February 4, 2009
In the past two months we have moved four customers across the country; seniors moving closer to family in Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. What we learned was that the stress level seniors feel in this situation is much higher than in a typical “in-city” move to a retirement residence.
Why? First, so much more is unknown. It is a different city, different weather, different culture, and likely a living accommodation that they have never even seen.
Second, they feel like they are leaving their current home town forever. . That, of course, includes their house, their church, their doctor, their friends, and their favourite shopping spot.
Third, in two of our cases (the widowed mom and the couple) they are moving into their daughter’s home. This situation creates huge questions. Will I be a bother to them? Will I still have my independence? Will we argue like we did when she was younger?
In all three cases our clients were very open about their fears and concerns during the months we were working with them. If you know someone who is about to do this, here are some tips on how to paint a rosier picture for them … gently and subtly, of course.
Remind them that they have few friends left here, and that their social life is limited. That while living here they rarely get to see sisters, brothers, grandchildren, and other relatives.
Let them know that the family really wants them. That the long distance has made them spend too much time worrying about mom or dad’s health, eating habits, and social life.
With Sandy we emphasized that she would be able to go shopping with her daughter. With Nancy we focussed on Sunday night family dinners at her sister’s that she would be able to attend. With Ethel we kept reminding her that there would be someone else in the home to share her caregiving responsibilities with George.
Above all, remind them that home is where the heart is. And throughout life, our heart keeps coming back to our family.
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January 28, 2009
On a day to day basis it’s easy to handle the trash we create. But if you’ve lived in your home for decades, you’ve probably got more than a few items that need to be disposed of.
Useable items should be donated, but items not in useable condition need to go to recycling. Here are some hints and tips as we “talk trash.”
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, 1-800RID-OF-IT, JuNK iT!: This type company picks up your stuff, and the service includes going into your home and carrying it out. They usually charge by how much bin space you use. If you have a lot of trash shop around to find the best price, being aware of how big the bins are for each quote. And check with each company to ensure the items are properly disposed of, and not all just taken to landfill.
- If you want to spend a few days yourself sorting and tossing, you can order a bin to be set in your driveway, then have it picked up when you are done. This alternative is less expensive, but you have to do the heavy lifting to take things outside.
- If you have smaller amounts consider taking it to your local transfer station yourself, or if your local pickup has limits, you can usually buy tags and put the extra at the end of the driveway.
- Most municipalities have a documented program of what they will take. Check with your local city hall to find the rules. For example, many municipalities will pick up old white goods – appliances – but only if you call for pickup.
Hazardous waste is another category of garbage. This includes paint cans with paint still in them, solvents, fertilizers, poisons, even fluorescent tubes. Check with your municipality regarding those items considered toxic. Many have hazardous waste collection depots where you can drop off items. In some locations, there is a “Toxic Taxi” that will pickup these items.
We’ve got hours of experience disposing of items safely. We can help make these decisions for you. The fewer details you have to look after when you move, the less toxic the move will be for you!
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January 23, 2009
As Seniors Move Organizers we help our clients declutter. During this process there are always items identified that they no longer need. We help those clients donate items that are still useable and functional.
Here are suggestions for organizations that will accept your donations. Please visit each organization’s website for complete information. Also, all organizations require the items to be in good, clean, useable condition.
- Furniture Bank: accepts furniture, bed linens, curtains, and kitchen items. Donated items are made available to individuals currently in shelters and to refugees. It is possible to receive an “in-kind” tax receipt for your items.
- Goodwill: accepts a wide variety of items. Goodwill resells these items to fund their business enterprises that provide employment to those facing barriers to work.
- The Royal Conservatory of Music: accepts musical instruments. A tax receipt is available for the fair market value of the item.
- The Charitable Recycling Program of Canada: accepts cell phones in any condition. Cell phones are donated to those in shelters.
There are many other types of organizations that accept donations. You can work with a religious group, community organization, or government-funded organization in your area. Your church, community centre, and local newspaper can provide contact information. Also, ask your friends and neighbours for referrals.
- Shelters: many can use clothing, towels and bedding and small items since their storage space is limited. Some animal shelters take old blankets.
- Food Banks: will accept canned or unopened packaged food. Check the “use by” date before you donate. Remember that some food banks will take pet food.
When you work with a Seniors Move Organizer, you get the benefit of hours of experience. We’ve done the research to figure out what can go where. Your items can continue to be useful to a whole new generation.
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January 20, 2009
When you have a significant change to implement that is important, new to you, or stressful, it may help you to have someone experienced in that activity assisting you. If you’re moving, a Seniors Move Manager can help you with all the tasks that need doing.
Malcolm Gladwell in his book, Outliers, suggests that in order to be experienced at a task, one needs to put in 10,000 hours. We’ve helped with lots of moves in the last five years, and we’ve put in the 10,000 hours.
We’ve learned how to declutter a home to help make it show beautifully for an open house. We’ve figured out the most successful method to sell items that can bring you a return. We know how to find organizations that will accept those items you no longer need. We’ve sourced reliable partners to help move your possessions.
Most importantly, our experiences have been primarily with seniors. We’ve learned how to work with any special needs or requirements. And we’re familiar with the thinking and organizing that needs to be done to successfully downsize, especially when moving to a retirement residence.
Most of us move a few times during our life, and though it might feel as if your last move took 10,000 hours, it probably didn’t. We urge to you to benefit from our experience – call us the next time you have to move.
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January 7, 2009
The first time I was asked by someone to be their Executor I was proud as can be. After all, they were trusting me to handle all their money after they died. But it took my first experience acting as an Executor to become aware of exactly how little I understood about the job. Here is what I learned.
To begin with you have to find the will, handle the funeral and find a lawyer. Some of this may be at your own expense since you can’t necessarily access the deceased’s money immediately.
Then this lawyer will be your new best friend because you’ll develop a relationship while you work on your Executor duties. She will guide you through the process of finding and adding up the financial value of all money and significant assets in the estate so that she can file probate. The lawyer will also help with seeking creditors.
Next, once the court has probated the will, you have to find an accountant to handle the tax filings. He will help to ensure that you don’t make inappropriate dispositions prior to knowing what the tax liabilities are … otherwise, they come out of your pocket.
Finally, you have to handle the non-liquid assets. That may mean selling a house, which the realtor will facilitate. And it certainly means disposing of all the deceased’s “stuff.” This means household furnishings, and personal possessions. If the deceased is a senior, that can mean a lot. . The will may provide some guidance on disposal and disbursement of some items, but you may need to find the final destination for items, also.
Oh, how I wished I had known a company like Trusted Transitions that provides Executor Assistance. The job was long, tedious and stressful, and cut into my business, social and personal life.
And this is one of the reasons I started this business. To help Executors with the low-value and high-stress part of their job.
Don’t be like all those people I’ve met who say “If only I’d known about you when my mother passed away.” Call Trusted Transitions to get a helping hand with your Executor duties.
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