[0:00] Welcome to Artful aging with your host Amy are you a senior or caregiver of a senior looking for support and direction
best-selling author educator and expert in Senior Living Amy Friesen is here with the help you need while providing you with an important and valuable support
so now please welcome the host of Artful aging Amy Friesen.
[0:30] Good morning everyone I'm Amy freezing and this is Artful aging with Amy we're live here on Bold Brave TV and Today's Show is all about,
stuff do you ever just look around and think geez I have a lot of stuff what am I going to do with the stuff no one wants my stuff.
If you're a caregiver it's probably more like man my mom has a lot of stuff and now I have to deal with it what am I going to do.
[0:55] This is the number one thing I hear from families I work with they don't know how they acquired so much things.
They don't know what they're going to do with it and no one wants it and even just this morning we had someone inquire with us because they,
I have a client who wants to move to a retirement residence who has a piano in storage and that's what's stopping her.
And so you know just the thought of having that piano and storage and wanting to move it to retirement living so a lot of the times we're just accommodating.
When we're moving and helping people move to retirement living and then a lot of times people don't use it so really you know people are just.
[1:32] Generally speaking so let's see if we can help solve this a bit it's it's very overwhelming
my guest today has been working in the stuff and things business I like to call it sometimes a Giselle for the last 20 years she's the owner of altered spaces alter lives and she's a specialist in downsizing and hoarding.
Altered space is altered lives is a One-Stop shop.
For seniors looking for support guidance and Hands-On assistance for any size project.
Now if everyone at home could give a warm welcome I can hear anybody Giselle whoo thanks to sell for coming on and welcome.
[2:11] Thank you so much again Giselle I'm having I have known each other a very long time for a number of years and when you agree that so many people get stuck when they have to make a decision because they have too much stuff.
[2:26] Oh absolutely trust me first of all thank you so much for having me on today I
pack your first segment and I really really liked it it's really quite informative and I'm sure a lot of people are enjoying this now feeling stuck it's easy to feel stuck when you look back at 50 to 60 years of accumulation
there's just so many scenarios that we come across
whether you're a couple that have been together forever or do you floss the loss if you've lost a loved one and are now facing the daunting task of doing it on your own
car with your children I have seen so many people feel stuck because of their stuff
this can often lead to seniors not wanting to make the move even if it's the best thing for them.
[3:12] And what's the common concern that you see generally speaking is there anything that really sticks out
number one what really where did you begin not knowing where to begin or not being able to deal with the emotional side of letting go is not uncommon
breaking the process down into categories rooms and creating timelines is you know often an easy
an easy start as you said in your first segment.
Plan plan plan eh see I got everybody on board with that plan plan scenario yeah I often have the client set the move date first.
And then we set reasonable timelines for getting things done you know set your goals and work towards them.
[4:01] And would you think that that is the best time like to start looking at downsizing when somebody's looking at a move or when is the best time.
Oh yes you know when you're looking at you know at
doing the move then it's you really need to start taking a look at what you do own you know when is the best time to start that's very much a personal decision
um honestly there's more people that would like to downsize but walk the fine line of not wanting to upset family members its,
it's never too early to start the downsizing process,
having said that many people are waiting wanting to live later and they just you know just don't know where to begin and.
[4:45] You know it's like it's like do we do it alone do we do it as a family it's really a lot to think about it for them.
For sure and are there any sorts of projects that you would recommend clients start with early and their downsizing process.
Absolutely the the probably the most time-consuming projects and things that
clients can often do on their own is papers we accumulate so many papers you know how many clients have I come across that have
probably all their tax papers from like years back so it's to really look at papers.
Books downsize the books clothing hard copy photos there's you know that's that's a lot of things that you're dealing with you know a lot of tangible things if you're dealing with.
[5:37] I had a client once that had so many photos that she refused to move she couldn't move.
And I actually had to go to her house and help her sort out the photos this is when I was working in the retirement home.
And I had to go and sort them out for her just to get them in some kind of arrangement that she was comfortable because nobody wants to throw out photos but then again nobody wants the photos and everybody's digital now.
