Downsizing Seniors Immobilized by Their Stuff, Can't Make a Move
Downsizing Seniors ready to let go of weighty responsibilities of home ownership and move to the burden free and supportive environment of a retirement community are held hostage by years of accumulated belongings that must be let go of before they can make the move to the new greatly diminished living space. This emotionally charged dilemma frequently causes immobilization. "Decisive Moves, A Step By Step Guidebook..." helps seniors through this challenging later life move.
Iowa City, IA, November 21, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Seniors ready to downsize into smaller living space held hostage by family heirlooms, collected treasures, memorabilia; children say they don’t want it.
Each day hundreds of seniors across the country decide it’s time to transition into a retirement community where the living space is greatly diminished but so are the daily demands and responsibilities of home ownership. The supportive, safe environment of a senior community is also a big impetus for those making this later life move. Problem is, letting go of home maintenance, yard work, and big heating bills is easier than facing the daunting task of sorting through and letting go of years of accumulated belongings that fill the house to the brim.
“What are we ever going to do with all this?” is a common refrain uttered by seniors conflicted by this emotionally charged dilemma. Frequently, the answer is--nothing. Immobilization caused by not knowing where to start, what to keep, or how to deal with the large percentage of things not moving with (and truly, the kids don’t want the stuff) can result in a crisis style move at some point down the road precipitated by illness or worse. Unfortunately, control over decisions affecting the when where what and how of the next phase of life can be compromised for seniors who wait for such a scenario. And so goes the “stuff vs. the move” dilemma.
What to do? Accessible, senior tested and approved help is now available online in the form of an 84 page guide not surprisingly titled “Decisive Moves, A Step by Step Guide for Seniors Downsizing into Retirement Living Space.” The guide gets right to the point on its front cover in a cartoon depicting a female downsizer desperately clinging to the china cabinet filled with her grandmother’s place setting for twelve, as her husband stands pencil in hand, making the list of “furniture to move to condo.”
For the last eight years “Decisive Moves” author Gretchen Robinson, with backgrounds in Psychiatric Nursing and Professional Interior Design, has helped seniors take control of this not for sissies downsizing move. Letting go of about seventy percent of one’s belongings is a difficult pill to swallow for many, who have spent a lifetime attaining and attaching to them. “This is no cakewalk” Robinson says, “but a positive, proactive approach and a concrete plan that includes specific solutions, strategies and space planning lessons makes each phase of this move a lot more manageable, a lot less stressful.” The bottom line of course is that none of the stuff in this world goes with its owners to the next. “This is the 'less is more' phase of life, and once that philosophy is embraced, a majority of seniors report loving it!” Robinson says of former clients.
A big proponent of the recycle machine, the author devotes a chapter to sources and venues for selling and donating all kinds of belongings. Recycling helps those letting go of them to feel better knowing someone else will benefit. It also keeps stuff out of the landfill, another feel good benefit. It would be nice, wonderful even, if everyone could afford a senior move manager. As this is not the case, a resource like “Decisive Moves” offers the next best very affordable solution for seniors who need all the help they can get to deal with this challenging transition.
Gretchen Robinson has recently released online the guidebook “Decisive Moves, A Step by Step Guide for Seniors Downsizing into Retirement Living Space.” The guide is based on Ms. Robinson’s eight years of experience helping seniors navigate the journey through the later life move. It is the mission of the guidebook to help seniors and their adult children gain direction and control over the demands of this move and by doing so reduce the anxiety and stress related to it.
Contact information for questions or to purchase the guide:
Website: www.decisivemoves.com
E-mail: gretchen@decisivemoves.com Phone: 319 351 3557
Mobile: 319 331 2062
Contact: Gretchen Robinson
Tel. 319 351 355
Mobile: 319 331 2062
Email: Gretchen@decisivemoves.com
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Each day hundreds of seniors across the country decide it’s time to transition into a retirement community where the living space is greatly diminished but so are the daily demands and responsibilities of home ownership. The supportive, safe environment of a senior community is also a big impetus for those making this later life move. Problem is, letting go of home maintenance, yard work, and big heating bills is easier than facing the daunting task of sorting through and letting go of years of accumulated belongings that fill the house to the brim.
“What are we ever going to do with all this?” is a common refrain uttered by seniors conflicted by this emotionally charged dilemma. Frequently, the answer is--nothing. Immobilization caused by not knowing where to start, what to keep, or how to deal with the large percentage of things not moving with (and truly, the kids don’t want the stuff) can result in a crisis style move at some point down the road precipitated by illness or worse. Unfortunately, control over decisions affecting the when where what and how of the next phase of life can be compromised for seniors who wait for such a scenario. And so goes the “stuff vs. the move” dilemma.
What to do? Accessible, senior tested and approved help is now available online in the form of an 84 page guide not surprisingly titled “Decisive Moves, A Step by Step Guide for Seniors Downsizing into Retirement Living Space.” The guide gets right to the point on its front cover in a cartoon depicting a female downsizer desperately clinging to the china cabinet filled with her grandmother’s place setting for twelve, as her husband stands pencil in hand, making the list of “furniture to move to condo.”
For the last eight years “Decisive Moves” author Gretchen Robinson, with backgrounds in Psychiatric Nursing and Professional Interior Design, has helped seniors take control of this not for sissies downsizing move. Letting go of about seventy percent of one’s belongings is a difficult pill to swallow for many, who have spent a lifetime attaining and attaching to them. “This is no cakewalk” Robinson says, “but a positive, proactive approach and a concrete plan that includes specific solutions, strategies and space planning lessons makes each phase of this move a lot more manageable, a lot less stressful.” The bottom line of course is that none of the stuff in this world goes with its owners to the next. “This is the 'less is more' phase of life, and once that philosophy is embraced, a majority of seniors report loving it!” Robinson says of former clients.
A big proponent of the recycle machine, the author devotes a chapter to sources and venues for selling and donating all kinds of belongings. Recycling helps those letting go of them to feel better knowing someone else will benefit. It also keeps stuff out of the landfill, another feel good benefit. It would be nice, wonderful even, if everyone could afford a senior move manager. As this is not the case, a resource like “Decisive Moves” offers the next best very affordable solution for seniors who need all the help they can get to deal with this challenging transition.
Gretchen Robinson has recently released online the guidebook “Decisive Moves, A Step by Step Guide for Seniors Downsizing into Retirement Living Space.” The guide is based on Ms. Robinson’s eight years of experience helping seniors navigate the journey through the later life move. It is the mission of the guidebook to help seniors and their adult children gain direction and control over the demands of this move and by doing so reduce the anxiety and stress related to it.
Contact information for questions or to purchase the guide:
Website: www.decisivemoves.com
E-mail: gretchen@decisivemoves.com Phone: 319 351 3557
Mobile: 319 331 2062
Contact: Gretchen Robinson
Tel. 319 351 355
Mobile: 319 331 2062
Email: Gretchen@decisivemoves.com
###
Contact
Decisive Moves, LLC
Gretchen Robinson
319 351 3557
www.decisivemoves.com
mobile: 319 331 2062
Gretchen Robinson
319 351 3557
www.decisivemoves.com
mobile: 319 331 2062
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