Major home clearing and organizing project

When a loved one passes away, their lifetime can be left in their home.

This is a case of extreme nature in this project.

Clearing this home took 3.5 days and the following supplies and resources:
- 2 professional organizers
- 400+ black bags
-  (3) 15 cubic yard dumpsters
- 3 pick-ups of donations by Goodwill of Northwest Ohio: 40, 50, 200 bags
- 80 lbs of new toiletries and unopened foil/baggies/plastic wrap donated to Cherry St Mission
- 3 bankers boxes of new office supplies, along with several plastic bins/drawer systems donated to local elementary school

To view all 24 before and after pictures please visit our Facebook page 

If you know of a loved one who needs help, please contact me and I will work to find a local organizer to help.

Are you a Bag Lady?

Tax season is upon us and my positive thought for you is this means Spring is around the corner. (Yeah!) Now is the time to start gathering up all your paperwork and start planning to fill out your 1040's. The majority of us must file, so let's make it a happy experience.

Jill called me to help gather all of her paperwork together so she can get it to her accountant. Not too difficult of a task, though for Jill who is in her mid 70's and in a wheelchair this could become challenging. She had placed much of her mail in plastic grocery bags. There wasn't too much junk mail to sort through, but gathering all her medical bills and investement sheets took some time.

"I think I've become a bag lady," Jill commented as we opened a drawer in her dresser filled with bags of paperwork. Well, at least none of the papers will be damaged, I assured her plus it made it easy to sort through the papers since they were grouped in months. There wasn't a bag for each month, rather 2-3 months in each bag.

In the end, we had all of her investment papers together, her medical expenses sorted and the housing receipts collected. Jill thanked me for helping her complete this task in just over one hour, which likely would have taken her a full day and exhausted her had she done this on her own. And, she would likely have bags of unneeded papers scattered about her room.

It's tax time. It is what it is.
Complaining about it isn't going to make it better.
And does complaining ever truly help any situation?

So, What's your positive thought about tax season?

What Value Do You Put on Being Organized?

Today's world seems to function as such a crazy, fast pace. It is very easy to lose track of time and things. Just as a little snow ball rolling down Mt. Everest, it slowly builds and builds, and builds ... into this monstrosity of a beast barreling down the slope out of control.

Lack of organization in your home or office begins very small. Maybe its just setting down the mail on the counter as you walk in the door. Perhaps you go change your clothes, start watching TV, or check on your 257 Facebook friends while the mail pile waits. Then you get hungry, make some dinner, get the kids to work on homework, check on Facebook again and get ready for bed.

Waking up in the morning you rush to get everyone out the door on time, grab your keys nearly knocking all of the mail on the floor (geez, that would have been a mess) and dash out to your car.

After a day at work, you nearly get hit by a teenager swerving while texting, you make it safely home. Grab the mail and as you walk into your home ... well, mine as well set it on the counter with the other mail.  You'll get to it later. BAM! Your little organizing snow ball has just begun.

Repeat this cycle a few days and you certainly have an organizing nightmare staring at you every time you get home.  Making feel overwhelmed, stressed and not the happy person you deserve to be.

My fellow professional organizer, John Trosko, who is the founder of OrganizingLA a premier Southern California organizing firm beautifully stated the value of our services:

"Some people wonder why organizers charge so much. Well, our fees are an amazingly value when you compare it to the time, effort & worry you encounter searching for something, not to mention the cost of having to replace an item you can't locate and the discouraging disappointment that comes from this circle. A professional organizer can help you get organized faster and more thorough than doing it yourself."

Being organized is an investment in yourself.

Sure you can focus and bring organization to your home, office and life all on your own.  Though if you are struggling, frustrated and ready to wave a big white flag, find a local professional organizer. We are here to help you love your home and office, again.  Get you out enjoying the fun in life.

What value do you put on enjoying yourself?

Our World Could Use a Few More Charlies

After helping "Charlie" with organizing his garage, he asked me to help his wife get her new apartment ready. I purchased new bedroom furniture, bedding and shower items for "Sandra," then returned to help get all her items put away.