So it's really difficult to try to kind of get on top of all that paperwork type of thing.
Yeah so definitely like photos you can kind of pass down to some of the family members if they want them but it's it's all be they the paperwork that you really don't need to be hanging onto that you really should be dealing with
yes possible
well Giselle is time to take a short break but when we come back is Ella and I are going to be continuing the conversation to discuss where folks can find support for their downsizing process.
As always for more information about today's guests please join us over at Artful aging with a me.com we're on Bold Brave TV see you in a few.
[6:41] Hello welcome back to Artful aging with Amy I'm your host Amy and we are speaking with Giselle grenade Miller let's continue the conversation.
We spoke before the break about seniors and families being overwhelmed about the downsizing process.
[6:57] Giselle how do you choose the best support group to help you if you're finding the process overwhelming
well the first thing is don't ever feel like you have to do this alone you don't reach out to your family
friend or certified professional that deals with the process that you're going through make sure that it's the right fit for you if you are with a certain family member and there's some chaos happening or you know often there's young family dynamics that come into play that may not be the right
fit for you so if you have a friend on that you can trust
then you might want to give that a try but there's so many professionals like myself that we've been trained to do this so we can help you navigate through the whole process and and really you know keep it within your timeline and make it a
positive experience for you well and also not only just on your timeline but keeping it on track.
Because people get you know waylaid right all we're going to do this now is like oh squirrel and then do something else so that's exactly so we do have tools in.
For that to help you go through that whether it's using timers just so that you know timers and calendars are probably the most important thing.
[8:16] On the topic of support I often find when seniors and making a move into a retirement home knowing where they're going and having a floor plan makes it a lot easier.
So is this something that you can do with your clients and if so can you maybe explain how this can help.
Yes we do this with our clients all the time when they're moving into senior community or into anything any kind of downsizing community
I love to create the 3D floor plans for my clients they can then just kind of see it
right there they know that it's kind of like a live action figure there the
the floor plan and the furniture all done to scale so that's going to tell you exactly what is going to fit in there.
So basically if you currently have four closets full of clothing and you're moving into a one closet home.
[9:13] What you want to be doing at that point is you want to be focusing on downsizing within your space right away to have everything fit within one closet
then you couldn't know that that's exactly what's going to fit in your new home
making sure that you have the right size furniture for your space is very very important it is very much a safety feature I use this 3D thing.
As a safety feature because if you have too much Furniture in your space and you're not moving around you know.
Efficiently you could be causing more harm to yourself than you need to be.
[9:52] Fun too much Furniture right the curve right it goes.
You know if you're using a walker in a in a residence or even just in for downsizing in general in a new condo or whatnot and you're using a walker trying to get around there.
Stuff you have a lot of trip hazards which you know I talk to people about all the time,
and the other thing is that a lot of people who are making a move to downsize just in general are actually looking at.
New spaces that are empty.
And so people are trying to get their head around okay you know what of mine will fit in here oh Jesus face look so small because there's no furniture in it which is always a thing that all of us as professionals are dealing with with our clients raise,
no you know the bed can go here this can go there and that's why it's so important.
To also have the floor plan if you're going to move forward like that because then you can actually see it I know even when I make a move my I'm not as sophisticated as you just yell
but you know I kind of my little tiny pieces and I cut it out you know I've got like a map of you know whatever room it is,
and I've got a little sofa and I you know everything gets in its place so it's it's super healthy people,
the important thing to realize is that if you're going to be moving and keeping everything safe chances are you are not going to injure yourself you don't injure yourself that means you are going to remain independent for longer.
[11:15] That's true right and that's what everybody wants and want to stay as independent as long as possible regardless of where they're downsizing even if they're just downsizing in their home right to make it safer,
and I get in my first episode everybody wants to go out feet first right and so this is one of those things that will ensure that you can stay longer in your home so.
And what about those folks who have acquired collections through the years and are making a move to a smaller space.
