comment we hear most often from clients after moving is they wish they had done it sooner! It is exciting for us to see them enjoying their new home and making new friends and we wish the same for you.

The Fear Factor for Dallas, TX Seniors

2010-01-26T17:50:00.004-06:00

As seniors begin to think of moving from their homes of many years they often experience a sense of fear. It is certainly not an unusual feeling, but one shared by almost every senior thinking of making a move. Leaving the security of one's home and neighborhood could certainly inspire a feeling of foreboding and dread because it is what is known, whereas moving to a retirement community represents an unknown factor in the equation. It could also be that we are a little more resistant to change. We like our same routines, our same friends, and our same home.

As senior move managers we often find that clients are a bit embarrassed about those fearful feelings, but truthfully, almost everyone has them to some degree. The hard part is realizing that the feelings are not unusual and are shared by others. So when the time comes to leave your home and you feel a bit uneasy, just remember that feeling of fear is normal and is not unique to you. And one more thing - the most common comment we hear from our clients after they have been settled in their new home for a couple of weeks is they wish they had done it sooner!

Dallas Seniors Tackle What You Can Handle

2010-01-13T17:05:00.007-06:00

When anyone begins the moving process it can be daunting, but when it is a senior who has lived in their home for 30, 40, or 50 years, the task can be overwhelming, or as one client said, "paralyzing". We all tend to let things accumulate. Sometimes it is because we think we will use it later, or someone in the family will want it, perhaps it is "too good" to throw away, it has special memories for us, or we might even just like it. But whatever "it" is, there does come a time that we must all deal with "it". When that time does arrive, we must begin the downsizing and sorting process and one of the most important things is to tackle what you can handle.

If you read our blog in December, you saw that we advised starting small and that is very important. Whether it is beginning to clean out drawers while watching TV or just getting together a task schedule, it is imperative to be realistic about your physical capabilities. Being very guilty, myself, of trying to do too much in too short a time, I can definitely speak from experience. But time (and age) have taught me that sometimes we defeat ourselves if we don't work wisely. Determine how long you can work on this process each day and still feel well. If you need professional assistance to get the job done, it can be money wisely spent. Set a definite time if family or friends offer to help with this and see if it is a workable solution. However you proceed, do it in a way that is compatible with your energy level, lifestyle, and calendar. It may take you a few days to figure out what works best for you, but if you can do this, you have a much greater success rate on getting that move started.

Emotions of Adult Children in the U.S.

2010-01-06T15:29:00.005-06:00

Lots of articles have been written about the emotions seniors experience with a move from their home to a retirement community or smaller living quarters, but an area that is often neglected are the emotions the children experience. Not only are they dealing with the strong emotions of their parents, they must also deal with their own emotions. First and foremost is to realize that these feelings are common and there is nothing wrong with having them.

For instance, if a parent requires increasing care, there may be a feeling of loss as the roles of parent and child reverse. As the child becomes the caretaker and the parent begins to rely more and more heavily on that care, it may seem like losing one's parent. Experiencing this loss is often difficult for family members to come to terms with and understand.

Resentment is another common emotion as demands for time and energy increase. At the fast pace of families today, it can be difficult to fit one more duty into the schedule without major sacrifices or rescheduling. Even with senior family members needs growing, it is vital that time be reserved for other family responsibilities. There are wonderful senior resources available that are not only reasonably priced, they can provide the relief caretakers need to rejuvenate themselves. Perhaps it is a respite stay for the senior parent so the adult child's family can attend school events, a placement service to assist in finding the right retirement community, or like our company, a senior move manager to handle moving details. While these services are not free, they can offer a lifeline to family members so both the parent and adult child are able to enjoy each other's company and work together to establish what each expects and can offer. Third parties often become a sounding board making it is easier for communication to flow between people and easing resentment.

There can be several other emotions such as fear, apprehension, sadness, or hopelessness, to name a few. Again, for the child of the senior, it is not unusual to have these feelings and it is important to find someone you can talk to about them. Just being able to express how you feel can help desensitize the situation and allow you the ability to look at things in a different light. Being a senior move manager, some of the most touching moments are when families are able to work together to attain solutions, arrive at common goals, and allow each other to work through their emotions without making them feel guilty or uncomfortable. When this happens it creates greater understanding and empathy on both sides.

So for the adult children, don't beat yourselves up if you have feelings you find difficult to deal with. Instead try to find assistance that will help you in your situation, talk things out with a trusted friend, take time for yourself, and remember not only the present time and the challenges it brings, but remember all the other times that were fun, loving, and special with your parent.

Family Heirlooms for Dallas TX Seniors

2010-01-05T18:38:00.004-06:00

When the time arrives for a senior adult to move from the family home to a smaller residence, one of the most sensitive issues is often what to do with family heirlooms. Not only is the family required to deal with the general stress often experienced with a move, but family heirlooms require attention to both the physical property and the emotional attachments of these treasured items. Therefore it is important to realize that this may be an extremely delicate and, possibly, volatile subject. The senior adult and the family members need to realize the importance of handling this issue calmly with concern and caring.

For seniors the idea of letting go of family items can be quite upsetting. To think that no one wants to have grandmother's china, for instance, may be seen as a rejection of family memories and/or values. If a family member prefers not to take the item it may cause hurt feelings or anger, while in reality the reason for the refusal may only be that there is not adequate room.

As senior move managers we tell clients they should offer heirlooms to family or friends; however they must also realize it may not have the same emotional meaning to others, there may not be an interest in it, a duplicate of the item is already owned, or there is simply no place for it in the home. This is not a rejection to be taken personally, it is a decision made based on desire and the ability to fit the item into a different household space or decor. For instance, grandmother's china may be lovely and bring forth wonderful memories of family dinners, but to someone else it may only be an item they cannot put in the dishwasher and does not fit their lifestyle. By keeping this in mind it makes it easier to let go of items that have played a major role in the senior's life.

For family members it is important to realize that certain items may have special significance to the senior. Perhaps the china could be given to a grandchild, a friend who has always admired it, or simply sold at an estate sale and the proceeds used to buy a special gift for the new residence. Working out a solution that everyone can live with creates a family bond and gives a sense of fulfillment. Encouraging the senior to express memories attached to something special allows them to feel involved in the decision process and family members get to share in that special memory.

Although this process of letting go may be a bit painful, it can also be a wonderful time of learning about family history, working together to devise an equitable solution, creating new memories together, and a strengthening of family relationships.

Downsizing for Seniors

2009-12-29T14:57:00.003-06:00

We are often asked the best way to get started downsizing and the one thing I always tell people is to start small. One of the easiest ways to begin is by going through drawers, one at a time. For instance, most of us have a junk drawer in the kitchen or laundry area where we collect miscellaneous items such as tape, screwdrivers, menus, pens, etc. So the next time you sit down to watch TV, visit with a friend, or just want to do a mindless task, take that junk drawer and sort through it.

Before you start sorting through the contents of the drawer set up areas to place items that will be kept, thrown out, donated, or moved to another location. Once you have sorted everything, put back the items to be kept. You may want to use drawer dividers or organizers to keep things neat. For items to be moved to another location, go ahead and place them where they belong. For the donations, begin to collect these in a central place as you sort through other drawers.

This makes your task easier, plus you have a great sense of accomplishment as you finish each drawer. Happy Sorting!