During lunch, Charlie's wife began telling a bit about his life.

Charlie's father was a physicist who was in the US Defense Department working on weapons of mass destruction. Due to his father's responsibilities, Charlie spent his entire childhood under the care of the secret service. Bouncing from home to home, with a new last name each time he moved. WOW!

Sandra continued to tell how he ran off and joined the Marines at age 16. Ranking a Major in the US Marine Corps, Charlie fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. She continued on with stories about their travels and hobbies.
I was in awe!!

Charlie gazed at his wife with such a loving look in his eyes. It was amazing to see a man care so very much about his wife. Not by anything he said or did, just his eyes. Stunning.

Sandra mentioned her back ached a bit. Charlie, speaking very slowly from the effects of his stroke, "Would you like me to arrange for a massage?"

In a flash, Sandra snapped back:
"Oh so now your gonna do something for me.
What the hell would I want anything from you? Your useless."

Charlie simply pursed his lips, nodded to me, his eyes broken.

"Sandra, why don't you eat your lunch so we can finish unpacking your room?" I stated in attempt to skirt what just happened.

Charlie went off for a haircut. Sandra and I went to her new room to get her items unpacked.

Charlie is an amazing man. He has told me he will always love his wife despite what her dementia is doing to her. My respect for Charlie grows with each meeting I have with him.
Hmmm ... funny, I randomly chose Charlie's nickname.
He is more than a good man. Charlie is a great man.

Sometimes what you learn from a stranger is priceless.

What have you learned from someone?

Everyone Loves Big Red Bows

Big red bows are the best. Period.

If you want to set the stage for happiness,
it might be as simple as a big red bow.

As a professional organizer, my goal is to help you love your space again. Whether it is organizing your home, office, garage, basement or junk drawer, my hope is for you to feel better about yourself because you deserve it!

Starting today ... daah da da dah ...

Organized Solutions can arrive at your home with a big red bow on the car. People have purchased gift certificates for friends, family & loved ones and I just haven't felt like we have done anything special to acknowledge or signify this gift.

But hey, I'll bust out the red bow for any occasion that you might feel the need. Heck, just even holding the big red bow makes you feel all tingly inside.

What little thing makes you feel special?

Smiling and Organizing Papers

What a fun day today!! I helped an older woman, "Cathy", sort out and organize some of her papers and boxes she has accumulated in her lifetime. Our goal was to make space in her living area to invite friends to her home. We did not get a before shot because she was so excited to get started, we just forgot. There were boxes and papers all over her sofa, as they were two weeks ago at the inital consult.

When I left the sofa was cleared off and ready for her friends to visit. She ended up with a partially filled box of important personal documents and memorabilia. I took away one large bag to the dumpster and one box of documents to be shredded.

Now, I mentioned lifetime earlier because Cathy had saved her father's paperwork from 1953! Interesting to see all these old documents, however no need to keep these records.

I enjoyed today because I love helping people, especially the elderly. Cathy told me some great stories about some of the items we sorted through. She began to get excited as progess was being made in finding her sofa again. When I finished, she was truly pleased with my help and I felt great knowing I did a good job.

You know, sometimes you come across someone who just makes you smile. I am quite thankful for meeting Cathy.

What did you do for a client that made you feel wonderful?

Transforming a Woman One Breath at a Time

"I want you to help me breathe again."

Such a powerful statement from a "Carol" a hoarder who is ready to make some changes in her home.

Carol tells me she always had a lot of items and knick-knacks around her home. Though when her husband past away several years ago, her home spun out of control. She struggled to let anything go. Empty bottles and boxes piled up, papers began to stack on their own and clothing was everywhere. Carol no longer let anyone into her home.

I was the first in over 5 years.

Carol was extremely nervous about having someone, let alone a professional organizer, enter her home, though she was ready to make some changes. She cautiously showed me through each room, her bedroom and bathroom were off-limits for viewing. Beautiful little home, yeah there was a bit much inside, but as we walked through Carol began to relax a little. She was just thankful to have someone that could help her.

