Overwhelmed
with even the Thought of Moving?
With
Moving Forward,
“
One Call Arranges it All! ”
As an Occupational Therapist with experience in hospital and
rehabilitation settings, I am acutely aware of the difficulties
families and seniors go through when they are suddenly forced
into moving due to an illness, operation, or other crisis
that makes it impossible for them to return to their homes
alone. Hospital discharge planners try to assist in these
situations, but they are constantly trying to keep up with
all the regulation changes, as well as new resources and facilities
available in the community. I also know that when seniors
lose a spouse or their ability to drive, they often choose
on their own to move to a retirement community where they
will have access to activities, companionship, and assistance
with transportation and meal preparation. I founded Moving
Forward because I know that there is a growing need for services
that can provide expertise in preparing to move, actually
completing the move, and settling in as quickly as possible
after the move.
Moving Forward
Can Help!
Since
my company opened, I have had calls from many different referral
sources and for a variety of reasons. I have heard from hospital
Geriatric Center Social Workers, Marketing Directors of senior
residences, Outreach Directors from senior centers, Realtors,
Financial Planners, Attorneys, Geriatric Care Managers, Professional
Caregivers, Professional Organizers, families, and seniors
themselves. I have helped the elderly living on pensions without
any family support; senior couples without children but with
minor physical problems (knee, wrist) that made sorting, packing
and unpacking without help impossible; clients moving to assisted
living whose wonderful helpful children requested some guidance,
tips, and a helping hand; clients with children living in
other states, a childless couple who found themselves in a
bind when the wife broke her ankle the day after moving in,
and even a middle-aged divorcee with depression who was under
too much stress to complete her unpacking and organizing after
her move. I have referred people to other trusted sources
of assistance when their needs were beyond my companies’
capacity. I have also heard from numerous adult children,
stating “I wish I had known about you last year when
I moved my mom!” Unfortunately, many people think they
can do this without help to save money, but in the long run,
they often wish they had asked for or knew where to get more
help for both themselves or for their parents.
Some Important
Advice
Here are
some words of advice that I have gleaned from my experiences.
First of all, start sorting early! If you will be moving from
a home where you have lived over 20 years, 12 months is not
too early to start going through things, deciding what you
can part with, who you could give things to, and what you
need to donate, recycle, or throw away. Mark each item in
some way so you don’t end up sorting it again at a later
date. Start putting things that will go to one source together
in part of a room and out of your usual living space. Hire
someone or find a youth to bring things down from the attic
or up from the basement for you to sort. Stick to one area
at a time and mark things rather than walking all over the
house while you sort. Do a little bit each day, and then forget
about it. (This is only possible if you start early.)
Adult
children—if your parent wants you to have something,
take it! You can decide where to put it or what to do with
it later, but if they know cherished items are going to be
kept in the family, they will feel so much better during this
difficult emotional time. If you don’t have a year to
sort, you may need to call me to help. Adult children should
plan on the sorting process taking an average of 40 hours
of time if helping a parent due to the amount of reminiscing
they will be compelled to do while you are there. When a job
is extremely overwhelming due to excess clutter I often suggest
hiring a Professional Organizer. I can also assist in locating
reputable Auctioneers, Appraisers, Consigners, buy-out services,
estate sale professionals, etc., and can assist you in deciding
the best approach for your specific situation.
The second
important thing is to do a floor plan. You will need to do
some measuring and drawing or measuring and then taping off
areas on the carpet if you can get into your new space. A
floor plan makes sorting much easier, and will usually help
you to feel much better knowing your favorite pieces of furniture
actually will fit in your new apartment. Don’t rely
on your judgment that everything will fit because you may
pay to move furniture that you will have to give away quickly
at your destination. And you will be disappointed and confused
on moving day. Call me if floor planning befuddles you. I
can work with you with my handy magnetic kit and we can figure
it out quickly together.
Another
important thing is to find a quality moving van company. Call
me for referrals. I have worked with many good companies and
can help you get the best possible service from the company
you decide on. Very few moving companies do a full unpack
that includes organizing your items, duplicating your arrangements
on the day you move in, reconnecting all your electronics
and computers, or doing a safety check of your new surroundings
taking into consideration your specific needs. Moving Forward
specializes in this. We can also make the phone calls to arrange
for everything with the movers, landlords, family, guest suites,
timing of meals, availability of elevators and loading docks,
etc.
Our Staff
All of
our employees are part-time 2nd career professionals chosen
for their love of helping others. We are fully licensed, insured,
and bonded. We are involved in humanitarian efforts in the
community in our spare time. One call to Moving Forward can
solve all your moving difficulties, and ease your transition.
We are looking forward to meeting you and your loved ones.
(Written
by LouAnne Audette, OTR, President and Owner)
(248) 889-3559
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