Gretchen reached out to Sara Jane Organizing because her mother was moving to a nearby senior community. Concerned about her mother’s health, Gretchen felt overwhelmed by the prospect of transitioning her mother from a large home to a small apartment. Since her mother was apprehensive about the move, Gretchen wanted to ensure the transition was as smooth as possible. She had heard about the services offered by Sara Jane Organizing and knew she needed a lot of support. Additionally, she felt guilty about the move and was anxious about the change.
Sara from Sara Jane Organizing met with Gretchen and her mother, Leslie, for an initial consultation. Leslie lived in a 2000+ square foot home and was moving into an 800 square foot apartment after living in her home for roughly 15 years. Throughout that time, she had created many memories, especially taking care of her grandchildren. Over the years, Leslie had accumulated a substantial amount of clutter, including clothes, dishware, craft supplies, paperwork, and toys for her grandkids. Although Leslie was not happy about the move, she acknowledged that, as she aged, she would need more support. While her cognitive abilities were deteriorating slightly, Leslie remained astute, friendly, and had a great sense of humor.
During the tour of Leslie’s home, Sara assessed the situation and developed a plan to move to the senior community while declutteing her home. The first step involved creating a floor plan to help Leslie visualize what would fit in her new space. Leslie indicated which items were essential to take with her, including a sofa, a chair, a few wall hangings, her dining room table, and a credenza. Sara measured these items and incorporated them into the floor plan, allowing Leslie to see where everything would go in the new apartment.
After Leslie reviewed the floor plan and felt comfortable with her choices, Sara and her team examined every drawer, closet, and cabinet to decide what to pack and what to discard or donate.It was important for Leslie to participate in this decision-making process, and consideration of her stamina was vital. To avoid fatigue, they planned several sessions to give Leslie time to adjust between each one.
Once they had sorted and decluttered Leslie’s belongings, Sara and her team were ready to pack everything she was taking with her. Knowing how the new home was laid out, they labeled boxes according to where each item would belong in the new space, making unpacking much easier. Movers would handle the items Leslie was not keeping, either donating them or taking them to the dump, while also transporting her belongings to her new place. They would use the floor plan to ensure everything was placed correctly in the new home.
On moving day, Sara and her team would unpack and organize Leslie’s belongings. With the pre-planned designated spaces, unpacking will be straightforward, and the team will remove all empty boxes immediately. Leslie will settle into her new home in just one day. Meanwhile, they will completely clear out Leslie’s old home and prepare it for sale. Throughout the process, Gretchen will stay informed through all communications but won’t need to participate in the daily activities, which will suit her busy, demanding job.
Sara Jane Organizing executed this plan over the course of one to two months. Leslie was fortunate because she didn’t need to sell her home to finance her new senior apartment, so she was content with the timeline and didn’t feel rushed.
In the end, Gretchen experienced minimal stress. She argued with her mother less because she wasn’t directly managing the move. Instead, she was able to be a supportive and present daughter during this significant transition. Leslie felt empowered throughout the process, making her own decisions without feeling rushed. Ultimately, both Leslie and Gretchen agreed it was the easiest move they had ever experienced!
If you are considering downsizing and moving to a senior community, or if you have a family member who is, we can help. Contact Sara Jane Organizing to schedule a free consultation. We will discuss your project and create a plan together.