See, Carol was completely overwhelmed at what her home had become. She also understood doing this on her own would not work for her, because it hasn't in the past. As we sat and chatted a bit about how to break down this daunting project into small bits and bites, ways Carol could work on getting organized on her own and be successful.

When I returned 2 weeks later, AMAZING! Carol had her organizing homework assignments done, plus more items for me to remove for recycling. She was so excited to see me, proud of all she had accomplished.

You could see the confidence grow in Carol's eyes, she was sitting taller and smiling. Even got a bit of a chuckle out of her which was awesome!

Because you cannot laugh, if you can't breathe.

What area in your home is choking you?

Good Bye Charlie

Two years ago I had an amazing organizing and senior move client, "Charlie." An amazing man who served his country his entire life and so passionately in love with his wife. Within a few months of his wife death, Charlie passed too. To a wonderful man. Thank you "Charlie" for all you have done:

"Charlie and Sandra" moved into their new senior villa about 8 months ago. Like many times, the move was very quick due to declining health reasons. Charlie and Sandra were unable to prepare or move themselves, and their family was unavailable. They relied on hired movers to pack and get their items to their new home.

Eight months have past and Charlie and Sandra still have a garage packed with items that have never been unpacked. Some items are keepsakes and collections lost amid the piles.







Both Charlie and Sandra use motorized scooters to get around, and all these boxes make it quite challenging. There are paths for them, though ideally these things need to be sorted and removed.

This was going to be another dirty job. Thought I would snap a shot of me in action - Bandana, respirator and ready to get messy. Some people think I'm crazy for doing these really gross projects, and this one was right up there with the best of the worst ones.

Then Charlie returns home after lunch, sees the amazing progress made in his garage and he begins to cry a bit. He tells me a bit of his story, how thankful he is for the amazing life he has had to date and the frustration he is beginning to feel for the loss of his wife whose dementia is becoming quite advanced.








At this point, I begin to forget all the nastiness of my job and I am thankful for being able to make a huge impact in Charlie's life. His garage is cleaned out, keepsakes found and collections safely stored. The majority of items and boxes were damaged and needed to be trashed. Those things that could be used were donated and three crates of canned goods will be taken to Cherry St Mission, a local food bank.

Couple hours into this project I did think to myself:
"I must be nuts for getting involved in this."

Though now looking back, it's projects like this that truly make me realized why I do what I do: Helping people feel better about life.

Why do you do what you do?

All Your Organizing Questions Answered Here!

"Ask an Organizer" is one of the most attended sessions at the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)conference sessions. Yours truly was honored to be one of the 5 awesome women to share our wisdom to our fellow professional organizers. The questions asked were wonderful and shared a great deal of insight into client and business situations.

... which got me thinking ...

What questions YOU may have out there in blog world about organizing, downsizing, sorting, purging, filing, donations, moving, labeling, tossing, keeping, deciding and eating (well not really eating, though I can give my opinion)?

Lately it seems many questions and comments are being left at the Facebook Fanpage of Organized Solutions, which is great. You are invited to join, if you wish. Ask your questions here, there or send me an email. I will answer all your questions ... and I promise to be creative on the ones I have no idea.

So ...

What's your organizing question?

Making Downsizing Easier for Your Family

Being a professional organizer is my business, though my passion is helping your family when the need arises to downsize your loved ones as a senior move manager.

I was delighted when asked by Trish Krebs to be interviewed for Examiner.com. Below is the article or you can go here for the original publication:


Monroe organizer makes downsizing easier
for families of seniors in Michigan

Sorting through a lifetime of items to get favorite pieces into a new, smaller home can be a tricky process for seniors and the families who love them. Angie Weid, owner of Organized Solutions and rocket scientist, knows how to make that transition flow more smoothly for all involved.

With her down-to-earth approach, Angie is a neutral, yet animated guide through the sometimes emotionally-charged situation facing seniors and their adult children as they move. (And with a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, she really is a rocket scientist!)

A member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers, Angie says, "I see where the person is and I listen to where they want to be, then I draw the line between the two." Having a professional organizer like Angie moderate the move process can be especially helpful for seniors who are facing medical conditions that limit mobility and energy, those who have accumulated a lot of treasures over the years, or those who have families that live some distance away.