What are some of the things or some of the ways people can deal with collections.
They may no longer have room for other things that they just can't bring they don't have room for,
you know working a collections can be kind of tricky collections from the past are so very special to my clients in
if the client wants
to take these with them to their next destination we need to review that 3D floor plan to see how can we save these things how where can we be placing them because a collection.
[12:15] Stored in boxes is not a collection
it's just storage it collection should be displayed so it's to find the proper manner of displaying these collections now if these collections are just not going to fit within your space we may want to look at doing something else it's going to be difficult to let these things go
so maybe what we want to do is take photos of these items and make a coffee table book.
So then this way that collection is still there if you're wanting to sit there and review all these loved pieces that you've acquired in the past it'll still be there with you it's just not all going to be stacked in boxes and you know when your closet.
[12:54] I'm use that photography coffee book kind of look before with some clients because a lot of people that are downsizing to another space.
I've lived in their homes for.
40 50 60 years and so even just the home itself you know take a picture of the house put it in that book and whatnot and start Gathering that stuff.
So it's a you know it does help you no it's not that,
perfect solution because everybody doesn't want to move generally speaking but I do find that it does help and then the other thing before we go to commercial break here is just to mention that you know my lady with the piano a lot of people have storage units.
That they think they have to empty out before they make a move
I would suggest maybe to leave it to the end because it's already in storage what do you think about that absolutely absolutely pianos is a tough one to to be letting go up
they don't really even sell very well but some of these collections can also be sold so as a personal property appraiser I could also help you you know I'm giving you the right direction as to what is the best way of selling these items and or finding
a proper collector for them.
[14:08] For sure it looks like that's that time again when we come back from break we're going to have a look at how the pandemic has changed people's behaviors around downsizing.
Stay tuned this is Artful aging with Amy.
[14:24] Welcome back to Artful aging with Amy live on Bold Brave TV.
Before the break we were discussing what types of projects you should start with when you begin the process and who should you choose for your support network like Giselle was saying,
sometimes that support network can be family and friends but as my experiences sometimes family and friends are just a bit too close.
And you might want to bring in a professional to help you organize it or split the work and do some with family and friends and do some with professionals.
Just depending on your own personality but does l.
Are you finding that people call you as a first resource or do they call you once they've started the process and then they get overwhelmed and like oh my goodness like what do I do now.
[15:08] Well it's a little bit of both but I'd say that most of my calls come directly from my client themselves in most cases the family will have already discussed it and have decided that they want assistance from a professional
being a third party as you were saying can sometimes help mediate the process
were there to support our clients but we also want
to be working with the family and keeping them in the loop but will only do you know things with the family and friends.
[15:41] With the permission from our client so number one we work directly with the client and then we bring in the others.
[15:51] Sometimes to be able to have other people you know give them specific tasks to do that may not be overbearing for the the clients so it's yeah it's great to have a support team that's for sure.
Sometimes you have somebody that support team that you just have to give the busy task.
You need to do this and we need to take care of this and then we'll do it other stuff with other people yeah yeah.
Have you have you noticed a change since and during the pandemic have family's been approaching the Project's any differently I know that for.
You know for about a year a lot of people kind of stop the moving stop doing a lot of things what did you notice for downsizing.
[16:35] Well the pandemic was definitely an eye-opener we went from you know closing down for four weeks now was it four weeks because then we had a client calling just
panic and wondering you know if she and her husband were ever going to be able to move to the community as plan their house was sold already we had an auction ready to go and then there was a big freeze and it was like really to you know think outside of the box to see how we could be helping our clients you know
going back to these projects were working directly with the clients more and more
and we're watching the children and the grandchildren all standing in the sidelines things are starting to open up now so we're definitely getting a lot more involvement so that is great but during the pandemic that was definitely a huge change for us.
Families are so grateful for everything that we do to make the parents Transitions and the relocation process and selling their things you know done
like the one-stop-shop you had mentioned
but keeping them involved making sure that they know that their parents are being taken care of it's definitely.
