Journey of Aging

I normally hear the same two questions, “so you move people”? Or “you help seniors downsize”? I have to think carefully before answering because it is yes to both and yet it is so much more than that. For me and my staff it is about our passion to help families and know the state of mind they are in when trying to either move their loved ones or downsize them.

It is not a “job “in the sense that a job would be. It is about caring and understanding. It is about knowing what type of stress can be created and resulted from having to leave a home that one has lived in for many years, sometimes 10,20 even 50 years. It is about the family members who are without words in trying to pick through family heirlooms and memories and trying to decide what can go with family or the parent and what must be parted with. There are many details that go missed and/or forgotten. I saw a need in the community to help families and bring some passion and knowledge during a very chaotic time for so many. 

Before I began my journey and establishing my Company I had heard of an organization called NASSM (National Association of Senior Move Managers). I wanted to learn more about the organization and how I could formulate my business around the NASSM structure. I learned the NASSM Code of Ethics and received structured training on working with seniors with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. I was able to develop my own tools and grow my business based on the continued seminars and training through NASSM.

Imagine if you will how difficult is for you to part with your favorite shirt or picture? Think about years of memories in a home where you raised your children and had multiple birthday parties, holiday events and graduations? I go into a home and not only hear the stories but also see the memories when the homeowner shows me the wall where their children stood being measured from baby to the age of 18. I listen to the description about the tree that was planted in the front yard when they brought home each of their children. Images of children playing on the tree swing come to my mind while the parent/s eyes light up and then sadden knowing they have to move. How do you pack those memories? How do you bring that to your new home? Very often our clients are moving to Independent Living Communities and/or Assisted Living Communities with smaller spaces then their current home. I have had to be very creative with ideas on how to do just that, and bring those memories with them into their new space.

When I do an initial home visit I learn so much about the family and the dynamitic of their relationships. I know I am a stranger in their environment but in the same regards they are looking to my expertise to guide them and reassure them. It is extremely important to me that they know how much I cherish their memories and their belongings as much as they do.

Since it’s such a stressful time for seniors, once we have everything packed up and the movers are there, we will actually unpack and get them all settled in that day. We normally would have done a floor lay out prior to the move and are aware of where everything will be placed. By that evening, we have the bed made, the shower curtain hung up, and we have everything put away for them and all the boxes gone, so they can start living there as soon as possible.

What I bring through my Company, Moving Forward, is a sense of direction, calm and confidence, to what in the beginning seems overwhelming but becomes attainable.