March 15th, 2010
Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash
Vickie Dellaquila is a “professional organizer and senior move manager.” She employs her organizational skills to alleviate some, if not all, of the overwhelming aspects of moving out of a home. For seniors who are moving out a home that they have lived in almost all of their lives, the decision to leave can be sad; those attempting to relocate can be overcome with emotion and this can be debilitating. Even if the move is better for the individual financially, or with regards to his/her safety, there will be an inevitable sense of loss as the senior leaves the spaces where so much of his/her life has been lived. Attachment to a home, and the precious pieces that have gone into making it such, can be expected; moving is never easy regardless of age or circumstances, but for the elder adult it can be terrifying.
Dellaquila uses this guide and workbook to: decide, create, sort and (possibly) move. The work- book is large, easily read and easily worked in; as a tool for organizing and offering direction, it is very effective. Organizing and developing a plan is central to a successful moving experience, but it takes patience, good listening, and sensitivity to implement the plan in a manner that enables the senior to feel safe and remain positive. The goal of those who assist with the process is to lead the elder man or woman to a new home with the memories and special treasures of their life intact.