[17:50] Teamwork yeah for sure and I think that
like you said with that frees people obviously didn't know how long the pandemic would last or that we were in a pandemic for the first bit of it right
and it's such a it's a global issue right now everybody has these experience with it now which is interesting as well but people didn't know you know is this a thing that's going to be on month is it going to be longer you know should we hold off should we go and a lot of people just chose to hold an inn,
a lot of activities of uprooting a different things like that even with their moves what do you see happening now that the pandemic is lightening up and people are returning to their day-to-day lives.
[18:32] I actually feel that seniors have become more independent and they're making more decisions on their own now
you know because they've kind of been put into that predicament where it was a well need to figure this out you know they're still discussing things with their children.
But they're just doing it and getting it done they just don't want things to linger on anymore they just want to move on to the next step for the clients that requiring more assistance on finding that the family members are looking
for more help from companies like yourself tea and toast and companies like Ultra spaces altered lives we're looking.
For what a new normal is and keeping it safe.
[19:16] Why not go with the Troon test companies that will keep your family members say it's like the I really find that the seniors and the families are leaning more and more that way
well and the seniors to like you said they're they're doing more and more things right and so.
They've been used to now the independent seniors that you know we're looking at maybe downsizing are moving pre-pandemic and then.
Didn't do anything kind of didn't have a choice but to become more independent and and.
Sustained kind of their environment and sustain their decisions because a lot of the family members really couldn't be there or.
They were there at reduce capacity right so they didn't have a lot of choice but to make the decisions right so I'm finding that,
a lot of them now like you're right it's the same with my business we picked up substantially because people.
[20:12] You know they are also scared a little bit I have to say of what to do right and it's also because people were in a freeze for so long right and they just like they didn't know what to do they froze and now coming out of that it's like okay now I really don't want know what to do,
who can I call and that's why I always say new support network is only a call away because a lot of people also don't have family and friends so
so how do they Rectify that are you finding the same type of thing and oh absolutely and I find that you know because more you know more than are wanting to make that move quickly now
they feel that the communities are so much safer so it's like well let's get in there let's get it done but how do we do and how do we make it happen in a timely manner it's it's definitely a lot
for the seniors and families to be thinking oh yeah a lot of different transition pieces to consider.
[21:08] Do you have you been moving anybody recently that has come up to any hurdles about like I need to participate item that they're trying to deal with right now.
[21:19] Any items that what sorry they're trying to deal with like what is there any Hot Topic item that's been coming up lately,
well what's so you know as far as the biggest thing is what are we doing with our stuff and where are we going to put it and who's
which Charities are taking what nowadays like every week we are going through this every week to see who's taking what you know what what is needed from one Community to another words the best way to be donating things what's the best way of selling their items Everything Changes weekly
so it's for us to stay on top of it so that we have these answers for our clients you know when we are there and dealing with them.
Yeah for sure you're right about the Charities and stuff of what's going to take things I remember that being a big thing because everybody shut down but.
We'll talk more about that a minute Giselle coming up on Artful aging with Amy Giselle and I are going to discuss the housing market and concerns families are having currently.
I'm your host Amy and you're watching us live on Bold Brave TV we'll be right back.
[22:29] Welcome back we are speaking with Giselle grenade Miller of altered spaces altered lives she is a downsizing expert and we're going to jump back in remember,
that you can get extra information about today's guest in our upcoming guests over on Artful aging with a me.com all their bios are there the links to the shows are there.
So if you missed a piece or you want to go back and take some extra notes just head over to Artful aging with a me.com and you can also.
Connect with me there if you're having any questions so just they'll we were discussing the changes since the pandemic what its cause.
I've noticed a large surge in people moving into retirement living this has been one of our busiest seasons on record to be honest fall.
Generally is busy and then on top of that we've got the people that didn't move during the Cove during covid and we're also starting to see that start of the baby boom surge coming right so it's a little bit of everything.
[23:29] I love it I'm in the business so I love I love working with seniors and helping them and the more that I can help the better better we are so.