"Life has a way of creating twists... I have no grandparents of my own, so I treat [my senior clients] as if they were my grandparents," says Angie. "We talk. We share our woes. I listen to my client's wishes and needs, and work to make them come
true."

Based in Temperance, MI, Angie primarily serves clients in Monroe, Lenawee, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties as well as the Toledo, OH area. However, Angie is "always up for organizing adventures" and has traveled as far as Dallas, TX and Chicago, IL to work with clients since opening Organized Solutions in 2004.

In the end, Angie knows she's done her job well for seniors and their families when a client says "Thank you for making my apartment feel like a home."

For more info: Angie Weid, owner of Organized Solutions and rocket scientist, can be reached at (734) 890-1276 or by email at angie@iorganizeyou.com. You can also check out her website, read her blog or find her on Facebook and Twitter. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

Thank you Trish for a great article!
You ROCK!!

What would you like to make easier for your family?

Professional Organizer Q and A

A heartfilled thank you goes out to Rubbermaid for featuring your's truly in their Adventures in Organizing blog.

Timing could not have been more perfect, since I was having one of those "woe is me" single mom moments. If you've been a single mom, you know what I'm talking about.

Here are the questions:

1) How long have you been a professional organizer?
Wow! It was officially 5 years this past September, though my friends and family say I’ve been doing it my whole life.

2) What inspired you to become a professional organizer?
After my career as an engineer at a major auto company, I became a mom and love raising my boys. Life has a way creating twists and unexpectedly found myself divorced. Feeling I was spirally downward, I had a good old fashion pity party. Walking into the woods with a notepad and pen, I began to write all that I had accomplished, beginning with “I can walk.” After a bit of a chuckle, and three pages later, it was clear I love the fun of life. Thought if I was going to start anew, let’s do something fun and help people enjoy life. I shared my business idea with my friends and family who thought it was perfect for me.

3) What is the most common organizing project you’re hired to do?
There are two that stand out. The woman whose home has slowly become cluttered and needs help getting it back on track. We talk about how her home ideally should look and feel to come up with a plan to get it there and maintain it. The other project is helping families downsize their loved ones as a senior move manager. Maintaining the peace amongst family members during this transition can be tricky. Success is when the loved one turns to me and says, “Thank you for making my apartment feel like a home.”

4) What is the most common organizing challenge people have?
The one that pops into my head first is letting go of things that have lost purpose in their lives. At one time, we all have enjoyed every item we have ever owned. There does come a time when your favorite blouse is worn out, your daughter’s amazing first grade artwork is crumbling, family photos are fading and then there is that gift you received from your mom that you just never used. Helping people recognized that their items have served their purpose and it is time to let them go can be a challenge, though the smile on their faces when they sense it’s OK. Priceless.

5) If you had to pick ‘your’ biggest organizing challenge, what would it be?
I’m a single mom, raising two amazing boys, running a business, driving to soccer practice that constantly seems to hear, “Mom, I’m hungry.” My home is constantly drifting toward chaos. Maintaining some balance in my life can be a challenge. I recognize when we must take time and get our home back in shape. Being organized just doesn’t happen, it takes work. Even for this professional organizer.

6) What one tips would you give to people who are trying to get organized?
Set a date on your calendar. If the project is not written down, chances are it will not happen. Once you’ve got your date, do not make the project too big. Better to start with a drawer or shelf, enjoy success and move on to the next part. Getting organized does take time please be patient with yourself and you will be successful.

7) Are you really a rocket scientist?
With B.S. in Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University … yeah, I really am a rocket scientist. Getting organized is not “rocket science” but it sure makes you feel better about your space.

8) How can potential clients get in touch with you?
-They can call me: 734-890-1276
-Send me an email: angie@iorganizeyou.com
-Check out my website: http://www.iorganizeyou.com/
-Read some blog posts: iorganizeyou.blogspot.com
-Become friends on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OrganizedSolutions
-Tweet with me: twitter.com/iorganizeyou

What question would you like me to answer?

