The Gift of Organization: Simplifying the Holidays for Seniors and Their Families

Moving can be one of lifes most challenging experiences, especially for seniors. As we transition into new chapters, its essential to create environments that are not only functional but also warm and inviting. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand that a successful move goes beyond packing and unpacking; it's about thoughtfully curating a new space that fosters comfort, connection, and joy. In this blog, well explore how to facilitate a smooth transition for seniors while preserving cherished memories and relationships.The Emotional Landscape of Moving for SeniorsMoving can evoke a whirlwind of emotions, including nostalgia, anxiety, and even excitement. For seniors, it often involves leaving behind a home filled with memories. Recognizing this emotional landscape is critical to ensuring a positive experience. Here are some strategies to create a supportive atmosphere during this transition.Acknowledge the Importance of MemoriesWhen helping seniors move, it's vital to acknowledge their emotional ties to their belongings. Encourage them to take time to reflect on the items that hold sentimental value. This process can serve as a beautiful trip down memory lane and allows them to decide what they wish to keep or let go.Create a Memory Book: Before packing, set aside time to create a memory book. Encourage seniors to write down their favorite stories associated with significant items. This can not only help in the decluttering process but will also preserve those memories for future generations.Invite Family Participation: Engage family members in the process. When loved ones join in, it not only provides emotional support but can also help in making decisions about what stays and what goes. Sharing stories about the past can strengthen family bonds and create a sense of togetherness.Celebrate Transition with Meaning: Instead of framing the move as a loss, frame it as a new beginning. Host a small farewell gathering where friends and family can share their favorite memories about the home and celebrate the individual's new journey.Creating a Warm and Inviting New SpaceOnce the decision to move has been made, its time to think about how to infuse warmth and familiarity into the new environment. Creating a comfortable and inviting space is crucial for helping seniors feel settled and at ease.Thoughtful Organizing and DesignPersonalize the New Space: As professional organizers, we emphasize the importance of making a new space feel personal. Encourage seniors to bring their most cherished itemsphotos, artwork, or heirloomsto decorate their new environment. This will provide a sense of continuity and comfort.Focus on Functionality: Think about the daily routines of seniors and how their new space can best accommodate them. Arrange furniture for ease of movement, and keep frequently used items easily accessible. Consider integrating features like illuminated pathways to avoid falls and make the space more user-friendly.Incorporate Familiar Colors and Textures: Use familiar colors or textures that evoke pleasant memories. A favorite blanket or a well-loved chair can spark comfort and familiarity, making the new space feel like home.Create Cozy Gathering Spots: Ensure there are comfortable areas to gather with family and friends. Whether its a well-placed recliner, a cozy reading nook, or a dining table for family dinners, having inviting spaces encourages connection and warmth.A Thoughtful Transition Made SimpleAt A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that every move, no matter how difficult, can lead to a beautiful new chapter. By acknowledging the emotional ties seniors have to their belongings and creating thoughtful, inviting spaces, we are committed to supporting seniors and preserving family bonds through every transition.As we head into 2025, remember that moving doesnt have to be a daunting task; it can be an opportunity for connection, love, and growth. Together, lets ensure that every senior move is filled with warmth and joy as they embark on their new journey. For more support, tips, and guidance, reach out to us. Were here to help make every transition seamless and heartfelt.

Seniors have earned their safety net of Social Security and Medicare, but to truly thrive they need to move beyond the well-planned life to add something unexpected: personal risk.  Its one of the oddest twists of modern society Americans spend most of their lives being encouraged to work hard to do difficult things. As soon as we hit a certain age, though, its all about easing up and backing off. Grandma, take a break! Give it a rest, Grandpa! You dont want to chance a fall there! The problem is, weve become so preoccupied with surplus safety at all times for seniors that we have stripped away too many of the surprises and unexpected twists that make life worth living. Is it any wonder that seniors now are battling an epidemic of boredom, depression, and loneliness? Few people of any age find meaning and purpose in doing the same thing, at the same time, in the same way, every day. We need to mix it up and try something new a physical challenge, a different setting, a new learned skill.  As a career nurse and chief executive of a complete senior health company, I know that the only risk-free environment is a coffin. No point rushing our way into there. One of the best solutions to bring risk to seniors is to borrow an idea from the younger generations. Seniors should go gaming.  No, grandparents may not want to take up Minecraft, Fortnite, or Call of Duty. (Though if they want to try it, by all means, go for it.)  Im also not a big fan of one traditional eldergame, namely, bingo, which is too much about luck and not enough about skill and performance mastery as a source of motivation. There is little in bingo that offers true risks or competition to benefit others.  The better games promote the physical and mental skills that can go unexercised as people grow older. For families and friends, an excellent plan is to tap into the data collected by Apple watches and Fitbit-style fitness trackers. How many steps a day can you record? How many days a week can you record steps that meet your goal? Instead of making it an individual competition, we see better gains and more fun overall when people are assigned to a team.  A team competition makes you responsible to others, not just yourself. Its human nature to push yourself harder when others are relying on you. Maybe the team is made up of family and loved ones. Maybe its friends and neighbors. The overall goal is to get everyone accountable and moving.   In our own health business, we have 1,000 seniors, aged 60s to 100 and up, who compete in Spark Performances, which include an annual TRY-athlon Tournament, a remote-control National Forklift Racing League, and The Grip Games. There also is the Spark Challenge, where community teams battle for the league championship using walkers, stationary bikes, and arm cranks. Every week the 32 teams in the league tune in to The Really Big Show, an ESPN-style Sports Center wrapup that features results and league standings. Established powerhouse teams are the Dragonflies, Cardinals, and River Rats. The competition is fueled by a $32,000 tournament purse. Of course, not everyone can do the more physically demanding tasks though a 95-year-old is one of our leading hallway runners but every team has a place for someone, including coaches, statisticians, and cheerleaders.  How is it safe to have great-grandmothers running down hallways in walkers? The truth is, its not completely safe. But thats the point. And its also really fun.  A few weeks ago, an 80+ woman was competing in the hallway run when she slipped, fell, and cut her knee. In the emergency room, the doctor asked her how the injury happened. I fell in a triathlon, she replied.  The doctor thought she was joking until the woman asked to be patched up as quickly as possible, so she could complete her remaining two events. She was extremely proud and definitely adamant she really, really did not want to let down her team.  What she saw was a chance to win. What our medical team saw was strength, purpose, and belonging. Whether in a senior community or in life, aging is a team sport. As our years go up, we depend more on others to reach our goals. Our team may include family, friends, medical professionals, or even a fellow hallway racer on a walker. Well do better together, if only we take that risk to challenge our minds and bodies with something new.  Joel Theisen, BSN, RN, is founder and chief executive of Lifespark, a Minnesota- based complete senior health company. Follow him on Twitter: @Lifespark_CEO.

