Helping seniors downsize
The third in a four-part series on services for seniors. “It’s an emotional time,” Jane Guest said.
Guest runs Gentle Move, a company that specializes in downsizing and prepping a home for the real estate market. Many of her clients are West Island seniors moving from their family homes to residences that cater to their needs.
The downsizing connected to a move to a residence can be wrenching.
“A lot of my clients seem to need permission to let go of things,” Kathleen Murphy said. “They grew up in a time of depression, rations, coupons and were told to hold onto everything.”
Murphy runs Organizing Options, a company offering services including organizing, downsizing and senior move management. Although many of her clients are seniors based in the West Island, the initial telephone call for help often comes from adult children, some living in other countries as far away as Mexico and England.
Downsizing and moving requires a good deal of organization and planning. Guest and Murphy are experts on both counts. They understand the delicate dance involved in smoothing a senior’s transition from familiar home to new surroundings.
Murphy has been offering free workshops for seniors and family members — called The Upside of Downsizing — since she launched her business in 2004. (See below for details.)
“The workshop is usually a family affair,” Murphy said. “We talk about what it means to move and what should happen to all the craft stuff, sewing material and children’s mementos.”
Both Guest and Murphy can organize the move from A to Z.
The whole process begins with a visit to the senior’s home.
“It’s an important bonding moment,” Guest said.
No two moves are the same. The amount of stuff that needs to be sorted through, sold or disposed of varies from home to home.
Organizers like Guest and Murphy can plan estate sales for more valuable items and call charities, like the West Island’s NOVA to pick up items to be donated. Donating something special to a charity can ease the sting of separation.
“There is nostalgia,” Murphy said. “And there can be anger, especially if the move is necessary, but not welcome. You approach the situation with empathy.”
Getting top dollar for the senior’s home means creating an ambience that will appeal to the largest number of potential buyers.
Experts in staging, like Guest and Murphy, have an eye for what works and what doesn’t.
“I’ve learned over the years that most people don’t have the imagination to be able to visualize what a space could become,” Guest said.
After the house is sold, organizers visit the new apartment or residence and take note of the square footage.
It’s not uncommon for more downsizing to be done.
Guest charges a flat hourly fee of $68 for seniors 70 years old and older and $75 for people under 70. Upcoming Upside of Downsizing workshops: Oct. 8, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living, 4377. St-Jean Blvd. in Dollard-desOrmeaux. RSVP by Oct. 1 at rsvp@organizingoptions.com, or call 514-402-0709. Oct. 15, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Wellesley, 230 Hymus Blvd. in Pointe-Claire. RSVP by Oct. 8. Nov. 19, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Teapot Senior Citizens Centre, 2901 St-Joseph Blvd. in Lachine. RSVP by Nov. 12. To contact Jane Guest, call 514-999-4357 or visit janeyandco.com. To contact Kathleen Murphy, call 514-402-0709 or visit organizingoptions.com.