Moving MY Mom ... Another Dose of My Own Medicine

Starting to get that thick, coating medicine taste in the back of my throat.

First I got a flavor of organizing with my own garage.
Now, I'm moving my own mother. (serenity now ... serenity now)

Helping families move and downsize their homes is something I do all the time. As a senior move manager, becoming the leader in orchestrating the transition for the family to have their loved ones living in a new home is something I truly enjoy. Taking the stress and conflict out of the moving process.

Well, that is until it's my own mother (who I love very dearly).

Buttons are pushed, dramatics are played out and tensions rise.
Aaahhh!

Family dynamics are a crazy thing, having experienced a bit of frustration, eye-rolling, digressing to being a 10 year old chastised over not putting my toys away. When working with your parents, in a flash your parents forget you are an adult and you forget your parents are struggling with little loss of independence. Maintaining a calm and non-eye-rolling front can become quite a challenge.

All went well in the end. Mom is settling into her new home and I have a new found appreciation for the role of senior move managers. If you are looking for some help in moving your loved ones, check out the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) for a listing of people in your area that can help.

What can make your eyes roll?

Moving Grandma

Transitioning your older family member to a new home is a stressful time. They likely do not want to move. You want them to move for their safety and peace of mind. Then when moving day arrives, chaos can breakout at any moment. Everyone is working toward the good of their loved one.

Melonie, Affinity Merchant Solutions, send me this heartbreaking story about moving a grandmother:

Your services are so VERY important to ease tension and stress which may avoid life altering accidents!

First hand experience at this:
One day "Bill's" family was moving his 93 year old--- YES NINETY THREE year old Grandmother to an assisted living facility/retirement home. She decided that she needed some extra assistance after living alone for the last 10 or so years, so she was putting her house up for sale and downsizing.

They were doing great, Grandma was moving slower, but still getting around on her own. Certainly someone for us all to look up to and admire her strength! Finally she arrived at the assisted living facility and the family and her were unpacking boxes and it was all a little chaotic when BOOM went Grandma and fell down!! SHE BROKE HER HIP, just like that!

After being in the hospital, receiving a hip replacement, going through rehab, etc...Grandma is finally ready to settle in back home...HOWEVER she is no longer in an assisted living place, she had to be moved to skilled nursing facility. Totally different. She never got to spend one night even in her assisted living/retirement place, which I heard was VERY nice. Her new "home" is in a totally different facility across town. Sad that this had to happen. If only they would have hired you for your services.

If you find yourself in the midst of moving a loved one, please take care of their safety. When moving seniors, the best case scenario is to have someone spend the day with them away from the move. Take them out to breakfast/lunch, a movie, the zoo or a friend's home. Anything to keep them away from the moving activity. If this is not possible, most assisted living facilities will occupy the new resident while the moving takes place.

Thank you Melonie for allowing me to share this story.

What is your plan to move your grandma?

Have No Fear, Your Senior Move Manager Is Here

The late, great George Carlin once said,
“A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it.”

When you have to downsize, selling your house is usually not as difficult as dealing with your belongings. Likely your grown children are working full-time, running around to their kids activities and, bottomline, they do not want your items. Because ... well, they have a home full of stuff, too.

Help is available through the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM). This organization (which yours truly is a proud member) is dedicated to assisting older adults and families with the physical and emotional demands of downsizing, relocating, or modifying their homes. A Senior Move Manager understands the difficult experience of moving from a long-time residence and makes that move as stress-free as possible.

The most popular services with NASMM customers are:
1. Un-packing and setting up the new home
2. Move planning and move oversight
3. Sorting services
4. Disposal/distribution of remaining items
5. Packing services
6. Customized floor plans

You may have family member available to help you with your move. Fantastic!
Beware of those deep family buttons that can be pushed, resulting in rising tensions and stress.

Even if you have family or friends who are willing to help you, a Senior Move Manager possesses expertise and experience, providing you with economical and insightful solutions as well as connections to local resources to expedite your move.

The result: No family buttons to be pressed + less tension and less stress = happy move

Bonus side tip: If tensions do begin to rise,
I always tell the family to blame me for all the decisions.
That way peace can remain in the family.