[23:38] So it's partly because of the season and partly because a lot of things,
are calming down now so what are you finding in this post pandemic world that folks are.
Sell it at a finding that they're selling their home and moving or what it what are you finding out there oh yeah they're definitely
flooring that's for sure I mean this past fall season was extremely busy for home sale preparation and relocations seniors moving into communities everywhere it's like it's nonstop
it has slowed down a little bit this past month but borders are now open
so we've got some seniors that are going on getting one last crack going down south and I'm just going to go and spend the winter there one more winter and then I'll come back and deal with my stuff,
or it's the Boomers that are going away for the winter and saying
then I'm going to come back and then I'm going to help Mom and Dad with their downsizing and or by supporting them through this project and helping them get ready to move into community in the near future
it's already I'm already booked for February so I know that.
Some pictures that I spoke and with have said that this coming the end of January and February is going to be very very busy.
[25:05] Well we had a shortage of housing on the market to write because again a lot of the seniors didn't move.
Who would normally be moving into retirement living which is kind of across-the-board I'm hearing from like my greater Network across Canada and even some of my folks in the state's people.
Stopped and therefore there was a shortage of Housing and even now a lot of my people,
before moving a lot of them are getting quotes for what their houses worth now because things have changed right so you know they before they can make a decision on to what type of housing they can downsize to.
Whether it's a condo or a residence or long-term care they're actually having.
Real estate professionals come in do kind of an assessment of what it what's there.
Sorry for like the house in general to see how much it's worth so that they know because things have changed quite substantially.
Yes and I think that that's also something that is encouraging for the seniors is like their values at their homes have gone up.
So much that they're now feeling that being able to make that move into community and also I'm going into a you know a rental type fee they're feeling a lot more comfortable because they know that they're getting a lot more Equity from their home
so they have that little Nest Egg that's going to make it a lot easier for them Comfort wise.
[26:32] For sure and then you know a lot of people generally feel that for retirement living it could be pretty expensive right depending on care.
[26:41] Size of Suite all the things.
And so just having that little bit of extra cushion really helps people make this really difficult decision because I said not many people,
want to you know pick up and move to Assisted Living of some sort a lot of people are afraid of cost and what not and so just having that extra edge of money does set their their concerns he's a little bit.
Absolutely.
Yeah what are what are some of the main concerns families are having now that maybe they didn't have before the pandemic well working around the pandemic and all the uncertainty,
uncertainties that come with it you know we never know one month to the other what's going to happen we believe that we are now on you know the right trend of keeping the numbers down
but there's still the families and our clients are still very much in tune
about how people are working around them and whether or not companies that they're bringing in are abiding by safety protocols
they want to make sure that they are going to be safe they're making a big change into their lives wanting to move into different Community they want to remain healthy throughout the process and actually get there so that they can you know remain healthy.
[28:04] You know right now I'm finding that everything coming back to a little bit more of a normal
the families are now dealing with a lot more of with their children and their children's lives is that whole life balance now we're back into sports we're back into ballet we're back into doing all of that so now you know the
the younger children are busy with their regular life again and so Mom and Dad who are doing the downsizing process may not have that assistance that's needed
you know if they're so busy and.
[28:42] Frankly everybody's happy to be going back to a little bit more of a normal lifestyle and you know.
They just want to make sure that they're going to be safe that's it that's all.
Hope it's not gone well and on the topic of you know people going back.
To work and to ballet and all that stuff and finding that.
I'm a caregiver of a toddler myself I'm finding that a lot of people are poor wrecked.
From that piece of the extra stress that cold.
[29:22] Dick and the consistency across the board of always having that
extra pressure of you know being safe and not being able to go out and all that stuff and so that all compounds quite a bit and then and now everybody's going back so now the schedules are getting busier but they're compounding,
on the stress level that was already there.
So I'm finding that really tricky with a lot of our family members that and I think that's probably why they're looking for a more professional help now because they just don't have enough time,
or stress reserves to be able to help their loved one at the moment and they just need that little bit of extra help.
