Tag: Active Seniors

Posted in New Beginnings

Sharing Our Spaces

Posted on by Lifestyle-by-designs

By opening our homes and sharing their warmth, we spread radiance instead of confining it within closed doors.

Within the sanctuary of our homes, sharing our space with familiar faces brings comfort. However, the intrusion of outsiders, such as unfamiliar cleaners, contractors, or technicians, can disrupt the serenity. Additionally, acquaintances of our partners and friends of our children introduce unforeseen elements that may challenge the established dynamics of our domestic environment.

To fully embrace the presence of spirits, we must refrain from treating them as unwelcome intrusions. By resisting their presence, we impede the natural flow of energy and potentially miss out on the gifts they offer. Alternatively, we can choose to perceive their energy as a valuable exchange and an opportunity for acceptance.

In preparation for their arrival, we can engage in visualization practices. Envisioning a radiant light surrounding our bodies and extending outward from the heart of our homes can help create a welcoming and serene environment. Additionally, we may choose to enhance the atmosphere by playing meditative music or lighting incense, fostering a sense of peace and receptivity.

To alleviate tension for everyone involved, it’s beneficial to securely store our valuables beforehand. Upon their arrival, we can establish and maintain our boundaries by gently guiding them through their visit. This may involve requesting that they remove their shoes, providing a designated area for their tools, and setting an example by speaking softly and avoiding harsh language.

In summary, keep in mind that we gain life lessons through meaningful connections with others. Our homes shouldn’t serve as barriers isolating us from the outside world. Instead, they can transform into welcoming sanctuaries where we embrace and appreciate the presence and gifts of others. By sharing the joy and warmth of our homes, we radiate our inner light rather than concealing it behind closed doors. The more we engage in this practice, the greater the potential for the external world to mirror the peaceful and harmonious environment we have cultivated within our homes.

‘Hospitality is opening your home the same way you open your heart”

Peace & Harmony, Cheryl

Posted in Downsize, Elder Care, Parents

There Are Benefits Of Downsizing

Posted on by Lifestyle-by-designs
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

You spend a large part of your life and hard-earned money on the concept of the American dream, buying and living in your forever home. Your home is a special place, filled with lots of memories, love, and tons of laughter. As you age, you might start asking yourself whether your home works with your changing daily routines and needs. 

To ease challenges and simplify living, you may want to consider downsizing. Downsizing can offer many financial and lifestyle benefits for seniors.

Why Downsize? Downsizing is the idea that your current space is more than you need and moving to a smaller space may fit your future needs better. Minimizing your living space and the amount of stuff you have can lead to less stress, lower living expenses, and a simpler overall life.

What to Look For. Before you downsize, create a list of your needs and wants in a new home. First and foremost, make sure you are moving to a space where you feel safe and comfortable. If you are going from a single-family home to a condo, consider that you will now have neighbors and the style of living will be different, but sometimes different is good and can expose you to new things you would never enjoy if you didn’t downsize.

Also, consider your future health needs. You may no longer want or be able to go up and down the stairs easily, so consider a ranch-style home or a first-floor unit. Ensure you have optimal mobility in your new living space to help prevent accidents and falls.

YOUR FIRST STEP:

Declutter.  As we get older we seem to accumulate a lot of treasures over the years. Moving into a smaller space forces decisions on how to sort through treasures. There are some basic ways to streamline possessions when downsizing:

  • Determine what is going on with you
  • Give items to the adult children
  • Donate
  • Sell
  • Create 4 piles when decluttering  each space – K-T-D-S = KEEP TOSS DONATE SELL

Packing. If the senior and family members are packing up instead of using professional movers, there are a few tips to consider:

  • Pack one room completely before moving on. This means making the more difficult decisions up front without leaving items to decide on late in the process.
  • Pack dishes and glassware with care. Use extra packing paper and wrap each individual piece. Stack dishes vertically, not horizontally. Pad the container’s top and bottom with cloth or towels and mark the box “fragile.”
  • Pack essentials separately. Consider what will be needed in the first week in the new home—examples: medications, toilet paper, shower curtains, towels, and hand soap. Make sure you Label the boxes so that each container does not have to be opened to discover what is inside. Label each box with – WHAT ROOM DOES IT GO, CONTENT believe me as many times as I have moved your friends will appreciate these two bits of information.

Consider a portable storage unit or a moving pod, which will provide a less stressful experience because it can be loaded over time. Make sure when you’re setting a new budget for your new home – you budget this item.

Consider hiring professionals. There are Professional Organizers (like Lifestyle by Design) who specialize in assisting older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation or a transition in your lifestyle.

If you’re looking for guidance beyond this article today, my Coaching Programs can be customized just for you. Book a Complimentary Session to discuss what’s holding you back. I look forward to guiding you on your journey to achieve organized spaces in your home or business.

𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓕𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓵𝔂 𝓞𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓷𝓲𝔃𝓮𝓻, 𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓵

𝑾𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒔!

Call/Text 860.961.6824 or email envisionsdesigns@gmail.com for your free 1/2 hour complimentary consultation.

Let me coach you to transformation by getting rid of Clutter and bringing Clarity to your life. 
Posted in adult children, aging in place, Concierge, Uncategorized

Caregivers: Are You Taking Care Of You In order To Take Care Of Others?

Posted on by Lifestyle-by-designs

elderly couple 1

15 Tips for reducing stress and promoting health for family and friends who providing the caregiving:

 

  1. Take a break from caregiving.
  2. Make a date to go to the movies, take a walk, meet a friend for lunch. Everyone needs to get out of the house once in a while.
  3. Do something not related to caregiving.
  4. Get support. Attend a support group, have a friend you can call just to let off steam and complain.
  5. Depression is treatable. Talk to your doctor about it. Or seek counseling.
  6. Practice communication and behavior management skills if you are caring for someone with dementia.
  7. Relax. Read a book, meditate, pray, garden, knit, get a massage, take a long bath.
  8. Take care of your health. Go to the doctor, get routine exams and flu shots, get enough sleep and eat your fruits and vegetables.
  9. Change “guilt” to “regret.” Guilt means you did something wrong, regret is that you are in a difficult situation and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, but they are not wrong.
  10. Forgive yourself — often.
  11. You cannot be a perfect caregiver, all day, every day.
  12. Laugh. Find ways to keep your sense of humor by sharing a silly story with a friend, watching a funny show or movie, or join a group to try laughter yoga exercises.
  13. Exercise. Walk around the neighborhood. Or even better, recruit a friend to walk with you.
  14. Sign up for an online or in-person yoga class. Join a Zumba class or line dancing class.
  15. Ask for and accept help when offered.
  16. No one can do this alone.

Isn’t it time you finally enjoyed life and let someone else handle the rest?

Today’s lifestyles are far too hectic to get everything done yourself. The idea of being a superhero adult is simply a fantasy. The reality is you work hard for what you have, and your free time should be spent recharging your batteries and enjoying your life. That’s where CC Home Concierge Co. comes in.

A concierge is much more than simply an assistant person. It’s someone who is a home manager, home organizer and an organizer of time, a person who fully understands that you work hard and has very little time to take care of all the non-priority tasks that take over your To-Do lists.

CCHC services are personalized to your specific requirements, and ultimately end up saving you both time and money.

Peace & Harmony ~ Cheryl