What is your plan to handle all your parent's stuff?

Too Much Stuff

"Things come in, but nothing EVER goes out!" cried "Kathy" as I sat in her home with her husband talking about what can be done to get a grip of their home. They have lived in their home over 30 years, slowly items built up. The time had come to let go.

"I know there is stuff that has not been touched in YEARS," "Bill" exclaimed. We need help to get rid of some of these items. I was ready to help this wonderful couple feel better about their home.

As with all projects (this one or your own), we walked through the home and took notes of any thoughts and comments about each room: items to stay, things to go, what the room should look like when finished.

A bedroom was the first area we needed to conquer. This had become a catch all room for items, some gifts others purpose or function in the home had past. Grabbed a chair for Kathy to sit down and we went to work.

I pulled items out of the closet, she shared a memory and let it go. It was not easy for her, though as we continued to work she began to feel better about what we were accomplishing. "Wow! I had no idea there was that much stuff in this little room that we were not even using anymore." Items were bagged/boxed up and loading into my car for donation. Quick sweep of the floor and the room looked bright and shiny.

The next spare bedroom had a lot of empty boxes that were easily crushed and packed for recycling. Kathy and Bill had gone through the closet and created a "safe area" of clothing to keep.

The remainder was to be donated. The safe area clothing was returned to the closet. Christmas decorations were consolidated into fewer boxes. Personal family memorabilia was set aside for future review. With the extra space in the closet, the luggage was tucked away. Another sweeping of the floor and another bright and shiny room to enjoy. Ready for a family sleepover.

This project was quite a challenge for Kathy. It was quite difficult for her to let go of the items she had accumulated over the years. She wanted to clear up the space and knew she needed a bit of help.

I encouraged them to keep in mind: If a new item comes into the home, an item must leave (2 if they want to gain ground on the clutter battle).

What have you brought into your home and what went out?

Community Hoarding Intervention Coalition (CHIC)

From closets overflowing with unworn clothes to boxes brimming with crafts and knickknacks, experts estimate that nearly 6 million Americans have a hoarding problem that affects their quality of life.


Hoarding means acquiring too much stuff and not wanting to part with it. It can become quite severe and even dangerous, especially for people who live alone and have few visitors.

When a person thinks there is nothing wrong with having a lot of stuff and it’s nobody else’s business anyway, it is very difficult for anyone to help—even family members, who become frustrated and discouraged. However, some people who hoard are able to recognize that they have a problem and need help.

The Southeast Michigan chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers has developed a program to help people who believe their hoarding is out of control but cannot afford to hire an organizer. The Community Hoarding Intervention Coalition (CHIC), organizers donate their time to help the hoarder regain control of the space and the habits that led to the problem.

It is important to note that this program is only for hoarders with “insight" or awareness of the problem. Professional organizers are not licensed mental health professionals, so they are not trained to help people who cannot understand why changes are needed.

Please contact me for more information about this new program.

How are you helping people this year?

Humble Pie

Humble
1: not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
2: reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission
3: ranking low in a hierarchy or scale

Being humble is the defining characteristic of an unpretentious and modest person, someone who does not think that he or she is better or more important than others. The opposite of humility is pride.

Finishing up the biggest month of my business I am beaming with pride for what my boys and I have achieved. I found it quite humbling to end month by helping the "Andersons" move their uncle from an assisted living apartment to a skilled nursing facility. Uncle "John's" dementia had progressed rapidly caring for himself and his 20+ year old cat was lost.

As his sister, niece and myself walked into Uncle John's room, he had no idea we were going to tell him of this move. The family spoke to me about the poor state of his room, though I had no idea the extend until his door swung open.

Like a thick brick wall, I was stopped in my steps. Whew! The smell and clutter of the room was quite bad. Quickly I was introduced and began to mention to Uncle John about moving to a new home. Not knowing how he would react, we were relieved when he thought the idea was wonderful.

The plan was to come back the next day while Uncle John was out for medical treatment. Armed with masks, gloves, bags and boxes, we gathered up all John's personal items. His clothing was bagged to be washed prior to bringing to his new home. Sadly, his cat was taken to be put down.