[30:06] Yeah or so
go ahead no II agree Amy at some you know because when we're looking at the you know a lot of people are working from home as well that's added stress you know it's
every day is a new normal.
[30:25] And finding that that right fit is so important and making sure that your
you're able to remain healthy and that you're able to support each other and you know keep the communication open within families so that you can help
from each other you know navigate through whatever process is you're going through.
For sure well let's continue the chat after the break this is our full aging with Amy live on Bold Brave TV.
[30:59] Hello welcome back thanks for joining us we have been discussing the process of downsizing with our guests Giselle grenade Miller from Ultra spaces alter lives.
I'm going to bring us even deeper into the conversation look at it from a different point of view now Giselle,
I know that you're super excited about this segment but I happen to know that you've been helping
your parents downsize and relocate all well you exist in a different province which is something our clients go through all the time
so as first-hand experience now how have you been feeling about the process and the role as both a daughter and a sister.
[31:38] Well I have to tell you that this is still very very fresh in my mind as a matter of fact I leave tomorrow to go back to Winnipeg because that is when I will be moving my parents into community
so it started the October,
Thanksgiving weekend I went to visit my parents that had been two years since we had seen them due to covid
and so I was just going there on vacation and while there we just have a nice long discussion and next thing you know my parents said that they would like to go and visit a community and I made arrangements for tour
lo and behold there was a room ready for them my parents fell in love with the community fell in love with the room
just loved everything about it and that evening decided that yes we're going to move in so to top that off.
They then decided that we're going to move in and one and a half months so now I'm working with a very very short timeline and I'm working
with what I thought was my vacation so long behold that vacation turned into a work week for me
first thing I did was of course we had a family meeting my two sisters and my parents and first thing we had to do was create that timeline.
[33:06] You know like time was short I'm in and out I need to go back to Ottawa because I do have a business to run here and I do have clients book
so during that short week that I was there we managed to start going through a household.
Full of stuff my parents have lived there for 50 years so.
It's an accumulation they're not quarters it's just a lifelong accumulation of stuff that they've had.
[33:39] How did I feel I definitely got to see the other side of things.
Because now I was cut going across I was going through things and getting you know these emotional feelings
this of these attachments and so you know I was kind of going out you know what this is you know how people really feel when they're dealing with this the other thing is I was also working with my siblings
not my staff my siblings so that could you know create a whole bunch of new stories there but.
Yeah when it all comes down to it is that.
[34:18] My sisters have been living in Winnipeg their whole time they have banned the primary caregivers to my parents and I'm so grateful for everything that they've been able to do for my parents but we all.
Overnight had to come to terms with the fact that this was a decision that was made by our parents and we are just have to
work together to make this happen for them so a lot of communication is needed and you know luckily I feel that I was able to guide them I don't know if they
felt that they got guidance or if they felt that I was just the older sister that was being bossy I'm not sure.
Do you feel like it's a little bit of a weird situation I know my parents are going to be watching this as well but so you were both in hot water Giselle but,
you know it's a weird situation being a professional but then having to deal with it in your own family right because.
You know there's stuff that comes up in my family too and it's like well you know that I do this for a living maybe you could take my lead for a while,
but it's bent.
[35:28] So it's hard to get everybody on board as well but yes I mean I've been trying it's like I'm so happy that they're doing this I've been
trying for four years to get them to to move to this exact community and there was always some resistance and I'm going okay when they're ready when they're ready that's fine but it's like we all knew that this was going to happen eventually
or at least we hoped it would so that they can continue to flourish and you know,
go into a fabulous community and remain independent and also be able to spend time with new friends and even some old friends that they know that
live there so you know like it's so many you know bonuses to that I'd have to say on my sisters are not made of the same cloth as me I am an organizer I you know
those scream stuff I can just do it and part of me just did that like I just went in and it was called kind of like a work date until you know I got hit
this emotional stumbling block once in a while.
