SBB Senior Care Spotlight Welcomes Karen Sumey, LCSW of Windhorse Elder Care

Author

Windhorse Elder Care

Posted on

Nov 07, 2020

Book/Edition

Colorado - Boulder County

In this episode of Senior Care Spotlight, we welcome Karen Sumey, LCSW. Karen is a clinical supervisor with Windhorse Elder Care. Karen shares how their "team approach" helps their senior clientele, some who are living with dementia or mental health concerns.

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Treasured Keepsakes: Organizing Your Most Precious Senior Possessions

As we move through life, we accumulate objects that tell the story of who we are and the relationships weve cherished. For seniors, these items often hold even deeper meaningeach photo, letter, and memento carries with it a lifetime of memories. But over time, these treasured possessions can become overwhelming, taking up space and creating clutter. The challenge lies in finding ways to honor these memories while maintaining a home that feels organized, peaceful, and comfortable.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand that decluttering is not just about making space; its about preserving the essence of what matters most. Our goal is to help you organize your most precious senior possessions with love and respect, creating a living environment that reflects your unique journey. In this blog, well explore how to thoughtfully organize keepsakes so that theyre both accessible and lovingly preserved for years to come.Curating Your Collection with CareWhen it comes to organizing treasured possessions, its important to approach the process with care and intention. Each item holds a memory, a connection, or a piece of history, so the goal is not to discard these items, but to thoughtfully curate a collection that truly represents your lifes most meaningful moments.Step 1: Begin with ReflectionBefore diving into the organization process, take some time to reflect on which items hold the most emotional value. Sorting through personal belongings can be a deeply emotional experience, so its essential to go at your own pace. Ask yourself: Which items make you smile when you see them? Which ones carry stories you want to share with loved ones? This initial reflection helps you identify the objects that deserve a place of honor in your home.Step 2: Categorize Your KeepsakesOnce youve selected your most precious items, its helpful to categorize them. Group similar items together, such as family photos, letters from loved ones, travel souvenirs, or heirlooms passed down through generations. This process allows you to see what you have and makes it easier to decide how to display or store them.At A Call to Order, we guide our clients through this process, helping them sort through their possessions with empathy and care. We understand that parting with certain items can be difficult, so we focus on keeping what truly matters while organizing in a way that feels manageable and comforting.Step 3: Display with PurposeFor many seniors, having their most meaningful items on display is a way to keep memories alive. Whether its a shadow box of family heirlooms, a curated photo wall, or a memory shelf filled with travel mementos, displaying items thoughtfully can bring daily joy. Consider rotating your collectionputting some keepsakes on display for a season, while safely storing others for future enjoyment. This way, your living space doesnt feel cluttered, but still reflects your lifes rich tapestry of memories.Safekeeping and Sharing Your LegacyAfter organizing your cherished possessions, its just as important to ensure their safekeeping and plan how to pass them along to future generations. Preserving your legacy can be a deeply fulfilling process, and A Call to Order can help you every step of the way.Step 1: Create a Safe Storage SystemFor items that are not on display, having an organized storage system is key to keeping them safe and accessible. Use labeled, archival-quality boxes to store fragile items like old photographs, letters, or documents. These containers are designed to protect against deterioration and ensure that your keepsakes stay in excellent condition. Be sure to label boxes or storage bins clearly so that you and your family can easily locate items when the time comes to reminisce or share memories.Step 2: Digitize Important MemoriesOne way to ensure the longevity of your precious possessions is by digitizing them. Old photos, important documents, and even handwritten letters can be scanned and saved digitally, providing peace of mind that these memories wont be lost to time. Digital copies can also be shared with family members, allowing everyone to enjoy them without the risk of losing the originals. A Call to Order can help you set up a digital archive, ensuring that your most important memories are preserved for generations to come.Step 3: Share Your Story with Loved OnesPerhaps the most rewarding aspect of organizing your treasured keepsakes is the opportunity to share your lifes journey with family and friends. Consider creating memory albums or scrapbooks for each child or grandchild, filled with photos and personal stories that reflect your time together. Not only does this preserve your legacy, but it also strengthens bonds and creates a meaningful connection between generations.Additionally, passing along family heirlooms or special possessions can be a beautiful way to keep your legacy alive. If there are items youve always intended to pass down, take the time now to write a note about the history and significance of each one. These notes add an extra layer of meaning to the heirloom, ensuring that the story behind the object is never forgotten.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we know that organizing your most precious senior possessions is about more than declutteringits about honoring your past, preserving your legacy, and creating a space that reflects the love and memories youve gathered over the years. With thoughtful care and personalized guidance, we help seniors curate, protect, and share their treasured keepsakes, ensuring that the essence of their lives is preserved for generations to come.Whether youre looking to display your favorite memories, create a safe storage system, or pass along cherished heirlooms to loved ones, A Call to Order is here to support you in every step of the journey. Let us help you turn your collection of treasures into a beautifully organized legacy that will be treasured by generations to come.