As we age, transitions in life become inevitable. Whether its downsizing to a smaller home, moving into assisted living, or simply re-evaluating living spaces, each change can stir a mixture of emotions. At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we understand both the logistics and the emotional weight of these transitions for seniors and their families. Our heartfelt mission is to support seniors in navigating these changes while preserving the precious family bonds that hold us together. In this blog, we will explore strategies to ease these transitions, ensuring both seniors and their families feel supported and connected.Embracing Change: The Power of CommunicationOne of the most challenging aspects of transitioning for seniors is the emotional aspect of letting goof belongings, routines, and sometimes even their homes filled with memories. For families, these transitions can invoke feelings of worry, sadness, and concern. However, by fostering open communication, families can significantly ease the pressure of these changes.Tip 1: Initiate Family Conversations EarlyEncouraging family discussions about transitions can help everyone involved feel heard and understood. Rather than waiting until the move is imminent, families should engage seniors in conversations about their needs and preferences well in advance. This not only empowers seniors but also brings family members together to collaboratively create a plan.Discussing the logistical aspects, such as downsizing and organizing belongings, can help ensure that the senior feels involved in decision-making. Encourage family members to share what items are meaningful to them; discussing cherished possessions can create a sense of belonging and connection.Tip 2: Share Memories and CelebrateTransitions can lead to feelings of loss, but they can also be an opportunity to celebrate cherished memories. Plan a "memory-sharing" day where family members come together to reminisce about favorite moments and standout possessions. Encourage seniors to express the stories behind their treasured items, helping them understand that even as belongings change, memories remain intact.Documenting these storiesthrough audio recordings, written notes, or even photographscan beautifully merge the past with the present. Acknowledging the emotional significance of items eases the process of letting go and strengthens familial ties through shared experiences.The Role of Professional Organizers: Easing Transitions with CompassionAt A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we pride ourselves on serving as compassionate partners during these transitions. Our approach is centered around supporting seniors in their unique journeys, providing expertise and emotional care that fosters family connection.Tip 3: Customized Organizing PlansOnce the family discussions have occurred, well work with you to develop a personalized organizing plan tailored to the specific needs of your loved one. This plan might involve sorting belongings, decluttering, and facilitating the donation or sale of items not needed in their new space. By systematically approaching these tasks, we can help reduce overwhelm and ensure a smooth transition.Involving seniors in each step of the organizing process is crucial. This fosters a sense of autonomy, allowing them to retain control over their possessions and their living environment. At the same time, we educate and guide the family on how to support their loved ones effectively.Tip 4: Create a Welcoming New SpaceAs part of the transition, its essential to ensure that the new living environment feels like home. We provide expert advice on how to arrange furniture, create cozy spaces, and incorporate beloved items into a new setting, blending both old and new seamlessly.Encouraging family members to be involved in the decorating process can further strengthen bonds. Invite them to help set up the new space, making it a collaborative effort filled with joy and connection. This transforms the often daunting experience of moving into a celebration of new beginnings.Transitions Made MeaningfulNavigating the transitions that come with aging doesnt have to be a daunting task. Just as families cherish memories, they can also preserve family bonds through the support of each other during these changes. At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we believe that with the right communication and professional assistance, families can help seniors embrace change with grace and positivity.Every transition is an opportunity to reaffirm love, support, and connection. By engaging in open dialogues, celebrating memories, and seeking professional guidance, families can create new, cherished moments in the face of change. This holiday season and beyond, lets prioritize connection, understanding, and love, ensuring that our seniors feel valued and embraced through every transition.Together, we can foster environments where seniors thrive and families unitenot just in the past, but in the bright future ahead. Lets embark on this journey together, preserving bonds that last a lifetime.