[36:29] This is not anything that might my sister's desire to do and so they were overwhelmed
and they still are overwhelmed because I do check in with them you know all the time to see you know how are things going and especially with one of my sisters who was a live-in caregiver for my parents,
so for so many years being a live-in caregiver.
I could see that there was burnout happening so I knew that this was the best thing not only for my parents but also for my sister so that everybody could continue to be a family,
instead of just being Caregivers for each other.
[37:09] And what I often say if you were if your family was my client what I would also often say to my,
families of my seniors is you haven't you didn't have to argue this piece they chose to make a move.
And they then they actually went and went through and went forward to make this move so you've already winning so all the rest is gravy on top
so Italy honestly you know if I was not able to go and this is my third time going back to help with the home sale relocation and move.
Um I seriously would have hired a senior move manager in Winnipeg is my family.
Yeah for sure well our time which is our has come to an end thanks so much for joining us today Giselle.
As a reminder you can find out more information on Ultra spaces and Giselle yourself on Artful aging with a me.com.
If you think you are a family member could benefit from these Services head over and connect with Giselle and if you're in another area and have a look at what Gizelle can offer so maybe you can help find it in your area.
Stay tuned after the break we're going to go through my top tips this is Artful aging with Amy on Bold Brave too.
[38:22] Hi again thanks so much for joining me today we covered a lot so let's chat about what I think our top tips of today are.
So number one start early.
For those of you getting to know me I'm all about planning your heard giselle's all about planning anybody that does this for a living is going to tell you to plan of course so even if you don't lift a finger yet
making a timeline and a plan will help keep your stress levels down and let me tell you this process does not need any extra stress.
So do yourself and your family a favor and make sure that you can at least get some things in writing get it down so that you know what the next steps might be.
[39:02] Number two if you are making a move to a smaller setting.
Obtaining a floor plan is ideal that way you can figure out what you have room to bring and what you.
For in it definitely helps if you're looking to downsize to a smaller condo apartment retirement residence whatever you're looking to do.
It does help because most of the time you're seeing that without any furniture in it so it's really difficult to know and even my.
I have a hard times you know they have a queen bed.
Does it fit here I don't know I don't feel like it's going to fit here and so just really figuring out where everything goes and then it will help you on the other end,
this step alone often helps families immensely and number three gather a support network.
You don't have to do this alone whether its family or friends or professionals or a mixture of the boat of everything get some help.
Again you can always divide and conquer and send those family members that are really good at X Y and Z over there and they can do that.
And be busy with that well you deal with something else.
[40:09] Sometimes or definitely too many cooks in the kitchen so use people skills and what they're good at so that they can really help along the path.
[40:19] I always like to say that my team is enthusiastic enough about retirement living for the both of us and what it really means is find a professional
who loves what they do and will be able to bring the extra enthusiasm you might not have yet I can tell you most times when people downsize and make a move.
They are not overly excited about it but if you work with someone that can really bring that enthusiasm that can really bring that direction,
you're going to feel better but the process you're going to feel calmer and then hopefully at the end of the time you'll feel happy with your move.
[40:54] There you have it I like I would love if you could take a minute to like this show on the video or the podcast app that you're listening to us on it really helps boost,
our ratings and opens the door for other families to find Artful aging with Amy more easily.
On next week's show we're going to look at healthy aging what it includes how to do it you don't want to miss it.
[41:16] And if you're struggling with piecing together the senior living industry had over again to our website or pledging with a me.com there's resources there for sure just click on the tab it's all ready for you.
And also if you're in Canada and you're struggling with making a move there's also a resource on that page for you for my network of Canadian retirement advisors,
that also have connections in your city so whether you're looking for a downsizing expert.
And whomever else real estate then you'll be able to find what you need by contacting this group of folks.
[41:48] Thanks again for joining us with Artful aging with Amy we're live on Bold Brave TV,
from you oh wonderful Wednesday.
[42:01] You've been listening to Artful aging with host FEMA.
Many folks just like you feel they're alone in their journey and helping a loved one or.
So tune in each week and let a me show you that help is around the corner and it's just one conversation away here on Artful Aging with Amy.
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