Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash by Vickie Dellaquila
Moving is stressful and overwhelming especially if you have been in your home for many years. Your “treasures” are important to you even they are not necessarily important to others. Seniors face many challenges such as making decisions as to the best place to move, what to bring, the best way to move possessions and how to organize a new home. So many decisions to be made, and sometimes we all need guidance to help make them. Ms Dellaquila, a professional organizer and senior move manager, has written a step by step guide for seniors and their families on how to downsize, organize and move with the least amount of stress.
The author states that moving out of the family home usually happens anywhere from
60 years old on. Many seniors have emotional attachments to their homes and the loss of the house and the memories attached can make moving a difficult process. This book helps seniors know what they are going through is “normal” and it will help family members to understand what a senior may be experiencing when moving.
The book guides people through strategies on how to help a senior think about moving. Maybe the house is too expensive to maintain? Maybe people no longer want stairs and are looking for one level? The author suggests taking a road trip to see a few places and not place pressure on the senior. There are many options out there such as retirement communities with activities, condos where landscaping is maintained and apartment living to name a few.
Once the location is decided the difficult task of downsizing/decluttering starts. Usually homeowners cannot take everything they own to their new location. But where to begin?
Hiring a professional organizer is not a necessity but can be a huge help for family who lives out of town or due to work/family commitments does not have the time to spend decluttering.
Also, a professional organizer can act as an unbiased third party when helping make decisions.
For example, some of the services we provide at H2H Organizing are as follows:
-Sort/pack/or dispose of possessions
-Arrange for moving company
-Interact with family members
-Help arrange donates, consignments and appraisals
-Work with real estate broker
-Help on moving day
-Help unpack/organize new living space
-Organizing/Maintenance after move
A challenge when moving is what to do with the many boxes of keepsake items accumulated through the years such as yearbooks, photo’s, special collections and memorabilia. One technique Ms. Dellaquila employed with a client was suggesting 5 categories:
-Before marriage
-Travel
-Children
-After marriage
-Career
She purchased 5 bins and labeled each bin one of the categories. She guided the client to save “only the amount of memorabilia that would fit in each container.” This gave the client the understanding to only keep what was truly important and meaningful. Months later after the move, the client was able to sit down with her granddaughter and scrapbook what she saved. What a wonderful way to share memories between generations!
Speaking of keepsakes, at H2H we suggest removing photos out of frames and donating the frames. Maybe scan the photos and create a book. If you have a prom dress or high school letter jacket, maybe cut a swatch of fabric as a memory? There are many ways to declutter and still keep your memories alive.
Chapter 8 is key as it deals with what you will need to bring to your new home. For example, do you need lawn tools if the landscaping is being done for you? If you are moving to a warm climate it may be time to donate your winter coats. Are your meals provided and if so what cooking utensils do you really need? Also important to think about is what furniture to bring and what will fit? There are good suggestions on how to measure and decide what to take with you on moving day.
Chapter 13 deals with the actual move. Suggestions on packing yourself are excellent.
For example, an “open me first” box with items such as toilet paper, tissues, lamp and bulbs, snacks, pet supplies etc…The author also deals with how to hire a moving company, questions to ask and what to expect from the movers. Such valuable information!
As with most professional organizers, Ms. Dellaquila does follow-up with her clients 6 months after the move. There is information at the end of the book with references and websites for senior move assistance. This book will guide you during the downsizing process and alleviate any resentment and frustration. The advice in this book will ensure a smooth transition and make the move as stress free as possible.
