Colorado - Denver North

You are never too old to learn, a statement Kathleen Arnold lives by.Kathleen has always been filled with curiosity of the world around her and has a passion for learning. She also says she must be an old soul because she has always felt a connection with the older generation. Luckily for her, she was able to create a career out of combining the two. She created a lifelong learning program business where she travels to different senior living communities and provides educational lectures on various topics.Arnold grew up as an Air Force brat and traveled the world before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1968. She would go on to graduate from college and work for the federal government in Washington D.C. and Denver. After retiring from the U.S. General Accountability Office as a supervisory management analyst, Kathleen found her calling volunteering as an educator in senior communities throughout the Denver area.She first found a special comradery and comfort with seniors in 2004 after attending her fathers WWII Bomb Group reunion. Kathleen made an immediate connection to the veterans of the Greatest Generation and volunteered as a group board member and group historian. She also began volunteering at a local nursing home that eventually turned into a part-time position as the activities director where she focused on the lifelong learning program. There she would develop educational presentations based on certain topics and teach the residents. She poured a lot of herself and passion into these programs and ended up doing so well that other communities would reach out asking her to come teach their residents.In 2014, Kathleen decided this would be a great career and took the work full-time as her own business. She now travels and teaches at 20 different communities in the Colorado area. One of them being our very own Cherry Creek Retirement Village in Aurora, Colorado.Throughout the years, Kathleen has created at least 150 presentations ranging in wildly various topics. When deciding on a topic to cover, she likes to focus on a subject that is interesting and out of the box. She loves when a resident comes up to her after a lecture thanking her for teaching them something they never knew before. Kathleen puts so much passion into these presentations that she will spend up to thirty hours researching the topic.If somebody leaves there thinking of a new memory or new knowledge, Kathleen says, then I feel like I have done something in their life - enriched their life more than when they came in. That is very rewarding for me.What would be some of her favorite topics that shes done, you might ask? She says she has no favorites, but a few do stick out.She found Normal Rockwell to be quite interesting. It is a very revealing program: Kathleen says, about his personality that people didnt know before. She has also done a presentation on Presidential first ladies, past and present.Kathleen has been teaching her program at Cherry Creek monthly for over two years. The residents love when Arnold shows up. There is always such a huge crowd, and the feedback has been excellent.

A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we believe in guiding seniors through their moves with a compassionate touch, recognizing the emotional journey involved in transitioning to a new home. Our approach focuses on creating pathways of comfort, ensuring that seniors feel supported and empowered throughout the process. From the initial planning stages to the final settling-in period, our team is dedicated to providing gentle guidance and heartfelt assistance every step of the way.We understand that moving can stir up a range of emotions, from excitement to apprehension, and we are here to offer a listening ear and a caring presence. With our expertise in senior moves, we aim to alleviate stress and uncertainty, fostering an environment of reassurance and comfort. At A Call to Order, we don't just organize relocations; we pave the way for seniors to embark on this new chapter of their lives with confidence and peace of mind.

Change can be challenging, especially for seniors who are transitioning to a new living environment. At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we understand the importance of finding comfort in change and strive to make the process of senior move management as simple and stress-free as possible. In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of senior move management and provide practical tips for navigating this transition with ease. Understanding Senior Move ManagementSenior move management involves coordinating and overseeing the relocation process for seniors who are downsizing, relocating to a new home, or transitioning to a senior living community. This comprehensive service encompasses everything from decluttering and packing to coordinating logistics and settling into a new space. By partnering with experienced professionals, seniors and their families can alleviate the stress and logistical challenges associated with moving.Practical Tips for Simplifying Senior Move ManagementStart Early: Begin the senior move management process as early as possible to allow ample time for planning and preparation. Create a timeline outlining key tasks and deadlines, and break down the process into manageable steps. Starting early can help reduce stress and ensure that all aspects of the move are addressed in a timely manner.Declutter and Downsize: Before packing for the move, declutter and downsize belongings to reduce the amount of items that need to be transported. Encourage seniors to carefully consider which possessions are essential and bring joy, and let go of items that no longer serve a purpose or hold sentimental value. This process can be emotionally challenging, so offer support and encouragement throughout.Create a Floor Plan: Obtain a floor plan of the new living space and strategize furniture placement and layout in advance. This will help seniors visualize how their belongings will fit into the new environment and make informed decisions about what to bring with them. Consider the senior's mobility and accessibility needs when planning the layout to ensure a safe and comfortable living space.Pack Strategically: Pack belongings systematically, labeling boxes according to room and contents to facilitate the unpacking process. Use sturdy packing materials and protective padding for fragile items, and keep essential items easily accessible for immediate use upon arrival at the new home. Encourage seniors to pack a "first-day essentials" box containing toiletries, medications, bedding, and other necessities.Coordinate Logistics: Coordinate logistics such as hiring professional movers, scheduling transportation, and arranging for utilities to be transferred or set up at the new residence. Keep important documents, such as medical records, legal paperwork, and financial documents, organized and easily accessible throughout the moving process. Consider enlisting the help of a senior move management company to streamline these logistics and ensure a smooth transition.At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we understand that change can be overwhelming, especially for seniors facing a relocation. Our team of experienced professionals is here to provide compassionate support and expert guidance every step of the way. With our comprehensive senior move management services, we aim to simplify the transition process and help seniors find comfort in change. Let us be your trusted partner in navigating this important life transition with ease and peace of mind.