Heartfelt Senior Connections: Strengthening Bonds with Family and Friends

As we age, our connections with loved ones become more important than ever. Family and friends provide us with support, love, and a sense of belonging. However, lifes changessuch as downsizing, moving to a new home, or even the natural progression of timecan sometimes make it challenging for seniors to maintain those vital connections. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand the emotional and physical transitions seniors face, and we are dedicated to helping them preserve meaningful relationships. Through thoughtful organizing, compassionate communication, and creating spaces for togetherness, we aim to strengthen the bonds between seniors and their loved ones, ensuring that these relationships flourish even through lifes changes.Creating Spaces for ConnectionThe physical environment we live in plays a crucial role in fostering emotional connections. By organizing your home in a way that encourages family and friends to gather, youre creating a welcoming space for relationships to deepen.Designing Living Spaces for Gathering: One of the best ways to nurture relationships is to ensure your home is set up for easy and comfortable socializing. Whether its a cozy living room for long conversations, a dining area where everyone can gather around the table, or a quiet corner for one-on-one bonding, the layout of your space can influence the way you interact with others. At A Call to Order, we help seniors organize and rearrange their homes so that every room feels open and inviting. Simple changes, like decluttering a guest bedroom or clearing space around the dining table, can make a huge difference in how you and your loved ones spend time together.Making Room for Family Memories: Over the years, we all collect memoriesphotographs, heirlooms, mementosthat tell the story of our lives and relationships. These keepsakes are not just items; they are touchstones that remind us of the people we care about. By displaying family photos or organizing cherished memorabilia in a thoughtful way, you can create spaces that invite conversation and reflection. We at A Call to Order help you curate these special items so theyre displayed beautifully, allowing your home to tell the story of your familys love and shared experiences.Nurturing Emotional Bonds through CommunicationCommunication is key to maintaining strong relationships, but for many seniors, it can become more difficult to stay in touch as they age. Physical distance, health issues, or simply feeling overwhelmed by lifes changes can create barriers. Thats why its so important to find ways to make communication easier and more meaningful.Technology Made Simple: Staying connected with loved ones, no matter where they are, is easier than ever with todays technology. However, for some seniors, the learning curve can be steep. We help bridge that gap by offering simple organizational systems for managing contacts, appointments, and even basic tech setup. By organizing your communication toolswhether its ensuring that your phone and email are easily accessible, setting up video calls with family, or creating a system to keep track of important dateswe ensure that you stay connected to the people who matter most.Organized Communication Plans: In addition to technology, creating an intentional plan for staying in touch can strengthen bonds. We can help you create a communication calendar that sets aside regular times to call, visit, or write to loved ones. Whether its a weekly phone call with grandchildren or planning family visits, having a structured plan makes it easier to maintain connections. A Call to Order can assist in organizing your schedule so that reaching out to loved ones becomes a seamless part of your routine.Fostering Moments of ConnectionBuilding meaningful connections isnt just about organizing physical spaces or creating communication plansits also about being present and making time for the people you care about.Create Intentional Time for Loved Ones: Life can get busy, but making time for those closest to us is essential for maintaining strong relationships. This can be as simple as setting aside a regular time each week for a meal with family or spending time with a close friend. We often forget how the smallest gesturessending a card, making a phone call, or having a cup of tea togethercan strengthen emotional bonds. At A Call to Order, we encourage seniors to build these moments into their daily routines, helping you carve out intentional time for the people you love.Organize for Stress-Free Socializing: When your home is organized and free from clutter, it becomes a more relaxing place to host family and friends. Removing the stress of searching for things or cleaning up allows you to focus on what really matters: spending quality time with the people you care about. By decluttering common areas and organizing your space for ease of use, we ensure that you feel confident and comfortable inviting loved ones over, making your home a welcoming place for socializing.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that senior years are a time for strengthening the bonds with family and friends that matter most. By creating spaces for connection, simplifying communication, and fostering intentional moments of togetherness, we help seniors maintain and deepen these cherished relationships. Our goal is to make it easier for you to stay connected with the people who bring joy, comfort, and meaning to your life.Whether youre looking to reorganize your home, streamline your communication tools, or simply create more space for togetherness, were here to support you every step of the way. Let us help you build a home and routine that not only brings peace and comfort but also enhances the relationships that make life so special.

