Interview - SWCAA

At House to Home Organizing,  we have helped many families in multi-generational homes who are either transitioning to the next life stage living situation or have loved ones who are downsizing. Often, our clients tell us they are overwhelmed and don't know how to begin. We spoke with Sharon Gesek, Director of Programs at The Southwestern CT Agency on Aging to help provide solutions to some of the challenges that older adults face.

For the busy person, what is the best description for Southwestern CT Agency on Aging?

SWCAA is a private, not-for-profit organization, designated by the federal government (according to the Older Americans Act of 1965) as an Area Agency on Aging, SWCAA is a funding source for federal and state dollars for the elderly in a fourteen town region of southwestern Connecticut.

Funding supports services such as in-home care, nutrition, legal, health, adult day care/respite, transportation, senior centers, outreach/social support and Information and Assistance.

What are the common challenges for older adults in Connecticut? 

Connecticut isn’t all that different than other states with one of the most challenging obstacles for adults as they age, navigating a complex, and at times confusing landscape of Long Term Services and Supports.

You offer numerous programs, what are the ones most in demand?

Access to In-Home Services and Supports to delay or prevent institutionalization, Caregiver Resources, Information and Assistance with Health Insurance Options and Medicare and Grant Opportunities to the Community.

For new caregivers of older parents, what areas should they focus on to get them started?

That’s a tough questions because each family situation is a bit different. I would start with calling a CHOICES counselor at one of five CT Area Agencies on Aging to get individual options that suit the caregiver and care recipient. An Information Specialist will need to get personal information and will then review available options to you and offer assistance in accessing the services you feel are suitable for your loved one. 

It could be connecting an individual with the VA, respite for the caregiver, or possibly in-home services through the CT Homecare Program for Elders.

You help older adults avoid scams, can you discuss the program?

SWCAA has an Informational Specialist who coordinates the Senior Medicare Patrol Program.  This is a nationwide program that provides one-on-one counseling and assistance to people on Medicare help them better understand their Medicare summary notices and understand billing and other paperwork that may be confusing or overwhelming. If there is a suspicious case or circumstances, the SMP Coordinator or a trained volunteer, can help beneficiaries report fraud to the proper state and federal authorities. Community SMP presentations  are offered at a whole host of area sites including libraries, Senior Centers, Community Centers, and faith based organizations. SWCAA will work with any organization that is willing to sponsor a community presentation to alert beneficiaries how to; Prevent, Detect and Report fraud and scams. 

The Downsizing Dilemma

3 sets of china, silver from a grandparent, a dining room table and chairs from the 1940’s, multi-generational photos, antique lamps, these are just a few examples of decisions a homeowner has to make when downsizing. Trying to figure out what to take and what to keep is daunting as many of these items have been passed from generation to generation. What can make this even more stressful is moving at an advanced stage of life. Older adults may feel even more anxious due to the amount of “stuff” they have accumulated as well as the emotional aspect that comes with moving. Many seniors have lived in their homes for over 30 years.

They are used to things being in certain places and in a certain order. Change is difficult and being flexible is not as easy. As professional organizers, one of our most important jobs is to be sensitive and respectful to our client’s needs.

In many situations, children do not live close to their parents. Calling a professional organizer to help make decisions is sometimes the only option that a family has. In addition, seniors do not always have the mobility to move and lift items. Older adults may need assistance with boxing up donates or keepsakes, help to bring stored items down from an attic, or unpacking boxes which may have been stored for years in a basement or garage. This is where an experienced organizer can really make an impact.  A professional organizer will help a homeowner get appraisals on items of value, help determine what is important to bring to the new abode, help box up items for relatives, and help box up donates and plan for their removal.  What a relief for aging men and women to not have to go through the process alone.

Sometimes homeowners are so worried about the move that they have trouble determining what to take with them. To begin with, we may remove the non-sentimental items such as duplicate kitchen utensils, excess clothing, garage items no longer used etc… We may suggest the “one-year” test. For example, if something has not been used in over a year maybe it is time to discard and donate? Photographs should be removed from frames. Relatives can help transfer photos to scrapbooks or other media.

When moving to assisted living, seniors quite often do not have the space they may have had in the home they have lived in. As professional organizers, we can help them choose what furniture they can bring and help determine the best way to remove the remaining furniture. They may be comfortable with the layout they have in their current home so many times we suggest they photograph rooms they wish to recreate. A familiar layout is calming and can alleviate stress. Once in the new surroundings, we can help them unpack and organize, keeping in mind how to bring the comforts of the past to the new space.

Most importantly, when dealing with seniors we must be PATIENT. Listening and understanding to our client’s concerns are key. This is challenging, but an experienced and "professional" Professional Organizer can make the difficult task less stressful. At the end of the day, nothing is more rewarding to us than hearing “I couldn’t have done with without you” and knowing we made a huge difference in helping someone move into the next stage of their life.