Today there are more options than ever for residential housing geared toward supporting people in their later years. Making sense of the options requires first determining how much assistance will be needed on a daily basis, as well as the kind of support needed. From there, its a matter of matching up the type of community with those needs. Then, weighing costs, location, and fit can help narrow the options to the perfect one for you or your loved one.Determining the level of support neededA good first step is to make an honest assessment of the amount of assistance needed to perform routine daily activities, or ADLs:Personal hygiene bathing and showeringDressing choosing what to wear and being able to dress and undressEating feeding oneself, not cookingMaintaining continence being able to use a restroom, including getting on and off the toiletTransferring/mobility being able to get out of bed and chairs and walk from one location to anotherFor each ADL, people can vary from needing a little support to full dependency, meaning a care partner is required to do the task for them.After assessing the amount of support needed, youll need to determine which type of community will meet those needs.Independent LivingIf someone can perform activities of daily living on their own, without help, an independent living situation may be the best option. Residents can be part of the social fabric of a vibrant community while maintaining an independent lifestyle and saving on costs.Assisted LivingAssisted living communities will provide non-medical help and some assistance with activities of daily living while encouraging residents to live as independently as possible. Apartment-style living is common in assisted living communities and residents are generally able to get around on their own. Costs for assisted living typically fall between those of independent living residences and facilities that offer skilled nursing. Wheelchair-bound seniors and those who need help with ongoing medical issues may need to consider a skilled nursing community.Skilled NursingThose needing higher levels of care will find skilled nursing communities are better equipped to handle their needs. In addition to assisting with activities of daily living, skilled nursing communities provide around-the-clock support for people who need daily medical care for chronic illnesses. They handle complex medical care and supervision, including:wound careinjectionsIV therapymonitoringphysical, occupational, and speech therapiesStays in skilled nursing communities could be short-term or long-term depending on needs. For example, short-term rehabilitation is common after an injury. During short-term rehab, treatment sessions like physical therapy are employed to achieve the goal of getting the body back in working order.Considering CostsSkilled nursing communities are typically the most expensive of the options discussed as they provide medically intensive care. In assisted living, costs vary by floor plan and according to what services and amenities are included. A variety of monetary sources should be considered as ways to pay for care. Private financing options include long-term care or life insurance policies, reverse mortgages, annuities and trusts.Government aid may be available in some circumstances when qualifications are met. Options to consider include Medicare, Managed Care, Medicaid, and PACE. Visit our FAQ page for more information on financing options.Finding the right fitAn old real estate adage states the three most important things a property should have are location, location, and location. When searching for a community, keep in mind that a good location might mean different things for different people. Does the community offer proximity to family and friends, doctors, parks and community spaces, shopping and restaurants?The best communities offer a range of options that cover changing needs. Is the community designed to offer a continuum of care? Could a resident transition from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing over time? If so, this would alleviate concerns about future needs. The best community doesnt just meet basic needs, it provides a caring atmosphere where one feels at home. Schedule a virtual tour and be sure to do a gut check. Does it feel like just a place to hang a hat or does it embrace the art of fine living at any age? Ensuring a good fit will save the cost and stress of another move.