Senior Home Sweet Home: Making Your Space a Sanctuary of Comfort

As we age, our homes become more than just a place to live; they become sanctuaries of comfort, filled with cherished memories and familiar surroundings. However, over time, these spaces can become cluttered or difficult to navigate, making daily life less enjoyable and even more challenging. Thats where A Call to Order Professional Organizers comes inour goal is to help you transform your home into a place of peace, safety, and warmth. Whether you or your loved one is preparing to downsize or simply enhance their living environment, creating a senior-friendly sanctuary is an essential step toward maintaining a high quality of life.Creating a Space That Reflects Comfort and EaseOur homes should feel like a reflection of who we are and what we love. As we grow older, it becomes increasingly important to have a living environment thats both functional and comforting.Simplify Your Space, Simplify Your Life: One of the first steps to creating a senior-friendly sanctuary is simplifying your living space. This doesnt mean parting with every meaningful item but rather making room for the things that bring joy and comfort. Decluttering can open up your home, reducing stress and making it easier to move around. At A Call to Order, we guide you through the process with compassion, helping you sort through your belongings in a way that feels manageable and uplifting. Together, well keep the items that truly matter and find meaningful ways to part with what no longer serves you.Functionality Meets Warmth: Its not just about eliminating clutter; its about creating a space that feels warm and inviting. Think of it as balancing practicality with comfort. Simple changes like rearranging furniture to promote easier movement, adding softer lighting, or incorporating colors and textures that bring peace can have a profound impact. We help you arrange your space so that its easy to navigate while maintaining the sense of home thats so important.Adding Personal Touches to Foster JoyWhen it comes to creating a home that feels like a sanctuary, the details matter. Often, its the personal touches that transform a house into a home.Display What You Love: Over the years, we collect treasuresphotos, artwork, souvenirsthat tell our personal stories. Rather than letting these items become part of the clutter, display them in intentional ways that spark joy. Whether its a favorite collection of books, a gallery wall of family photos, or a cherished heirloom, these personal touches not only enhance your space but also keep your most important memories front and center. At A Call to Order, we help you create beautiful, organized displays that highlight the things you love, bringing warmth and personality into every room.Comfortable and Senior-Friendly Design: As we age, physical comfort and accessibility become increasingly important. Senior-friendly design doesnt mean sacrificing style, but it does mean paying close attention to how your home functions. We work with you to ensure that your space is safe and accessible, whether its by adding grab bars in the bathroom, adjusting the height of frequently used items, or creating pathways that are clear and easy to navigate. With a focus on both beauty and functionality, well help make your home a true sanctuaryone where you can move with confidence and ease.Emotional Well-Being Through Thoughtful OrganizationCreating a space that supports emotional well-being is key to making your home a sanctuary. A clutter-free, organized environment does more than just look niceit creates peace of mind and a sense of calm.Less Clutter, Less Stress: Its amazing how much lighter and more peaceful life feels when our surroundings are organized. Clutter can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety and frustration, especially as we age. By focusing on organizing key areas such as the kitchen, bedroom, and living space, we can reduce daily stress and make your home feel more open and manageable. A Call to Orders team knows how to create systems that work for you, ensuring that everything you need is within easy reach, and every item has its place.A Space for Relaxation and Reflection: As we design your sanctuary, we consider how each space will be used and how it can enhance your daily life. Perhaps your favorite chair becomes the perfect spot for morning coffee and reflection. Maybe we create a cozy reading nook or arrange your bedroom to maximize relaxation and rest. By intentionally organizing and decorating your space to suit your lifestyle, we help you build an environment that nurtures both body and mind.Transforming your home into a sanctuary of comfort is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself as you age. With the help of A Call to Order Professional Organizers, your space can be more than just a homeit can be a reflection of who you are, filled with warmth, joy, and peace. Through thoughtful decluttering, personalized design, and senior-friendly functionality, well help you create a space that not only meets your practical needs but also brings you comfort and happiness every day.Whether youre preparing for a transition or simply want to improve the quality of your current living environment, A Call to Order is here to guide you with care, compassion, and expertise. Let us help you make your home the peaceful sanctuary you deserve.

Local Services By This Author

Windhorse Elder Care

Care Management 2299 Pearl Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302

Whether in a private residence or care facility we provide a wide range of services, from basic caregiving to geriatric care management. We are skilled professionals who create and maintain relationships with sensitivity and compassion. We specialize in mental health challenges associated with aging and illness, fostering healthy and uplifted environments. In addition, we offer counseling services to those interested.

Windhorse Elder Care

Mental Health & Counseling 2299 Pearl Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302

Whether in a private residence or care facility we provide a wide range of services, from basic caregiving to geriatric care management. We are skilled professionals who create and maintain relationships with sensitivity and compassion. We specialize in mental health challenges associated with aging and illness, fostering healthy and uplifted environments. In addition, we offer counseling services to those who are interested.

Windhorse Elder Care

Non-Medical 2299 Pearl Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302

Whether in a private residence or care facility we provide a wide range of services, from basic caregiving to geriatric care management. We are skilled professionals who create and maintain relationships with sensitivity and compassion. We specialize in mental health challenges associated with aging and illness, fostering healthy and uplifted environments.