At Uncle John's new room, all his belongings were set into place. Freshing cleaned clothing ready for his arrival. The family was amazed at how quickly the move went and incredibly thankful for my assistance in making this difficult task easy for them.

"Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all." ~William Temple

I am so thankful the Anderson's turned to me to help them with their uncle. Projects like this one remind me of the importance of helping people every day.

How have you been humbled?

30 Years of Paper

The "Miller" family struggled for years with their father's need to save paper. Not just utility bills and bank statments, He pretty much collected all papers he came across. Beside themselves with frustration, the Millers recognized they needed help.

Prior to seeing the areas in need, we sat down at the dining room table for a chat. As the daughter introduced me to Mr. Miller, you could sense the resentment in him.

"Before we get going, what would you like to know about me?" I asked Mr. Miller.

He proceeded to proudly tell me about his work he used to do. It was pretty cool listening to Mr. Miller go on about his career working in the automotive industry.

"Well, that's where I came from and what I've done," he stated firmly. "So, what creditials do you have to work with me?"

Imagine his surprise when I told him I, too, once worked in the auto industry as an engineer (little smirk on his face, big grin on his daughter's). After a bit more chatting about college, design projects and how things have changed, we were ready to see the project at hand.


Mr. Miller did like his paper. He and I sat down and began sorting through the bags and boxes one by one. Mr. Miller left me to do most of the sorting, while he continued to tell me about stories about his career. About an hour or so, he stated he trusted my judgement and it looked like I could handle this on my own. Mr. Miller then headed downstairs for lunch.

The floor and bed was cleared up in one day, then I came back and finished the second bed and the papers underneath each one. Mr. Miller kinda chuckled thinking I would not look under them. Ended up finding about $700 or so in cash. We chatted a bit about taking a week off to see how things go before moving on to the next area.









When I returned, Mrs. Miller had moved some bags and boxes of papers into the bedroom for me to sort through. Guess, Mr. Miller was moving these bags and boxes to other areas of the home. Most of these items were old maps and pamplets which made sorting go quite quick.

The onto a closet to work on clearing the floor and file cabinet. This area cleared up pretty quickly too.






Time to load up my vehicle. As I worked I sorted into three areas: Shred, Recycle and Trash. Everything was taken from home - trash included. So far, there has been three loads like this removed from Mr. Miller's home.

The majority of papers were dropped off at a local school for their recycling fundraiser (not my boy's school which does not have this program). This dumpster was pretty much filled after my third deposit.

Mr. Miller is not overly excited about removing all the papers, though he does admit it feels and looks much better. Most importantly he says his wife is happier, so that makes him feel good.

I'm hoping that PaperRetriever comes and picks up the load before I return next week or I'll be looking for a new paper recycling dumpster.

What personal connection have you made with an elder?

Life

The beauty of my job is helping people everyday. Sometimes though the help I need to provide is sad.

Back in September I moved a wonderful woman, "Alice," from her condo into an assisted living facility. We worked for 3 days preparing her belongings for the move and sorting out items that had just lost their purpose in her life for donation.
From moving to unpacking and finding her toothbrush, Alice was never alone. She was excited to be in a new community with many people to socialize with her.

Unfortunately, Alice's health has deteriorated due to a rapid progression of dementia and she has moved to a higher skilled facility. Having no family in the area, I was asked to 'unmove' her out of her apartment.

It is sad for me to go through this woman's belongings. Such a vibrant, happy, go-getter kinda chick quickly changes and regresses. My grandmother had dementia and this stirs memories of her.

Alice's personal items were boxed up for a distant relative to handle. Her clothes were sorted for items to be sent to her new home and labelled. The remainder of clothing and household items will be donated.

Please keep a watchful eye on your aging family and friends. Life is a tricky little bugger and so very precious. Take a brief moment to meet with your loved ones and make sure they are doing well. Tell them how you feel and listen to their thoughts.

Yeah they may be driving you up the wall with their rants and raves. Be thankful they know who you are.

Who do you need to listen to?